Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 2005 Ford Cvpi with NHTSA between 2005 and 2014.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Ford Cvpi. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 66
39% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2005 Ford Cvpi
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Lights
731.8%
Median failure at 72,356 miles
Wheels
418.2%
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Brakes
313.6%
Median failure at 71,200 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
29.1%
Median failure at 17,809 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
29.1%
Median failure at 5,147 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
14.5%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.5%
Median failure at 13,700 miles
Steering
14.5%
Median failure at 58,741 miles
Electrical System
14.5%
Median failure at 128,925 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
15.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
211.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
316.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
15.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
527.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
211.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
211.1%
150,000+ miles
211.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2005peak 3Apr 2014
NHTSA investigations into the 2005 Ford Cvpi
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA13004Opened 26 Apr 2013Closed 15 Nov 2013STEERING:COLUMN
Loss of Steering Control
In its recall notice dated August 26, 2013, Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified NHTSA of a safety defect condition that may result in loss of steering in approximately 355,000 model year (MY) 2005 through 2011 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant, MY 2005 through 2007 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at the Wixom Assembly Plant, and certain MY 2008 through 2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant and that are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illino...
EA04034Opened 21 Dec 2004Closed 8 Mar 2007WHEELS
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
FRACTURE (CRACKING) OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE (SV) WHEEL, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED UNDER PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE03-009 (SAFETY RECALL 03V-279), OCCURS IN THE MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003 TO 2005 POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES ONLY; CIVILIAN SPECIFICATION AND OTHER MY VEHICLES ARE UNAFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.FOR THE AFFECTED SUBJECT WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK OCCURS IN THE HEAT AFFECTED ZONE OF THE RIM MATERIAL ADJACENT TO THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD THAT ATTACHES THE RIM TO THE OUTBOARD WHEEL DISC.THE CRACK INITIATES UNDER THE OUTBOARD TIRE BEAD NEAR THE HEEL (WHERE AIR LEAKAGE CANNOT BE ASSURED) AND...
RQ04007Opened 2 Aug 2004Closed 20 Dec 2004WHEELS
FRACTURE OF THE STEEL WHEEL RIM
DURING A SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 MEETING AND IN SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS IN NOVEMBER, FORD ADVISED THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THEIR PLANS TO INTRODUCE AN IMPROVED STEEL WHEEL FOR MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE COMPONENT USE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, INDICATING THIS WOULD OCCUR IN DECEMBER 2004.THE NEW WHEEL DESIGN INCORPORATES AN ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURING PROCESS (SHOT PEENING) WHICH LOWERS TENSILE STRESS IN THE SURFACE LAYER OF THE RIM MATERIAL ADJACENT TO THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL WELD. THEORETICALLY THIS SHOULD IMPROVE RIM DURABILITY BY REDUCING FATIGUE CRACK INITIATION SITES.INDICATIONS FROM...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 168,999 milesTemple, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS DRIVING FOR APPROX. 5 MIN AND MY HEADLIGHTS JUST CUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TURNED THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF AND STILL NO HEAD LIGHTS. THE PARK LIGHTS WOULD WORK JUST FINE. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME USING MY BRIGHT LIGHTS. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS WALKING BECAUSE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THEM AT ALL. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE THAT COST OVER $600 JUST FOR THE PART.
NHTSA complaint #10584825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,741 milesWestford, MA
STEERING
LOW SPEED STEERING FAILURE. COULD NOT CONTROL STEERING AT LOW SPEED. - STEERING WHEEL RESISTED MOVEMENT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO FORD DEALER AND FOUND THAT 5W1Z*3B676*AA STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY WORN CAUSING STEERING/CONTROL PROBLEM. ORIGINAL OWNER WITH FORD EXTRA CARE WARRANTY - REPAIR NOT COVERED AT $538.63. HISTORY OF STEERING FAILURES ON THESE VEHICLES - FORD SHOULD RECALL/REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS. I SPOKE TO A FORD ESP REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT NO MATTER HOW MANY FAILURES OCCUR, REGARDLESS OF ACCIDENT OR INJURY, FORD DOES NOT MONITOR NON-FORD WEBSITES FOR FREQUENCY OF FAILURES. IF THE FREQUENCY OF FAILURE, ACCIDENT, INJURY OR FATALITIES IS HIGH ENOUGH, THEY WILL ISSUE RECALL AND REIMBURSE COST OF REPAIRS MADE AT FORD DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10503669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,700 milesJackson, MS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 CROWN VIC HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORKS ON HIGH.
NHTSA complaint #10427139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,700 milesJackson, MS
VISIBILITY
I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 CROWN VIC HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORKS ON HIGH.
NHTSA complaint #10427139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,925 milesNEW Bedford, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING VEHICLE...HEADLAMPS TURNED OFF ON THEIR OWN...PROBLEM TRACED TO LAMP CONTROL MODULE...PROBLEM WITH THIS PART HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA PREVIOUSLY...FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAILURES OF THIS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10406402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,356 milesScammon, KS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING A 2005 CROWN VICTORIA IN THE EARLY AM (IT WAS DARK) ON A CITY STREET WITHOUT STREET LIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. STOPPED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. TURNED LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON. ALL LIGHTS EXCEPT THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED. EXPERIMENTED WITH THE LIGHT SWITCH AND TURN SIGNAL LEVER. DISCOVERED THE BRIGHTS WORKED WHEN PULLING THE LEVER (MANUAL OPERATION OF THE BRIGHTS). AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED THEMSELVES BACK ON. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY REPORTED LATER IN THE DAY THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND THAT WAS WRONG. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND WAS OVERWHELMED WITH HITS. WHEN I GOT THE CAR AFTER WORK I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF ANYONE ELSE HAD ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM. AT FIRST HE WAS RELUCTANT BUT AFTER INFORMING HIM I HAD GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND HAD DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD HAPPENED TO OTHERS. AT THAT POINT HE DID TELL ME THAT THEY HAD OTHER CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME (OR SIMILAR) PROBLEM. TO CORRECT IT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE LCM (LIGHT CONTROL MODULE). WHICH COSTS $511.00 PLUS LABOR AND TAX. (I DID NOT DO IT AT THAT TIME) THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT BEEN AS CALM AS I WAS AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE VERILY EASILY OCCURRED. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE/PART. WHY NOT?
NHTSA complaint #10363022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesGalveston, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULES ON FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE CARS. LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. WE HAVE HAD APPROXIMATELY 15 OF THESE FAIL IN OUR AREA WHICH ONLY INVOLVES 4 POLICE AGENCIES. WE HAVE HAD 2 UNEXPLAINED FATALITIES IN FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTORS WHICH OCCURRED AT NIGHT WHILE RUNNING LIGHTS AND SIRENS. THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND AN ENGINEER IN CANADA TOLD ME TO PUSH ON THE BOX LOCATED ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT. WHILE DOING THIS THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. TAKE FOOT OFF THEY GO OUT. FORD WILL NOT RECONIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT WARRANTY THIS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAD 30000 MILES ON IT AND 3YRS 2 MONTHS OLD. COST US $690.00 FOR REPAIRS
NHTSA complaint #10322795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesEnoka, MN
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD CVPI. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE HAD BEGUN TO SHOW SIGNS OF RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING NHTSA RECALL #07V079000 COMPONENT: WHEELS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO HIS VEHICLES VIN NUMBER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 172000.
NHTSA complaint #10318607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesSanford, MI
WHEELS
LINGERING PROBLEM WITH 2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR WITH SUSPECTED CRACKED WHEELS. VEHICLE HAS ALL SYMPTOMOLOGY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED FOR THE 2005 MY IN 08/2004. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V079000 . FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10303278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,453 milesRaleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURED RESULTING IN NO POWER BRAKING ASSIST.
NHTSA complaint #10290133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesRaleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WAKEMED POLICE DEPARTMENT OWN SEVERAL CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES. TWO OF THE VEHICLES, MY 2005, HAVE DEVELOPED WORN AREAS (AND SUBSEQUENT HOLES) ON THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE LEADING TO THE BRAKE CALIPER. THESE DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED AFTER THE VEHICLES LOST POWER BRAKE ASSIST IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DURING PATROL OPERATIONS. THE OTHER THREE BRAKE LINES ON EACH VEHICLE SHOW NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SUCH WEAR. WHILE IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THERE ARE ANY COMPONENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE LINE, IT SEEMS AS IF THE LIKELY POINT OF CONTACT IS THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM.
NHTSA complaint #10273775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,200 milesRaleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WAKEMED POLICE DEPARTMENT OWN SEVERAL CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES. TWO OF THE VEHICLES, MY 2005, HAVE DEVELOPED WORN AREAS (AND SUBSEQUENT HOLES) ON THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE LEADING TO THE BRAKE CALIPER. THESE DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED AFTER THE VEHICLES LOST POWER BRAKE ASSIST IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DURING PATROL OPERATIONS. THE OTHER THREE BRAKE LINES ON EACH VEHICLE SHOW NO EVIDENCE OF ANY SUCH WEAR. WHILE IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THERE ARE ANY COMPONENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE LINE, IT SEEMS AS IF THE LIKELY POINT OF CONTACT IS THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM.
NHTSA complaint #10273777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,500 milesLangsville, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON I HAVE TO KICK THE LCM (LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE). IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE DAILY, SOMETIMES MORE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS TO SEVERAL OTHER POLICE CRUISERS IN THE COUNTY.
NHTSA complaint #10261495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF. FAILURE IS INSIDE THE MULTIFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. PROBLEM BEGAN WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL FLASHING VERY FAST REPEATEDLY AND THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF. THE LIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES NOT TURN BACK ON. SECOND INCIDENT. SWITCH PREVIOUSLY REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10221794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON 2 SEPARATE POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER FAIL RESULTING IN HESITATION, STALLING AND LACK OF POWER. PUMP AND FILTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANED.
NHTSA complaint #10221786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF. FAILURE IS INSIDE THE MULTIFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. PROBLEM BEGAN WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL FLASHING VERY FAST REPEATEDLY AND THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF. THE LIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES NOT TURN BACK ON. SECOND INCIDENT. SWITCH PREVIOUSLY REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10221794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, AL
WHEELS:RIM
2005 FORD CVPI - OUR MUNICIPAL POLICE AGENCY OWNS A FLEET OF APPROXIMATELY 150 CVPI'S THAT HAVE RUSTING RIMS. THE PROBLEM BEGINS WITH THE FINISH SEEMINGLY DISAPPEARING WITH CLEAN METAL VISIBLE THAT EVENTUALLY RUSTS OVER. THE LOCAL DEALER REPORTS NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM. WAS CURIOUS TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND WHAT SAFETY ISSUE THIS MAY POSE IF THE RIMS CONTINUE TO RUST?
NHTSA complaint #10205540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,809 milesMadison, WI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR STALLING AND LACKING POWER. FAILURE DURING CRIMINAL PURSUIT. PLUGGED FUEL PUMP PICKUP SOCK/FILTER. THIRD PUMP ON THIS VEHICLE IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. MANUFACTURE WARRANTY, BUT OUT OF SERVICE FOR REPAIR. HAVE REPLACED, OR HAD REPLACED BY DEALER OVER 100 PUMPS ON 2003,2004, AND 2005 MODEL YEAR CROWN VIC'S.
NHTSA complaint #10164181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,850 milesMiddlebury, VT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON A 2005 FORD CVPI, OPERATOR ACCELERATED. WHEN SHE HIT THE BRAKE TO SLOW, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE RELEASED THE BRAKE, ENSURING THAT SHE HAD HER ENTIRE FOOT OFF AND AWAY FROM BOTH PEDALS, AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. ONLY AFTER STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH TWO FEET, DID THE ACCELERATOR RELEASE. HAD THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ANOTHER 100 YARDS, SHE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL ON A SHARP CURVE AND CRASHED.
NHTSA complaint #10143395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesAmherst, NY
WHEELS:RIM
WELD FAILURE ON POLICE CAR STEEL WHEEL SIMILAR TO THAT EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2004 WHEELS. WELD FAILURE CAUSED AIR LEAK AND FLAT TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10142746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesVA Beach, VA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
I HAD RENTED A BRAND NEW 2005, FORD CROWN VICTORIA. AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 74 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE HOOD WAS VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY. I PULLED OVER, PULLED THE HOOD LATCH RELEASE CABLE AND OPENED THE HOOD. THE HOOD LATCH RELEASE WAS READY TO FALL OFF. ONE BOLT WAS MISSING AND THE OTHER BOLD WAS READY TO FALL OUT. HAD THE BOLT FALLEN OUT, THE HOOD WOULD HAVE FLOWN OPEN. I HAND TIGHTENED THE REMAINING BOLT AND SHUT THE HOOD. BECAUSE THE LATCH WOULD MOVE WHEN I SHUT THE HOOD, I WAS ONLY ABLE TO LATCH IT ON THE SECONDARY LATCH. I SLOWLY DROVE BACK TO THE RENTAL AGENCY AND RETURNED THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10113997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 445 milesLiberty, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MERGING FROM A SECONDARY ROAD ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AT SUCH A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THAT OPERATOR LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ACCELERATION CONTINUED AND VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND DESPITE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. VEHICLE RAN OFF ROADWAY AND SUSTAINED FRONT END AND UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10112111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.