Steel wheels
Defect Summary
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.
Safety Consequence
The cracks can ultimately result in rapid air loss from the tire and could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action
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.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving N/A.
FAQ: Recall 03V279000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 03V279000?
NHTSA recall 03V279000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on August 5, 2003. It addresses: Steel wheels. The recall affects approximately 29,946 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 03V279000 or the manufacturer campaign number 03S05. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.