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Ford Crown Victoria — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford Crown Victoria model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
32
Years to Avoid
2003, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992
Best Years
2011, 2010, 2009, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980
2011Best Year
32 complaints2 recalls21 TSBs
2010Best Year
14 complaints2 recalls21 TSBs
2009Best Year
59 complaints2 recalls18 TSBs
2008
64 complaints3 recalls3 invest.18 TSBs
2007
74 complaints4 recalls4 invest.23 TSBs
2006
65 complaints3 recalls3 invest.29 TSBs
2005
239 complaints6 recalls7 invest.44 TSBs
2004
175 complaints3 recalls6 invest.63 TSBs
2003Avoid
302 complaints7 recalls9 invest.118 TSBs
2002
71 complaints5 recalls3 invest.88 TSBs
2001
70 complaints7 recalls7 invest.124 TSBs
2000
103 complaints10 recalls5 invest.145 TSBs
1999Avoid
174 complaints8 recalls7 invest.196 TSBs
1998Avoid
138 complaints10 recalls9 invest.218 TSBs
1997Avoid
340 complaints11 recalls10 invest.167 TSBs
1996Avoid
358 complaints12 recalls10 invest.157 TSBs
1995Avoid
318 complaints12 recalls7 invest.118 TSBs
1994
252 complaints7 recalls4 invest.80 TSBs
1993
247 complaints9 recalls10 invest.82 TSBs
1992Avoid
482 complaints9 recalls10 invest.69 TSBs
1991
70 complaints4 recalls2 invest.37 TSBs
1990
58 complaints3 recalls3 invest.37 TSBs
1989
86 complaints2 recalls3 invest.28 TSBs
1988
49 complaints2 recalls2 invest.27 TSBs
1987
48 complaints4 recalls3 invest.25 TSBs
1986
35 complaints1 recalls3 invest.22 TSBs
1985Best Year
24 complaints0 recalls2 invest.21 TSBs
1984Best Year
8 complaints1 recalls2 invest.12 TSBs
1983Best Year
8 complaints2 recalls2 invest.7 TSBs
1982Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1981Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1980Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford Crown Victoria Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2003, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992 Ford Crown Victoria are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford Crown Victoria, consider the 2011, 2010, 2009, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

32 model years analyzed