The Lemon IndexAll carsFordCrown Victoria2008
200720092nd generation
Not enough data. Only 9 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota Avalon 2872008 Chevrolet Impala 702008 Nissan Maxima 43
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V704000 (steering), 13V385000 (steering) and 07V270000 (suspension) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Ford sent dealers 18 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The lower intermediate steering shaft, has corrosion of swing link joints, combined with…”?
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 9 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 4K to 39K miles (8K to 64K km) on the car (7 of all 9 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
2008 Ford Crown Victoria. Consumer states unintended acceleration and no response to brake pedal.
2008 Ford Crown Victoria owner · NHTSA complaint 10314349
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 18 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The lower intermediate steering shaft, has corrosion of swing link joints, combined with…
- Swing link joints on lower intermediate steering shaft, has corrosion, and combined with…
- For 2005-2012 Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Grand Marquis and Town Car vehicles, Regional Program…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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,…
- Suspension · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.
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 steering control2013
- ClosedLoss of steering control2012–2013
- ClosedTire valve cracking2008–2009
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 $3,350 (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. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-crown-victoria/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Ford Crown Victoria reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Ford Crown Victoria problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (33%), steering (22%) and seat belts (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria have?
3 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
What Ford Crown Victoria year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
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