The problem
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.
The risk
The cracks can ultimately result in rapid air loss from the tire and could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-279 (03V279000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 03S05 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Wheels |
| Report date | August 5, 2003 |
| Owners notified | August 8, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 29,946 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the wheels & tires
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-279 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 29,946 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.