CarBrief

Steering is the weak spot of the 2011 Crown Victoria: 12 of its 23 NHTSA complaints name it[1][2], and it has two steering recalls[3][4]. Complaints overall are low for this model line, so a careful check of the steering shaft goes a long way.

23owner complaints[2]
2recalls[5]
19MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints for this model year[2]. One mentions a crash. None mention a fire, an injury or a death[2]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Steering[1] 12
Seats[7] 4
Suspension[8] 4
Engine[9] 3
Power train[10] 2
Brakes[11] 1
Structure[12] 1
Wheels[13] 1

Steering. The 12 steering complaints have a median mileage at failure of 65,500, with no crashes, fires or injuries[1]. In the sample of steering complaints we read, In the sample of steering complaints we read, 7 of 9 describe trouble with the steering column shaft or lower bearing, such as rust or a part working loose, and some mention stiff or noisy steering[1].[1]. Three of the 9 say the owner was told the car was not covered by a steering recall[1]. That matters, because the recalls below only cover certain vehicles[3][4].

Seats. In a sample of 4 seat complaints, 3 describe back or neck discomfort that owners tie to the seat shape or the headrest[7]. Some of these come from people who spend long shifts in the car.

Engine. The 3 engine complaints include 1 crash[9]. In the 2 we read, owners describe the car stalling and not restarting, and a spark plug coming out while driving[9]. With so few reports, we do not treat this as a pattern.

Power train. There are 2 complaints, 1 of them with a crash[10]. Suspension has 4 complaints and the remaining groups have 1 each[8][11][12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year, both for steering. Both have a free remedy[3][4].

The recall wording says certain vehicles are included[3][4]. Some owners in our complaint sample say a dealer told them their car was not covered[1]. Ask a Ford dealer to check a specific car by its VIN. Ford's recall line is 1-866-436-7332[4].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the Crown Victoria FFV with the 4.6L 8-cylinder engine, an automatic 4-speed and rear-wheel drive at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[6]. It runs on gasoline or E85[6]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,550, based on the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[6].

Safety ratings

In NHTSA's ratings for the 4-door rear-wheel-drive version, the rollover rating is 5 stars[14]. The rollover risk is listed at 9.0%[14].

Engine and size

The EPA listing is for a 4.6L 8-cylinder engine[6]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the Police Interceptor variant, converted to US units, and can differ slightly from US cars[15].

Measurement Value
Length 212 in
Width 78 in
Height 57 in
Wheelbase 114 in
Curb weight 4,189 lb

All values are from[15].

How 2011 compares with other years

1995: 250 complaints, 8 recalls19951996: 276 complaints, 9 recalls1997: 288 complaints, 8 recalls19971998: 119 complaints, 7 recalls1999: 134 complaints, 5 recalls19992000: 85 complaints, 7 recalls2001: 53 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 58 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 249 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 138 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 193 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 53 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 50 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 50 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 44 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 12 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 23 complaints, 2 recalls232011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Crown Victoria model year. The 2011 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952508
19962769
19972888
19981197
19991345
2000857
2001534
2002582
20032495
20041382
20051935
2006532
2007504
2008503
2009442
2010122
2011232

NHTSA has 23 complaints and 2 recalls on file for the 2011 model year[5]. Of the 17 model years listed, from 1995 to 2011, only 2010 has fewer complaints, at 12[5]. Years such as 1997 (288), 1996 (276) and 1995 (250) have far more[5]. For recalls, 2 is the lowest count in the list[5]. It is shared with 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2011 Crown Victoria?

Compared with earlier years, this model year has a light complaint record[5]. The steering column is the part to take seriously, since it has the largest share of complaints (12 of 23) and is the subject of both recalls[2][1][3][4][1][3][4]. Before buying, ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, and have a mechanic look at the lower steering shaft for rust or play. Some owners say their cars were not covered by the recalls, so a clean recall check does not prove the shaft is fine[1]. EPA rates it at 19 combined MPG with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550[6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria?
Steering is the biggest group, with 12 of 23 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. Seats follow with 4[7].
Has the 2011 Crown Victoria been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists two steering recalls, 13V385 and 14V704, both with a free remedy[3][4].
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Crown Victoria?
The EPA rates it at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[6].
Is the 2011 Crown Victoria a good year compared with others?
It has 23 complaints, and only 2010 has fewer, at 12[5].

Facts and sources

  1. 12 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 14V704, filed November 5, 2014: Steering › Rack And Pinion › Pinion Shaft. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 13V385, filed August 29, 2013: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Crown Victoria model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Crown Victoria FFV, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 4 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 3 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 1 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 1 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR: length 212 in, width 78 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,189 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.