FordCrown Victoria2002Overview/ford/crown-victoria/2002/base/

2002 Ford Crown Victoria

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Crown Victoria.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Ford Crown Victoria is a passenger car pairing an engine that calls for 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil with a four-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel economy of 15 city, 23 highway, and 18 combined mpg. Within the model's 1990–2011 complaint history, this model year records 103 total owner complaints — with the power train as the leading trouble area — and five recalls, placing it well below the 424 complaints logged in 1992 but well above the 12 complaints recorded for 2010. That middle-ground profile marks the 2002 as a transitional data point for researchers charting the Crown Victoria's reliability arc between its high-complaint early years and its later low-complaint run.

Model year201120102009200820072006200520042002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-60VR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Spark plugAGSF32PM4

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length211.8 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight4189 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume111 cu ft
Cargo volume21 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Crown Victoria of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2008 Police Interceptor Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004LX Sedan 4.6L V87.90 sec16.20 sec224 hpRWD
1999Police Interceptor Sedan 4.6L V88.40 sec16.50 sec250 hpRWD
2007Police Interceptor Sedan 4.6L V87.80 sec15.90 sec250 hpRWD
2008Police Interceptor Sedan 4.6L V87.60 sec15.80 sec250 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug8.0-12.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)802.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)12.5 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30.0-50.0
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket147 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85-105 ft-lbs / 50 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.154 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00035 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.063 in / 0.56 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.063 in / 0.56 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 183.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Crown Victoria sits near the low‑point of the model’s federal‑record trend, with 103 complaints, 5 recalls, 3 investigations and 114 Technical Service Bulletins—well below the mid‑1990s peaks (e.g., 1995‑1997 with 283‑316 complaints and 11‑12 recalls) and comparable to the early‑2000s decline that continues through 20092011. After a spike in 2003 (289 complaints) the series resumes a downward trajectory, reaching a historic low of 12 complaints by 2010, indicating an overall improvement in reliability as the generation ages. In 2002 the most frequent complaint categories are Power Train (11), Suspension (10), Fuel System (9) and Engine & Cooling (8), while crash‑related and fire‑related complaints remain modest at 11 and 7 respectively. This modest complaint profile, combined with the declining recall and investigation counts, suggests that 2002 is a comparatively strong year for a used Crown Victoria. **Takeaway:** the 2002 model shows fewer systemic issues than surrounding years, making it a good candidate for purchase.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
114
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
103
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 7 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 103 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train11
Suspension10
Fuel System, Gasoline9
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Vehicle Speed Control8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Air Bags6
Electrical System5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15E082000SteeringReported 06/10/2015

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at…

06E056000Fuel System, GasolineReported 13/06/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK… Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 114 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 20-22332020-07-13StructureThis article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
072122007-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
062162006-01-01Power TrainLIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Crown Victoria. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Crown Victoria take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Crown Victoria have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Crown Victoria get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.