2005 Ford Crown Victoria

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Class
Large Cars
Body styles
CROWN VICTORIA
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
211.8 in
Curb weight
4,189 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Overview

The 2005 Ford Crown Victoria is a large car offered with a 4.6L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 212 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,189 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 5% better than the 2005 large car average of 18.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
CROWN VICTORIA211.8 in78.3 in56.7 in114.2 in63 / 64.6 in4,189 lb56/44

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Crown Victoria4.6L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19+5%$3,550468
Crown Victoria Police4.6L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-12%$4,200555
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.1 MPG2005 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Ford Crown Victoria (this car)19 MPGNot rated3
2005 Mercury Grand Marquis19 MPGNot rated3
2005 Mercury Montego21 MPGNot rated0
2005 Pontiac Bonneville21 MPGNot rated0
2005 Chrysler 300 SRT821 MPGNot rated0
2005 Buick Park Avenue21 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (3)

Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Dec 22, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V861000 · 296,004 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2003-2005 Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured October 3, 2001, to August 2, 2005. The affected vehicles have a lighting control module (LCM) that may fail, resulting in a loss of headlights.
Risk
A loss of headlights can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LCM, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S39.
Steering › Rack And Pinion › Pinion Shaft · Nov 5, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V704000 · 36,888 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
Risk
Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
Steering · Aug 29, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V385000 · 355,000 vehicles

Problem
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
Risk
If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Ford Crown Victoria is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

52Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
129,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Exterior Lighting23
Steering12
Engine5
Electrical System5
Air Bags5
Vehicle Speed Control2
Service Brakes2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/02: 117/03: 117/05: 317/06: 217/07: 218/07: 118/10: 219/02: 119/05: 119/08: 219/09: 119/10: 120/01: 120/05: 120/08: 121/07: 122/01: 122/09: 122/10: 123/05: 123/06: 123/08: 123/09: 126/02: 117/0217/0618/1019/0820/0121/0722/1023/08max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Ford Crown Victoria buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Exterior Lighting — 23 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Steering — 12 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 129,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Crown Victoria years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2011 Crown Victoria19211.8 inNot rated210
2010 Crown Victoria19211.8 inNot rated29
2009 Crown Victoria19211.8 inNot rated219
2008 Crown Victoria18211.8 inNot rated224
2007 Crown Victoria18211.8 inNot rated217
2006 Crown Victoria18211.8 inNot rated221

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →