Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exterior lights became inoperable. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed that the Lighting Control Module (LCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign number 15V861000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
Safety Recall 19S35b Processor Lighting cont was done on 3/22/2021on my working part. The original module was working fine. Now the new light module is faulty. Dealership took out part and tested it. Determined that is was faulty causing my lights to fail. Dealership and Ford has denied covering a replacement of the failed part. It would seem that the part should be still covered since it is a part that was part of a recall.
I was driving at night and a car hit me in the rear. The other driver said he didn't see me since I did not have my lights on. I showed him that they were on but yet the tail lights were not. When I had a shop check for the problem, they said the fuses, bulbs and relays were fine. They said the problem is a common problem with this model and it is a lighting control module which costs over $500.they said Ford has known about the problem but still has not recalled the item. When I searched on the internet, I find a ton of people reporting this problem. This could have easily caused serious injury and/or death to all involved. I am shocked at Ford.
My headlights goes off while I'm driving and clicks off and clicks back on and sometimes when I turned on my signal switch on they will click back on or click off or I just have to wait for them to come back on but I can hear when it clicks and my headlights comes back on
Air bag light comes on everytime car is started flashes 3 then 4 then stays on constantly do not feel safe and my car isn't the first to have this problem Ford needs to step it up and put out a recall
Lights failed when driving down dark freeway, nearly drove off road, stopped car, heard click and lights came back on, but a few minutes later, went off again. As I drive down the road I hear a click and then they come back on, but more minutes they go off again, continual intermittent on/off. This occurs when the lights are in headlamp setting, or autolamp control, lights don't work when in this condition in high beams. Fortunately they are working when held toward steering wheel in flash-to-pass, so have been holding the lights on this way for months. From what I've read, this is an ongoing continual problem with this vehicle. I'm surprised there have been no reports of accidents or death, but it's a hard issue to identify as it's inconsistent, and if someone was reported as 'loosing control of their vehicle', it could be loss of lights causing them to run off the road. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that there was a progressing electrical short and failure with the head lamps. For months, the dealer stated that the remedy and parts were unavailable and a repair appointment could not be scheduled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was waiting on a response from the dealer and the manufacturer to determine an interim repair for NHTSA campaign number: 15V861000 (exterior lighting)the failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/19/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 08/07/2017
Dt: the contact stated the horn was not working. The service dealer replaced the horn, and reprogrammed the ccm to the latest calibration. Since the repair she had to press firmly, in the exact location of the horn symbols. Sometimes she has to press on both horn symbols to get the horn to work. The dealer said after time and use the horn should become easier to use. Another concern she had was with the vehicle speed control. While at a stop sign the vehicle accelerated on its own. The service dealer inspected the vehicle, but could not find the cause of the problem at this point. Updated 11/29/05.
Tl* - the contact stated that the horn would not work. The battery also failed. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer and they installed a used battery. She fused and then they replaced it with a cheap battery that did not fit the vehicle. The tire on the passenger back side had no tread, and the vehicle would skid when going up hill. Updated 1/31/2007 - the rear defrost was inoperative. The dealer determined that the grid was bad and suspected a bad connection at the glass. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer determined that the vehicle had an leaking gas cap.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving at night, the contact noticed that the headlights would fail. She would pull over and wait a few moments and then they would illuminate again. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer advised the contact that there were no related recalls or service bulletins and offered no further assistance. The current mileage was 65,580 and the failure mileage was approximately 63,000. Updataed 06/03/11 updated 06/13/11
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable includes a fusible link that May contact and subsequently chafe on a #2 cross member attaching bolt.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fusible link and position it away from the cross member bolt. If the fusible link has already chafed and copper wires have been exposed, the fusible link will be replaced.
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Ford Crown Victoria, 11% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is horn (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Crown Victoria electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-518 (cables, Nov 9, 2005); NHTSA recall 05V-206 (interior/under dash, May 9, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Crown Victoria electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.