Engine
4.6L 8-cyl
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Steering
111 complaint records3 fire reports4 crash reports
"PITMAN ARM JOINT FAILED; 1) SEPARATED FROM DRAG LINK; 2) VERY LOOSE FAILING IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Suspension
39 complaint records4 crash reports
"CHECK AIR SUSPENSION DASH LIGHT. RIDE CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ALSO IN LINCOLNS. HIGH TEMPRATURE SUSPECT. PLEASE NOTIFY ME. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Brakes
36 complaint records3 crash reports
"ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONSTANTLY CYCLES AND CEATES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION BY REDUCING BRAKING POWER ON SMOOTH DRY ROADS...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA03012 opened Jul 2003 | closed Apr 2005 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE - led to recall 05V086000 IN A LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2005, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (FORD NO. |
| RQ03004 opened Mar 2003 | closed Jul 2003 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE ODI HAS RECEIVED 40 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, INCLUDING 8 THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED THIS YEAR.AN ADDITIONAL 192 REPORTS AND 478 WARRANTY CLAIMS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM FORD.A LEAK IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN CAUSE... |
| RQ03002 opened Jan 2003 | closed Jun 2003 | Suspension | BALL JOINT SEPARATION SEE ATTACHED REPORT. |
| EA02025 opened Sep 2002 | closed Jun 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS (2.5 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD) WHERE FAILURE OF THE SCDS IS INVOLVED AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES ? 7 TO 11 YEARS ? |
| DP02007 opened Aug 2002 | closed Dec 2002 | Vehicle Speed Control | FUEL-FED FIRES THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER... |
| SQ01014 opened Nov 2001 | closed Oct 2002 | Fuel System, Gasoline | POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES - led to recall 02I003000 There is no summary currently available |
| PE96029 opened Apr 1996 | closed Jul 1996 | Steering | STEERING GEAR SECTOR SHAFT ARM (PITMAN A - led to recall 96V135000 There is no summary currently available |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08V051000 | Vehicle Speed Control | FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS,... | Normally free |
| 07V336000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN. | Normally free |
| 98V322000 | Suspension | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE... | Normally free |
| 97V024000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER CAN WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD. | Normally free |
| 96V135000 | Steering | THE PITMAN ARMS WERE NOT FULLY LUBRICATED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE "BALL JOINT" AT THE OUTER END OF THE PITMAN ARM CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED AND CORRODE. | Normally free |
| 96V045000 | Seat Belts | THE RIVETS HOLDING THE REAR OUTBOARD BELT D-RINGS WERE NOT HEAT TREATED PROPERLY CAUSING THE HEADS OF THE RIVETS TO FRACTURE UNDER LOAD AND FAIL TO HOLD THE D-RINGS TO THE STRAPS. | Normally free |
| 95V189000 | Electrical System | THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE NON-CYCLING POWER WINDOW CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE CYCLING HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INTERCHANGED. | Normally free |
| 95V063000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | THE SEAL MATERIAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY CURED DURING THE MOLDING PROCESS WHICH COULD ALLOW FOR FUEL LEAKAGE. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008038 2008-02-06 | Electrical | 8,869 | On certain vehicles, a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity may have been inadvertently installed during servicing for recall 2005028 or 2007258. |
| 2007258 2007-08-07 | Electrical | 165,447 | On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears to be different than that of Recall 2005028 (05S28). |
| 1998251 1998-12-22 | Suspension | 4,856 | Note: 1996-99 crown victoria police, fleet and ngv and lincoln town car limousine equipped with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing and 1990-96 crown victoria police, fleet and ngv and lincoln town car limousine... |
| 1997069 1997-04-01 | Structure | 5,986 | NOTE: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES ONLY. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER MAY EITHER WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD. |
| 1996121 1996-08-02 | Steering | 2,786 | NOTE: CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTORS AND UNITS FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS. TOWN CARS WITH LIMOUSINE BUILDER PACKAGE OR TRAILER TOW PACKAGE. THE PITMAN ARMS ON THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT FULLY LUBRICATED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. |
| 1996061 1996-04-17 | Seats And Restraints | 2,091 | THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT D-RINGS ARE RIVETED TO METAL STRAPS WHICH ARE BOLTED THE THE C-PILLAR STRUCTURE. SOME OF THESE RIVETS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND MAY FRACTURE UNDER LOAD AND FAIL TO HOLD THE D-RINGS TO THE STRAPS. |
| 1995192 1995-10-25 | Lights And Instruments | 2,174 | THE NON-CYCLING POWER WINDOW CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE CYCLING LOW-BEAM CIRCUIT BREAKER MAY BE INTERCHANGED AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUSE PANEL. |
| 1995066 1995-04-07 | Fuel System | 3,952 | THE FUEL TANK MAY LEAK AT THE SEAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. |
| 1995032 1995-02-21 | Seats And Restraints | 398 | THE PASSENGER SIDE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG) MAY HAVE A CRACKED INFLATOR BODY. IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A DEPLOYMENT LEVEL CRASH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN REDUCED OCCUPANT... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSP 08B04 May 2008 | Fuel System | FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF WISCONSIN AND CONNECTICUT UPGRADE MODIFICATIONS FOR HIGH SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *PE | |
| 02B02 Nov 2003 | Equipment | INSTALLATION OF OPTIONAL POLICE INTERCEPTOR PACKAGE UPGRADE KIT. *TT UPDATE PART 2. EXPIRATION DATE REMOVED. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 03261 Jan 2003 | Power Train | NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 02208 Oct 2002 | Equipment | CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ | |
| 02107 May 2002 | Visibility | TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *TT | |
| 0214 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT | |
| 01246 Dec 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 012114 Oct 2001 | Fuel System | PARTS AND PROCEDURE TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES DURING RARE AND EXTREMELY HIGH-SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *TT | |
| 01194 Oct 2001 | Electrical System | THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT | |
| 01181 Sep 2001 | Power Train | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB | |
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC | |
| 15171 Aug 2001 | Visibility | INFORMATION REGARDING POLICE OPTION-REAR WINDOW DISABLE-TAMPER RESISTANCE. *YD | |
| 14862 Apr 2001 | Fuel System | INFORMATION ON REPLACING FUEL TANK STRAP BOLTS. *TT | |
| 0147 Mar 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE IN 2001 VEHICLES - SAE 5W-20 MOTOR OIL. *TT | |
| 002310 Nov 2000 | Power Train | SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 00213 Oct 2000 | Equipment | SUBJECT REGARDING CLIMATE CONTROL - EATC - BLOWER MOTOR CONTROL SERVICE TIPS. *JB | |
| 14370 Sep 2000 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON PROGRAMMING REMOTES AFTER DRIVER DOOR MODULE REPLACEMENT. *JB | |
| 8257 Mar 2000 | Exterior Lighting | BRIEF INFORMATION REGARDING VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT YELLOWING OF THE HEADLAMPS. *TT | |
| 13933 Mar 2000 | Exterior Lighting | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT YELLOWING OF THE HEADLAMPS. *TT | |
| 0015 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS | |
| 99222 Oct 1999 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT | |
| 99194 Sep 1999 | Service Brakes | INFORMATION FOR SERVICING AND DIAGNOSING BRAKE VIBRATION, BRAKE INSPECTION, AND BRAKE FRICTION MATERIAL REPLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 99195 Sep 1999 | Equipment | SERVICE INFORMATION FOR MUSTY AND MILDEW TYPE ODORS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING / HEATING SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 99196 Sep 1999 | Equipment | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT | |
| 99152 Jul 1999 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT | |
| 99139 Jun 1999 | Exterior Lighting | CONDITIONS WITH THE BRAKE LAMPS INADVERTENTLY DISABLING THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *TT | |
| 99129 Jun 1999 | Equipment | EXPERIENCING A WHINE / BUZZ TYPE NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT RADIO OR TWO-WAY RADIO ON VEHICLES WITH AN IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. *TT |
Showing 30 of 117 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 8 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Crown Victoria →