About 109,664 examples of the 2003 to 2005 models will be recalled, though it’s suspected that a very small percentage of active duty cop cars actually are rolling on defective wheels. Only two crashes have been connected to the issue and no officers were injured.

Nevertheless, Ford has been down the recall road with the Interceptor before, issuing a different wheel recall in 2003, as well as being forced to address potentially faulty gas tanks that could explode after a crash. Neither helped the automaker’s relations with this country’s law enforcement community, which doesn’t bode well for the ancient Interceptor that’s now facing stiff competition from the new hotness in police-issue whips, the Dodge Charger.

At the moment this new recall is a voluntary move by Ford, which has already notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its actions. The recall will be targeted to owners of Interceptors with specific wheels that could be affected, who will be notified and told to visit nearby dealerships where the wheels and spares can be replaced.

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Unlike its modern competition, the Crown Victoria uses body-on-frame construction, and although this does the car no favors in the ride and handling department, it’s both durable and cost-effective, that’s why taxicab companies and police departments like it. In 2003, Ford fitted the car with an all-new frame, a redesigned front suspension and rack and pinion steering, which improved the Crown Vic’s crash performance and handling. Overall, though, it still can’t match the refinement and agility of peers like the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon, which are unibody designs with fully independent suspensions.

For those willing to give up some refinement, the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria offers compelling value: Prices start in the mid-$20Ks and you can get a nicely equipped one for well under $30,000. Upscale features like a navigation system, high-end sound system and Bluetooth are nowhere to be found, of course, but for the typical Crown Vic buyer who just wants a big, comfortable V8 sedan, that won’t be much of a problem. Everyone else shopping in the large-sedan segment is advised to try the Ford’s modern-day competition first.

The 2007 Ford Crown Victoria is a full-size sedan available in base and LX trim levels. The base model comes with 16-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, split bench seating with eight-way power adjustments for the driver, a CD stereo, cruise control, full power accessories and keyless entry. Stepping up to the LX gets you alloy wheels, automatic climate control, an overhead console with a compass, and rear-seat reading lights.

Crown Victoria LX buyers can opt for the Premium Sport Handling and Performance Package, which provides 17-inch wheels, an upgraded suspension, dual exhaust, leather upholstery and bucket seats with a console-mounted shift lever (note that choosing this package drops seating capacity to five).

The LX Premier Group adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a power front passenger seat, an in-dash CD changer and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A moonroof, laminated side glass (that provides a quieter interior) and a full-size spare tire are stand-alone extras.

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Once the most common type of automobile on America’s highways, Ford’s big rear-wheel-drive Crown Victoria is now something of an anomaly. But Ford’s biggest sedan still has significant virtues: affordable V8 performance and room for six people (if configured with a three-abreast front bench seat). It almost sounds odd today, but this sort of car and seating arrangement is what most people drove in the 1950s, during the Eisenhower administration.

Crown Vic’s interior and trunk volumes compare well against those of an SUV. Indeed the Crown Victoria offers the largest trunk in its class. Its old-fashioned low seat height doesn’t afford today’s popular elevated-perspective of the road, but climbing in as effortless as settling into your favorite arm chair). This lowness also pays a noticeable dividend in ride quality over tall, hobby horse SUVs. This is why the Crown Vics are so popular as taxi cabs and police cars.

The Crown Victoria is popular for its impressive safety ratings, easy entry/exit, big windows, pleasant ride quality, quiet interior, confusion-free controls, and adjustable pedals. The Crown Victoria is available in just one body style, the large four-door sedan. Three versions of the Crown Vic are available, the standard model, the more highly equipped LX, and the sport-oriented LX Sport.

Crown Victoria ($23,805) comes standard with air conditioning, ABS, power windows, power door locks (including a remote locking), power mirrors, an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, and an AM/FM stereo/cassette sound system.  Crown Victoria LX ($27,175) adds more standard equipment, such as automatic climate control, cruise control, an integrated in-dash CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power-adjustable pedals, and alloy wheels.

LX Sport ($28,795) gets firmer suspension tuning, beefy P235/55HR17 tires on special five-spoke alloy wheels, a lower-ratio rear axle for quicker acceleration, dual exhausts, leather-trimmed front bucket seats with floor-mounted shifter, an armrest/central storage compartment with twin cup holders, a mini-storage bin below the center of the dash, and a monochrome exterior appearance.

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