2003 Ford Cvpi
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2003 Ford Cvpi. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2003 Ford Cvpi. Newest first.
On certain police vehicles equipped with steel wheels, some of the wheels may develop cracks in the rim near the weld line that connects the rim to the disk.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The cracks can ultimately result in rapid air loss from the tire and could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the four road wheels and spare wheel based on the wheel part number. the recall began on march 15, 2007. owners should contact ford at 1-800-343-5338.
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 the underbody, could sag and possibly contact the surface of the catalytic converter.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this occurs, the insulator might experience charring of the outer layer, burning odor, or smoke which may ultimately result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the existing dash insulator and install a revised design insulator pad free of charge. the recall began on june 3, 2005. owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
On certain police and taxi vehicles equipped with steel wheels, some of the wheels may develop cracks in the rim near the weld line that connects the rim to the disk.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The cracks can ultimately result in rapid air loss from the tire and could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the four road wheels and spare wheel with the manufacturing date codes of august 18, 2001 through september 22, 2002. in addition, ford IS providing extended warranty coverage for wheels on 2003 crown victoria police interceptor and taxis built from october 1, 2002 through april 29, 2003. these wheels are exhibiting cracks at a substantially lower rate than those wheels included in the recall. owner notification began on august 8, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
In order to enhance police office safety, model year 1992-2003 crown victoria police interceptor (cvpi) vehicles will be equipped with shields designed to help protect the fuel tank in high-speed rear-impact crashes. ford also will be offering an optional trunk package designed to improve the safe transport of sharp-edged, heavy equipment in these vehicles.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Some high-speed rear-impact crashes have resulted in fuel tank punctures and fires in cvpi vehicles.
Remedy
Ford has advised us that shield kits have been available since late october and will be installed on police interceptor vehicles at no cost. the optional trank package will be available by the end of 2002. ford has established a new web site at www.cvpi.com to answer additional questions about the safe use of cpvi vehicles.
Owner complaints
78 complaints1 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires · Wheels
Air leaks out the back wheel every day after fill up gas it smells like gas inside car. *tr
- Steering · Wheels
I just read about the steering column recall on the crown vic, cvpi, and grand marquis 2005-2011 and I am not sure why the 2003-2004 models are not included. They have the same issues described in this recall. I had my 2003 cvpi in the shop less than a month ago due to some steering issues I'm…
I just read about the steering column recall on the crown vic, cvpi, and grand marquis 2005-2011 and I am not sure why the 2003-2004 models are not included. They have the same issues described in this recall. I had my 2003 cvpi in the shop less than a month ago due to some steering issues I'm having (a lot of noise during driving and while turning) and the outcome was that my car needs a steering column flex coupler (shaft, lower) and the lower ball joint (control arm) also needs replaced due to excessive corrosion. So again, I'm asking why it's not part of the recall? Also, I'm having the same issues with my tires that a lot of other cvpi owners are having concerning the cracks in the rims. My tires only have a few thousand miles on them and I'm having to put air in the passenger rear tire about once a week due to loss of air pressure. (I'm losing about 20 psi a week on average). The tires have been checked and are fine. *jb
- Wheels
I have steel wheels on my 2003 crown vic I received a recall notice from ford motor company stating that my wheels were part of a safety recall, the wheels are prone to welds breaking and rusting making them loose air and impossible to balance why steering wheel shakes I have had different tires…
I have steel wheels on my 2003 crown vic I received a recall notice from ford motor company stating that my wheels were part of a safety recall, the wheels are prone to welds breaking and rusting making them loose air and impossible to balance why steering wheel shakes I have had different tires and multiple shops balance the wheels they are not able to, also they loose air all the time. I contacted ford about this issues where I was told because I am not a police department they will not be able to honor the recall, they say its only for cars in police use. Im concerned as theses wheels have been used by the prior owner aka a police force making the cars wheels unsafe for me for wants me to pay to get new wheels at a cost of over 500 dollars I just want them to honor the recall as the wheels are certainly unsafe. *tr
- Exterior lighting · Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights go off while driving. Lcm IS bad, $500.00 for part. Very very dangerous situation. I was expecting to see a recall notice. This IS the second lcm for me! *kb
- Exterior lighting
I just purchases and took possession of a 2003 ford crown victoria police interceptor. I drove the vehicle for a couple days during daylight hours with no issues. However, on the first night I drove the vehicle (well after sunset) I experienced numerous occurrences of the headlights going out…
I just purchases and took possession of a 2003 ford crown victoria police interceptor. I drove the vehicle for a couple days during daylight hours with no issues. However, on the first night I drove the vehicle (well after sunset) I experienced numerous occurrences of the headlights going out completely for extended periods of time (ranging from several seconds to several minutes). The only way I was able to continue driving the vehicle was to hold the high/low beam switch in the high beam position. If I were on an unlit road this situation could have easily resulted in a vehicle crash, potentially damaging or destroying the vehicle and injuring or killing myself and/or any nearby pedestrians. I have seen the closed investigation #pe08066, which states that the reason this issue was closed IS because it has not resulted in a death. Being a volunteer fire fighter and emergency medical responder, I do not consider this to be an acceptable reason for closing such an obvious safety issue. I have learned that the cost to replace the defective circuitry IS upwards of $500+ for the part alone, not including labor costs. *tr
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting
2003 crown victoria, headlights stop working while driving. It appears I need to replace the lighting control module (lcm). I see from internet searches that many many have had this same problem.this part IS almost $600 from ford. It appears that ford has a safety issue here that they are avoiding.…
2003 crown victoria, headlights stop working while driving. It appears I need to replace the lighting control module (lcm). I see from internet searches that many many have had this same problem.this part IS almost $600 from ford. It appears that ford has a safety issue here that they are avoiding. I'm surprised that no recall IS in effect. At least ford should offer some goodwill support to their customers by lowering the price of this part.... *tr
- Electrical system
The vehicle's headlights shut themselves off randomly while the headlights are in use. intermittently, the lights will fail to turn on when the switch IS turned on. these events have become increasingly frequent to the point that now the lights will fail several times on every night trip. hitting a box called the "lighting control module" may encourage the lights to turn back on temporarily. *Tr
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford crown victoria cvpi. While driving 10 to 60 mph the headlights would shut off intermittently at night. There were no warning lights illuminating before the headlights failed. As the vehicle was being driven onto the side of the road sometime the lights would come…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford crown victoria cvpi. While driving 10 to 60 mph the headlights would shut off intermittently at night. There were no warning lights illuminating before the headlights failed. As the vehicle was being driven onto the side of the road sometime the lights would come back on within 5 to 10 minutes. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. The dealer stated that he had to pay $418 in order to replace the lighting control module since there were no recalls or related warranties. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 282,000.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford crown victoria cvpi. While driving at 10 to 60 mph the headlights would shut off intermittently at night. There were no warning lights illuminating before the headlights failed. While driving the vehicle onto the emergency lane the lights would come back on for 5 to…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford crown victoria cvpi. While driving at 10 to 60 mph the headlights would shut off intermittently at night. There were no warning lights illuminating before the headlights failed. While driving the vehicle onto the emergency lane the lights would come back on for 5 to 10 minutes or not at all. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair facility. The dealer was contacted stating that he had to pay $418 to replace the lighting control module since there were no related recalls or warranties. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 280,000.
- Wheels
My car IS a 2003 ford crown victoria (former police vehicle). there IS a safety recall on it, # 07s48 for the 16" steel wheel replacement. I have received 3 notices from ford on it. when I went to 2 different dealers they told me it isn't covered because it IS no longer owned by a police…
My car IS a 2003 ford crown victoria (former police vehicle). there IS a safety recall on it, # 07s48 for the 16" steel wheel replacement. I have received 3 notices from ford on it. when I went to 2 different dealers they told me it isn't covered because it IS no longer owned by a police department. they can not tell me what the difference IS whether a cop IS driving it or me. I am an officer and I do not believe I drive my personal car any differently then while at work. I feel vibration in my wheel at high speeds, which I was told IS a result of this recall. *Tr
- Exterior lighting
From: bolivar police [mailto:bol_pd@hotmail.com] sent: tuesday, march 24, 2009 12:45 pm to: subject: 2003 cvpi lighting problems we have been having a problem with the headlights going out on our 2003 cvpi. The lights go out and then after a short time come back on. It IS very sporadic.…
From: bolivar police [mailto:bol_pd@hotmail.com] sent: tuesday, march 24, 2009 12:45 pm to: subject: 2003 cvpi lighting problems we have been having a problem with the headlights going out on our 2003 cvpi. The lights go out and then after a short time come back on. It IS very sporadic. Our local mechanic has replaced the headlight switch but this did not solve the problem. I was wondering if any other agency has had this problem and if so, how it was corrected. thanks ricky l. Whitney chief of police bolivar village pd lights are fixed, had to replace the lighting module. Thanks for the help. *Tr rick whitney chief
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly · Suspension › Rear · Wheels
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford cvpi. the contact purchased a police vehicle three weeks ago and found a few outsanding recalls while attempting to install different parts on the vehicle. he called the ford manufacturer and was informed that the recall repairs had not been previously performed.…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford cvpi. the contact purchased a police vehicle three weeks ago and found a few outsanding recalls while attempting to install different parts on the vehicle. he called the ford manufacturer and was informed that the recall repairs had not been previously performed. they further stated that since the vehicle was not being used as a police vehicle anymore, they did not have to honor the recalls and repair it for free. the nhtsa campaign ID numbers in reference were 02i003000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly), 03v279000 (wheels), 05v206000 (electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash), and 04v328000 (suspension:rear). the failure mileage was 128,000. 4/01/09 *nj updated 04/06/09. *Jb
- Exterior lighting
I was driving to school december 3RD, 2008 when I noticed my blinkers (flashers) were not working when I was making lane changes. after which I noticed that my head lights, dash board lights as well as my hazard lights were not working. I was told that this was due to a light control module…
I was driving to school december 3RD, 2008 when I noticed my blinkers (flashers) were not working when I was making lane changes. after which I noticed that my head lights, dash board lights as well as my hazard lights were not working. I was told that this was due to a light control module failure. this issue IS also affecting my seat belt alarm and light. it IS currently on going and has not been corrected due to my current research on the matter. I am only writing this complaint due to this information I found: "this agency has experienced several failures of lighting control modules on 2005 ford crown victoria?s. While driving down the road, we have experienced a sudden loss of headlights, and in some cases, the headlights have not came back on for a substantial period of time. The failures occurred without warning. We have contacted ford fleet services and made them aware of the issues but at this time they have not issued any recalls. We have also contacted the nhtsa office of defects investigation (odi) and filed a complaint. Odi has currently opened an investigation into the issue which IS referenced under nhtsa action number : pe08066. Due to the safety issue of this defect and the cost associated with repairs, I would ask that anyone with this problem contact the nhtsa at 1-888-327-4236 and file a complaint in an attempt to have a recall issued from ford. The current investigation covers ford crown victoria?s and mercury grand marquis?s, model years 2003-2005." if there IS an on going investigation I would like to be informed on the matter due to the possible case of a crash if driving at night when the defect occurs. thank you for your time. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel tank leak dealer stated that a hole had "rubbed through" the tank and that the tank would need to be replaced. This had been on-going for some time. Since the tank IS bolted in place, how does it rub against something enough to wear a hole in the tank. I believe this IS a design and safety flaw. *Tr
- Exterior lighting
While driving at night, the headlights went off. I was able to reach my destination by holding the high beam (flash to pass) actuator on. I discovered that ford IS aware of a problem with the lighting control module. I had a mechanic replace the module at a cost of $698.22 ($558 for the part…
While driving at night, the headlights went off. I was able to reach my destination by holding the high beam (flash to pass) actuator on. I discovered that ford IS aware of a problem with the lighting control module. I had a mechanic replace the module at a cost of $698.22 ($558 for the part, $90 labor, and 50.22 tax). it seems to me that the lights going off while vehicle IS in operation could pose a safety hazard! I will keep the old part. *Tr
- Wheels › Rim
So I buy a cvpi police interceptor with over 117K miles of police duty use that has a safety recall 07s48 regarding the wheels and it cannot be performed because the vehicle IS currently no longer in police duty use. I have worked at automotive dealerships for over fifteen years and never in my life heard of a safety recall on a vehicle that only applies to who IS behind the wheel. *jb
- Wheels
Ford recall regarding crown victoria police cars because of cracks that can develop in police cruiser wheels. I'm a pa state constable (law enforcement officer) and upon purchasing a retired pa state police vehicle the wheels on my vehicle are cracking and ford motor co. Employee kevin employee #61151 advised there IS nothing they can do at this time. *tr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Vehicle has lack of power, no acceleration, won't shift in high gear, and check engine light comes on. Fuel pump failure, fuel pump pressure low under hard acceleration. Replace fuel pump. Three pump replacements in three years. *jb
- Wheels
I own a 2003 ford crown victoria police interceptor which falls into the extended warranty coverage for manufacturer date time frame listed in recall 03v279000. despite the fact that three of the four rims on my car have developed the cracks and air loss listed in the recall, ford claims my…
I own a 2003 ford crown victoria police interceptor which falls into the extended warranty coverage for manufacturer date time frame listed in recall 03v279000. despite the fact that three of the four rims on my car have developed the cracks and air loss listed in the recall, ford claims my vehicle IS not covered. ford agrees my vehicle was manufactured in the time frame that should be covered by the extended warranty, but claims my vin number IS not included in the coverage. I have had to replace the three defectively manufactured rims at my cost just to be able to drive the car. I have the three rims stored for inspection/return to ford. *jb
- Wheels › Rim
LT rr tire slowly loses air. Cf wheel. *nm
- Wheels
During a routine inspection, the right rear wheel was found to be cracked. Cf wheel stamping. *ak
- Wheels
During a routine wheel inspection, the left front wheel was found to be cracked. Cf wheel stamping.*ak
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
During a routine inspection the spare tire was found to be cracked. Cd wheel stamping, no apparent date code, paper sticker was over stamping #. *ak
- Wheels
During a routine inspection of the wheels, the right front wheel was found to be cracked. Originally a cd stamped wheel, no date code evident, but with a paper sticker placed over the cd stamping.*ak
- Wheels
Right fr ont wheel lost air. The wheel/tire were inspected, and the wheel was cracked. Cf wheel stamping. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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 subsequently grows circumferentially through cyclic bending as the wheels rolls.although the vast majority of rim cracks either presented no symptoms or were detected safely via recurring slow air leakage, odi identified 6 incidents where rapid air leakage leading to a full or partial deflation of the tire was alleged.for these wheels, evidence indicated that multiple cracks had formed in different areas of the rim and subsequently grown together.two of the incidents resulted in a crash, one during a high speed pursuit.although the minority of cases, ford?s assessments of field return wheels showed that multiple cracks exist in approximately 17 percent of the cracked wheels replaced under a ford extended warranty program.in a wheel with multiple cracks, as the area between the cracks IS reduced by growth a high stress condition (such as would occur in an aggressive vehicle maneuver during a high-speed pursuit) may cause the cracks to join together rapidly.if the cracks are of sufficient size, the structural integrity of the rim may be compromised resulting in rapid air loss and rim deformation.for police vehicles used at high speed, rapid deflation and loss of rim structural integrity affects vehicle control and may increase the risk of a crash.fatigue IS the fundamental fracture mechanism; therefore, wheel fracture can be expected to occur (and at an increased incidence level) as long as the affected wheels remain in service.in december 2004 (within my 2005 sv production) ford introduced a shot peen process into the manufacture of sv wheels.shot peen wheels, which are identified by unique part number stampings, have not exhibited fracture in police service to date.under 07v-079, ford will inspect svs registered for police use and replace earlier design level wheels with shot peen wheels.police agencies should be advised that my 2005 vehicles built after december 2004 are not within the scope of this recall (since they were originally manufactured with shot peen wheels).agencies should be diligent in ensuring that non-shot peen wheels are removed from out-of-scope vehicles or other wheel supply inventories.
- 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…
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 ford?s accelerated testing methods show an improvement in the performance of the new wheel.in addition to prior safety recall 03v279 and service action (sa) 03m03, ford will announce a new extended warranty sa for vehicles built prior to december 2004 that suffer rim fractures in service.the new wheel design will be used as a remedy.ford advises that a sa IS sufficient for addressing future wheel failures (including recall 03v279 remedy wheel failures) because: 1) failure rates are low based on ford?s analysis, and 2) driver warnings (repetitive slow air loss, and or steering wheel vibration) allow early and safe detection of cracked wheels.odi has received 25 vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports (involving 22 vehicles) which allege a rim fracture of one or more steel wheels.about half the reports involve vehicles built with the remedy wheel used for recall 03v279, and most of the remaining vehicles were subject to the recall.the process of identifying pertinent ford complaints IS made difficult by ford?s prior recall and warranty program activities.the manufacturer complaint and warranty counts, which primarily involve failures of recall 03v279 remedy wheels, are based on analysis conducted to date and are considered to be conservative.further investigation IS required, thus odi IS upgrading this investigation to an engineering analysis (ea).during the ea, pertinent failure reports and consequences will be identified and reviewed.odi and ford will discuss details for conducting an audit analysis of failed wheels replaced under the new sa.additionally, odi IS awaiting ford?s lab analysis of two wheels which were the subject of voq reports, one of which was involved in the noted crash event.a determination will be made as to whether ford?s service action IS sufficient for addressing ongoing rim fractures.
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