2011 Ford Crown Victoria Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering1238.7%
- Interior & seats412.9%
- Suspension412.9%
- Engine39.7%
- Powertrain (other)26.5%
- Body & structure13.2%
- Visibility13.2%
- Brakes13.2%
- Electrical13.2%
- Exterior lighting13.2%
- Other / unspecified13.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I learned of recall on some models of crown victoria police interceptor. I own 3 such vehicles. Two were identified for recall, the third a 2011 however was not. This car has signs of steering issues very hard to turn the wheel at times. There is rust on the lower intermediate steering shaft and at the u joints of the shaft. When I took the other vehicles in for recall servicing I provided the vin # for the 2011 and was informed that there was no recall for it. I am hoping that the recall can be expanded to include this vehicle which is showing some signs of steering shaft issues.
Vehicle is exhibiting stiff steering issues associated with steering column. Mechanic determined steering shaft requires replacement. This vehicle was already involved in a steering column recall several years ago however the problem appears to have returned.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUED ME A 2011 FORD CROWN VICTORIA AROUND SEPTEMBER OF 2011. EVER SINCE, I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS ADJUSTING THE SEAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP MY MID-LOWER BACK FROM HURTING. I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A METAL BAR INSTALLED IN THE SEAT CAUSING THE ISSUES. ONCE THE BAR IS ADJUSTED, THE SEATS AREN'T AS BAD. I ALSO HAVE HAD A GREAT AMOUNT OF TROUBLE WITH NECK PAIN. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO SEE A DOCTOR ABOUT THIS. THE HEAD RESTS THAT ARE IN THE VEHICLE ARE CAUSING MY HEAD TO BE PUSHED FORWARD AND STRAINING THE MUSCLES IN MY NECK. I'M SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THIS HASN'T ALREADY BEEN A RECALL FOR FORD. *TR
THE HEADRESTS ON THE 2011 FORD CROWN VICTORIA ARE CAUSING THE OFFICERS TO HAVE NECK PROBLEMS. THE HEADREST IS SO LARGE AND DOES NOT ADJUST FORWARD AND BACKWARD, IT IS PUSHING THEIR HEADS FORWARD AND DOWN, AS YOU KNOW THEY SPEND AT LEAST 8 HOURS IN THEIR VEHICLES EACH SHIFT. SINCE WE HAVE PURCHASED THE 2011 CROWN VICS WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS. IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE FOR THE OFFICERS TO BE DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR,THE RITE FRONT WHEEL IS MAKING POPING SOUNDS.
STEERING THIS CAR WAS A NIGHTMARE ALWAYS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ALSO BRAKES CONSTANTLY GRABBING AND SCREECHING. ALSO HEADLIGHT AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR FROM START BUT WAS SLAMMED INTO BY DEALERSHIP AND CHASE... I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN 76 YEARS OLD. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown
THE ENGINE JUST EJECTED THE #7 SPARK PLUG WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON CITY, PUBLIC ROADS AND CAUSED THE CAR TO DANGEROUSLY AND SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN. THE CAR JUST BEHIND ME HAD TO MANEUVER TO AVOID ME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown
CAR STALLS WHEN IN HIGH SPEED PASSING GEAR. TURNS OVER, WILL NOT RESTART. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THIS MODEL HAS A HISTORY OF THIS EVENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I LIVE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND IN MAY 2013, I PURCHASED A FORMER WISCONSIN POLICE VEHICLE, 2011 CROWN VICTORIA FROM VAN HORN MOTORS OF MILWAUKEE IN WISCONSIN. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, AFTER DISCOVERING RUST PARTICLES ON MY GARAGE FLOOR, I NOTICED THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, MUFFLERS AND BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY COVERED IN RUST. THIS PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP VIA EMAILS WITH NUMEROUS PHOTOS ATTACHED. NO REPLY WAS EVER RECEIVED, NOR WAS THIS PROBLEM MADE AWARE TO ME EITHER BY LANDLINE, EMAIL OR ANY OTHER FORM OF COMMUNICATION. IN JULY AND PART OF AUGUST 2013, I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO PHYSICALLY WASH, WIRE BRUSH, SAND, PRESSURE WASH, PRIME AND PAINT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. SINCE I HAD TO THIS WHILE LYING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THE WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ME FIVE DAYS TO COMPLETE AND APPROXIMATELY $250.00 IN EQUIPMENT USAGE, PURCHASES AND LABOR. BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, EITHER FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY AND/OR FORD MOTORS, HOW I CAN PLEASE BE REIMBURSED? *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOWER REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER TAB DISCONNECTS FROM GLASS, AND DOES NOT STAY PERMANENTLY ATTACHED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING THIS CAR WAS A NIGHTMARE ALWAYS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ALSO BRAKES CONSTANTLY GRABBING AND SCREECHING. ALSO HEADLIGHT AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR FROM START BUT WAS SLAMMED INTO BY DEALERSHIP AND CHASE... I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN 76 YEARS OLD. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WORKS SOMETIMES BUT BLINKS RAPIDLY MOST OF THE TIME. NO BULBS ARE BURNED OUT. SOMETIMES THE DASH LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AND THEN THE DASH LIGHTS COME BACK ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES THE DASH LIGHTS COME BACK ON EVEN WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON BUT THE DASH LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. IT IS BECOMING MORE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN YOU CAN'T COUNT ON THE DASH LIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS WORKING. FORD HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS YEAR HAVING A BAD LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CROWN VICTORIA YEARS 2003 THROUGH 2005. MY CAR HAS 111,566 MILES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE PACKAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT RIMS WOULD BECOME CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,900. ...UPDATED 12-23-13 *BF
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .