FaultScore

1998 Ford Crown Victoria engine problems

30 of the 138 complaints about the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria are about the engine — 22% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 98,100 miles.

F

30

Complaints

1

Crashes

3

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 9 30.0%
Gasoline 9 30.0%
Engine 4 13.3%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 4 13.3%
Exhaust System 1 3.3%
FAN 1 3.3%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 1 3.3%
Engine 1 3.3%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford Crown Victoria year

1992 52 12.8%
1993 12 3.0%
1994 21 5.2%
1995 13 3.2%
1996 88 21.7%
1997 90 22.2%
1998 30 7.4%
1999 29 7.2%
2000 21 5.2%
2001 11 2.7%
2003 15 3.7%
2004 12 3.0%
2005 11 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 160,000 miles Berwick, LA Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICE FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11075422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED CAR OVERHEATING DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD, HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD. VIN FAILURE UPDATED 7/3/18*JB

NHTSA complaint #10924141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 209,026 miles Jeannette, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR MY THERMOSTAT IS COMPLETELY BROKEN WHEN I LOOKED UP ONLINE TO SEE HOW MUCH THE PART WOULD COST ME TO HAVE FIXED IT SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PART BECAUSE IN BETWEEN THE YEARS 1997-2006 FORD USED GENERIC PLASTIC TO MAKE THE PART I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR OFF A GUY LIKE 6 MONTHS AGO SO IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE I HAD NO IDEA TILL IT BROKE ON ME AND I LOOKED IT UP I CALLED A FEW FORD DEALERSHIPS AND ALSO THE MAIN FORD HEADQUARTERS IN DETROIT AND EVERYONE'S GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND AND TELLING ME THERE WERE NEVER ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED MEANWHILE ITS THERE FAULT FOR PUTTING THE WRONG PART IN THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE I NEED YOUR HELP GETTING THESE PEOPLE TO FIX MY CAR PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] OR IF I CAN'T BE REACHED ON THAT NUMBER [XXX] THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10876989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 114,000 miles Port Orange, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

NHTSA complaint #10326035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Effingham, SC Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE SPARK ON THE ENGINE BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #10307503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,644 miles Buna, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I OWN A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WITH A V-8 (4.6 ) THAT HAS A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS CRACKED AND LEAKING COOLANT . IT IS UNREPAIRABLE AND MUST BE REPLACED . THIS PLASTIC SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN USED AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FAIL LIKE THIS AND THEY SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED .

NHTSA complaint #10284878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Snellville, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A SAFETY RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. ALL OF THE ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RESERVOIR. THE COPPER TUBING CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE THAT WENT TO THE RESERVOIR FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN STEAMING. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,078 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 03-25-08 *BF UPDATED 03/25/08

NHTSA complaint #10220145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,281 miles Havertown, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

INTAKE MANIFOLD THERMOSTAT HOUSING ( OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL) ON A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LX ENGINE, CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK, AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AT A COST OF $1055.18. FORD PROVIDED A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT TO "COMMERCIAL" USERS (POLICE, TAXIS ETC.), HOWEVER FORD DID NOT EXTEND THIS COVERAGE TO INDIVIDUAL OWNERS OF CARS BEYOND THE 1997 MODEL YEAR FORD CROWN VICTORIA LX.

NHTSA complaint #10197110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Benld, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE VEHICLE'S INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. *NM THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A TUNE UP AND IT STILL RAN ROUGH AND LEAKED FUMES. THE MANIFOLD WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. A METAL MANIFOLD INSTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10110867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,500 miles Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ONTO THE ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10112982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Benld, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *AK THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH. AS THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED, THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING GASOLINE/OXYGEN FUMES.

NHTSA complaint #10089439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Lincoln Park, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. AS A RESULT, STRESS CRACKS DEVELOPED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLES WAS NOT INCLUDED SINCE THE RECALL ONLY AFFECTED POLICE VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #10080108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,200 miles Roseville, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

COOLANT LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD. MANUFACTERING DEFECT IM TOLD, BUT NO RECALL. WHY NO RECALL?

NHTSA complaint #10066063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,453 miles Interlachen, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED CRACKS BECAUSE OF A FACTORY DESIGN FLAW. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE LOST COOLANT.

NHTSA complaint #10057648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,544 miles Flowery Branch, GA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SMALL CRACK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD AND DETACHED HOSE FITTING ON THE TOP OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. CAR OVERHEATED. CONTACTED FORD ON MARCH 21, 2003. JUST ENTERED MY COMPLAINT IN SYSTEM. I DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL (01M02) CONCERNING INTAKE MANIFOLDS FORD CROWN VICTORIA', BUT FORD STATES THAT MY YEAR MODEL DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, DESPITE BEING MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME PLANT ST. THOMAS. I HAD VEHICLE VIN# [XXX] REPAIRED AT GREENE FORD CO. ON MARCH 27 , 2003 AFTER THE SUGGESTION OF GREENE FORD CO. ON MARCH 20, 2003 TO USE EXPOXY SEALANT ON THE HOSE FITTING, BUT THAT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SUBSEQUENTLY I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AND HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED. TOTAL BILL WAS $741.98 INCLUDING TAX. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10014223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,544 miles Flowery Branch, GA 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. *JB THE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP, AND HOT ANTIFREEZE DISPENSED FROM THE INTAKE AND BURNED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE ADVISE OF THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO THE HOSE FITTING. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10014795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 643,050 miles Cape Coral, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THERE IS A CRACK IN THE "INTAKE MANIFOLD" THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A PLUG INSERTED THAT HAS COME OUT. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO OTHER POLICE "INTERCEPT" MODELS AND FORD REPLACED THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD WITH ALUMIN.

NHTSA complaint #10007981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dixon, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON 4 TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD A GAS CAP REPLACED AND IT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON 3 TIMES AFTER-THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE SOLENOID WAS TAKEN OFF AND HAD ENLONGATED, SLICED, PARABOLIC CUT/VERY SMALL INFRACTION-REPLACED SOLENOID ASSEMBLY-CANISTER VENT AND THE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS THE FOLLOWING: A REFUND OF THE COST OF THE GAS CAP, WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF THE PEBBLES IN THE SMOG DEVICE, AND A SHIELD ON THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS AT THE DEALERS COST. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #568237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morrero', LA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FASTENS TOO TIGHTLY. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK, AND ELECTRICAL DOORS ARE DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #890716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cranston, RI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

THE ELECTRICAL PLUG TO THE ALTERNATOR FAN MOTOR MELTS CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #558394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenwich, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #610219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ashland, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE 96 AND97 MODELS HAD FACTORY RECALLS, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 98 MODELS HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #720685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Catlettsburg, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

HAVE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES ON SEVERAL VEHICLES INCLUDING ADDITIONAL FAILURE OF OIL/LUBRICANT SYSTEM. FORD NOT RESPONDING FAVORABLY TOWARDS INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA complaint #719785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ojai, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

LOWER RADIATOR HOSE FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #608875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE KNOCKS WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA complaint #537589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elizebeth, NJ Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

GAS FUMES GOT INSIDE THE CAR. OWNER BLACKED OUT AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALE R HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND CANT FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #839842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Auburn, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WE PURCHASED TWO 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE VEHICLES AND BOTH HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE. TO MAKE REPAIRS REQUIRES THE CRANK SHAFT TO BE REMOVED. COST PLUS LOSS OF USE OF THE VEHICLE MAKES PROBLEM MORE SEVERE. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AROUND THE COUNTRY SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THIS FAILURE AND FOLLOW UP SURVEYS SHOULD BE DONE TO ASSESS SCOPE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #703880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norway Center, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE CONSUMER WENT OVER A RUMBLE STRIP ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THE FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED BY RUMBLE STRIP ON ROAD. *AK

NHTSA complaint #832093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aurora, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MOTOR STALLED AT BOTTOM OF THE HILL WHEN MANUALLY GOING FROM SECOND TO DRIVE. WHEN RESTARTING THE MOTOR IT THREW ME ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #537600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Angelo, TX Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. OWNER IS WORKING WITH DEALERSHIP ON REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #824367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Ford Crown Victoria problems

← Full 1998 Ford Crown Victoria report