2003 FORD CVPI Recalls, Complaints & Safety

AIR LEAKS OUT THE BACK WHEEL EVERY DAY AFTER FILL UP GAS IT SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE CAR. *TR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

FROM: BOLIVAR POLICE [MAILTO:[email protected]] 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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

LT RR TIRE SLOWLY LOSES AIR. CF WHEEL. *NM

DURING A ROUTINE WHEEL INSPECTION THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. CF WHEEL STAMPING. *AK

DURING A ROUTINE WHEEL INSPECTION, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. CF WHEEL STAMPING.*AK

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

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

RIGHT FR ONT WHEEL LOST AIR. THE WHEEL/TIRE WERE INSPECTED, AND THE WHEEL WAS CRACKED. CF WHEEL STAMPING. *AK

VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. THE TIRE/WHEEL WAS INSPECTED AND THE WHEEL WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK. "CF" WHEEL STAMPING

DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. CF WHEEL STAMPING. *AK

DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF THE WHEELS, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. *JB

WHILE REPAIRS WERE BEING COMPLETED ON THE CAR, THE WHEELS WERE INSPECTED AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK. *JB

THE LT FR & RT FR TIRES WENT FLAT IN THE PARKING LOT. THE SPARE WAS PUT ON, WITHIN DAYS IT ALSO WENT FLAT. UPON INSPECTION, ALL THREE WHEELS HAD CRACKS, CAUSING THE AIR LOSS. *JB

DURING A ROUTINE WHEEL INSPECTION, THE LT RR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK AND WAS REPLACED. *JB

DURING A ROUTINE WHEEL INSPECTION, A RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *JB

SLOW AIR LOSS LEFT REAR WHEEL. WHEEL FOUND TO BE CRACKED, WHEEL REPLACED. *JB

DURING A ROUTINE WHEEL INSPECTION THE LT FR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. WHEEL REPLACED. *JB

AFTER THE TIRE WAS FOUND FLAT, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED. *JB

WHILE ON PATROL, AND TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 35MPH, THE TROOPERS FELT THE LEFT REAR TIRE GO FLAT. IT WAS NOT A INSTANTANEOUS DEFLATION, BUT ONCE STARTED, DID DEFLATE RATHER QUICKLY. THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REINFLATED ON THE WHEEL WHILE THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR WAS ON IT. UPON INSPECTION, THE WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED.

THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. AFTER THE WHEEL WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED.

DURING A ROUTINE WHEEL INSPECTION, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED.

CAR WAS FOUND WITH A FLAT TIRE. THE WHEEL WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE CRACKED.

RT FRT WHEEL LOSES AIR SLOWLY. WHEEL INSPECTED AND CRACK FOUND. WHEEL REPLACED

LT RR TIRE SLOWLY LOSES AIR. WHEEL WAS INSPECTED AND A SMALL CRACK WAS FOUND. WHEEL REPLACED

ON 3/24/05 @ 75684 MILES, ONE TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE LOW AIR PRESSURE. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE WHEEL TO BE CRACKED. ON 4/12/05 @ 77616 MILES, ANOTHER TIRE HAD LOW AIR PRESSURE. IT ALONG WITH THE OTHER WHEELS WAS INSPECTED. A TOTAL OF THREE MORE WHEELS WERE REPLACED ON THIS CAR AT THIS TIME. TO DATE, ALL WHEELS HAVE CRACKED AND BEEN REPLACED.

RT FRT TIRE WENT FLAT IN PARKING LOT. UPON INSPECTION, THE RIM WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED.