2008 Ford Crown Victoria

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Large Cars
Body styles
CROWN VICTORIA
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV
MPG (best)
18 combined · 15 city / 23 hwy
Length
211.8 in
Curb weight
4,189 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Overview

The 2008 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 18 MPG combined (15 city / 23 highway), 1% worse than the 2008 large car average of 18.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Crown Victoria — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Crown Victoria →

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 Victoria FFV FFV4.6L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18-1%$3,700494
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.2 MPG2008 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Ford Crown Victoria (this car)18 MPGNot rated2
2008 Buick Lucerne19 MPGNot rated2
2008 Mercury Grand Marquis18 MPGNot rated2
2008 Mercury Sable22 MPGNot rated1
2008 Chrysler 300 SRT821 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (2)

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 2008 Ford Crown Victoria is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

24Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
130,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering8
Vehicle Speed Control6
Electrical System4
Unknown Or Other2
Service Brakes1
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Structure › Body1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/09: 115/10: 116/03: 116/04: 116/05: 116/06: 116/08: 117/01: 117/07: 117/11: 118/01: 118/06: 118/12: 119/02: 120/01: 120/03: 120/06: 120/07: 121/05: 122/07: 122/08: 122/10: 123/05: 123/08: 115/0916/0416/0817/1118/1220/0321/0522/10max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Ford Crown Victoria buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 8 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Vehicle Speed Control — 6 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 130,000 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 2008 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
2007 Crown Victoria18211.8 inNot rated217
2006 Crown Victoria18211.8 inNot rated221
2005 Crown Victoria19211.8 inNot rated352

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