The Lemon IndexAll carsFordCrown Victoria2005
20062nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: lights
Better years to buy
28 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota Avalon 1002005 Chevrolet Impala 812005 Nissan Maxima 130
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria
- Headlights80 complaintsmostly at 58,000–110,000 miles (93,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,400 and 53,000 miles (12,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V861000 (lights), 14V704000 (steering) and 13V385000 (steering) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Ford sent dealers 44 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 28 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 53K miles (12K to 85K km) on the car (24 of all 28 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, a growling noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. It was driven to an independent repair shop who determined the rear axle was worn and was replaced.
2005 Ford Crown Victoria owner · NHTSA complaint 10168611
More owner reports
Right rear axle broke at hub with whee,l causing vehicle to coast to a stop.
NHTSA complaint 10185659
1995 Ford Crown Victoria [xxx] upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Tie rod and pitman arm replaced. Gas tank leaks. Moisture on piston which threw a rod and broke block. Headlight lenses turned dark orange.
NHTSA complaint 10121726
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 44 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning…
- Un-commanded tcc apply on the 1-2 shift causing perception of hesitation and/or lack of power…
- The forward clutch cylinder in the transmission may crack at the snap ring groove location…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Lights · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.
- Steering · recall issued 2014
The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
- Steering · recall issued 2013
The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,…
Show all 6 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Electrical · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.
- Electrical · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN POLICE INTERCEPTORS (CVPI) AND COMMERCIAL HEAVY DUTY (TAXI) VEHICLES, AT EXTREMELY HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES, THE SOUND INSULATING PANEL, LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND T…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Ford Crown Victoria recall, all years · All Ford recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of headlamp/exterior lighting2015
- ClosedLoss of headlights2015–2016
- ClosedSteering column shaft obstruction2014
- ClosedLoss of steering control2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Ford Crown Victoria year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-crown-victoria/?y=2005" title="Ford Crown Victoria reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-crown-victoria/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Ford Crown Victoria reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 63; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Crown Victoria year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Crown Victoria problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (25%), transmission & drivetrain (21%) and speed control (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria have?
6 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria get?
16 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Crown Victoria problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,400 and 53,000 miles (12,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 28 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Ford Crown Victoria year than the 2005?
Not nearby: the 2005 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford Crown Victoria years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2011 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works