FaultScore

2004 Ford Crown Victoria engine problems

12 of the 175 complaints about the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria are about the engine — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,106 miles.

F

12

Complaints

2

Crashes

3

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 4 33.3%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 2 16.7%
Engine 2 16.7%
Exhaust System 1 8.3%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 8.3%
Gasoline 1 8.3%
Cooling System 1 8.3%

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 116,000 miles Chester, TX

ENGINE

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: I WAS IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC. WITHOUT WARNING, MY ENGINE STARTED TO RACE FULL SPEED. (IN A CROWN VICTORIA, THAT'S VERY FAST). THE ONLY WAY TO SLOW IT WAS TO PUSH THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD. FINALLY GOT IT PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. EVEN IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RACED FULL SPEED. VERY FRIGHTENING!!! A MAN CAME FROM TIPTON FORD IN NACOGDOCHES, TX AND TOOK IT TO SHOP. THEY INSTALLED (1-2W7Z*9F715*BA VALVE ASY - THROTTLE AIR BY-PASS). CHARGED ME $278.00!! I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL REPAIRS TO THIS CAR. I HAVE ALWAYS TRUSTED THIS CAR TO BE SAFE. NOW THAT SECURITY HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LAWSUIT INVOLVING THIS PROBLEM. IF SO, I WANT MY MONEY BACK !!

NHTSA complaint #10837687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Northampton, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,900.

NHTSA complaint #10599170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,106 miles Wyandotte, MI Crash 1 injured

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

DRIVING S ON M-10 FROM I-94 TO I-75 ENTRANCE RAMP. I ENTERED THE RAMP AT 25- 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. BEFORE I KNEW IT I HIT THE CURB AND THEN ROLLED OVER APPROX. 3 TIMES DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND FINALLY HITTING A CONCRETE BARRIER WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE HEAT SHIELD FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS FOUND UNDER THE CAR, YOU COULD SEE IT RUSTED OFF AND YOU COULD SEE THE MARKS ON IT WHERE IT JAMMED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE ENGINE BLOCK (STILL HAVE THE PART). BECAUSE OF THE COST CUTTING IN MATERIALS IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS HEAT SHIELD OUT OF SHEET METAL AND NOT OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT. NOW BECAUSE OF THIS INFERIOR DESIGN AND THE ACCIDENT IT CAUSED, I'M DEALING WITH TBI, PTSD, PBA, NECK INJURY, LOWER BACK INJURY (WHICH IS AFFECTING MY LEGS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO WALK). A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT I GRADUATED WITH A BACHELORS DEGREE IN MARKETING, BUT NOW BECAUSE OF MY INJURIES I AM UNABLE TO WORK. THIS NEEDLESS ACCIDENT HAS CAUSED ME FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, I LOST MY HOME, UNABLE TO PAY MY STUDENT LOANS, UNABLE TO PAY MY BILLS. THIS ALL STEMS FROM SOMEONE AT FORD'S DECIDING TO CUT COSTS IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE HEAT SHIELD OUT OF SHEET METAL INSTEAD OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL. FORD SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT A MAJORITY OF THESE CROWN VICTORIA'S ARE OWNED IN AREAS WHERE SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER. YOU WOULD THINK FORD'S BEING LOCATED IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN WOULD USE COMMON SENSE IN THEIR DESIGN OF THIS PART, KNOWING SALT IS HEAVILY USED IN SNOW REMOVAL IN MICHIGAN. THEY SAVED A FEW DOLLARS, BUT IN DOING SO THEY RUINED MY LIFE !! I JUST WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WHERE CAUSED BY THIS POOR DESIGN? I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER LIVES HAVE BEEN RUINED AND DON'T REALIZE IT WAS CAUSED BY THIS DEFECTED DESIGN. I WAS JUST LUCKY TO FIND THE PART TO SHOW WHAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. ..UPDATED 05/20/14 *BF...UPDATED 08/10/15*BF UPDATED 8/17/17

NHTSA complaint #10578715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,106 miles Wyandotte, MI Crash 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DRIVING S ON M-10 FROM I-94 TO I-75 ENTRANCE RAMP. I ENTERED THE RAMP AT 25- 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. BEFORE I KNEW IT I HIT THE CURB AND THEN ROLLED OVER APPROX. 3 TIMES DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND FINALLY HITTING A CONCRETE BARRIER WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE HEAT SHIELD FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS FOUND UNDER THE CAR, YOU COULD SEE IT RUSTED OFF AND YOU COULD SEE THE MARKS ON IT WHERE IT JAMMED THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE ENGINE BLOCK (STILL HAVE THE PART). BECAUSE OF THE COST CUTTING IN MATERIALS IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS HEAT SHIELD OUT OF SHEET METAL AND NOT OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL IT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT. NOW BECAUSE OF THIS INFERIOR DESIGN AND THE ACCIDENT IT CAUSED, I'M DEALING WITH TBI, PTSD, PBA, NECK INJURY, LOWER BACK INJURY (WHICH IS AFFECTING MY LEGS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO WALK). A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT I GRADUATED WITH A BACHELORS DEGREE IN MARKETING, BUT NOW BECAUSE OF MY INJURIES I AM UNABLE TO WORK. THIS NEEDLESS ACCIDENT HAS CAUSED ME FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, I LOST MY HOME, UNABLE TO PAY MY STUDENT LOANS, UNABLE TO PAY MY BILLS. THIS ALL STEMS FROM SOMEONE AT FORD'S DECIDING TO CUT COSTS IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE HEAT SHIELD OUT OF SHEET METAL INSTEAD OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL. FORD SHOULD HAVE REALIZED THAT A MAJORITY OF THESE CROWN VICTORIA'S ARE OWNED IN AREAS WHERE SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER. YOU WOULD THINK FORD'S BEING LOCATED IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN WOULD USE COMMON SENSE IN THEIR DESIGN OF THIS PART, KNOWING SALT IS HEAVILY USED IN SNOW REMOVAL IN MICHIGAN. THEY SAVED A FEW DOLLARS, BUT IN DOING SO THEY RUINED MY LIFE !! I JUST WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WHERE CAUSED BY THIS POOR DESIGN? I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER LIVES HAVE BEEN RUINED AND DON'T REALIZE IT WAS CAUSED BY THIS DEFECTED DESIGN. I WAS JUST LUCKY TO FIND THE PART TO SHOW WHAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. ..UPDATED 05/20/14 *BF...UPDATED 08/10/15*BF UPDATED 8/17/17

NHTSA complaint #10578715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Stroudsburg, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE # 6 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY ENGINES CYLINDER HEAD ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AIR LEAKING FROM MY WHEELS & A VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10451036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,430 miles N LAS Vegas, NV Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING COOLANT LOST AND SMOKING ENGINE. VEHICLE EMERGENCY STOPPED AND TOWED. CONSUMER FACING EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTS .

NHTSA complaint #10365830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,430 miles N LAS Vegas, NV Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING COOLANT LOST AND SMOKING ENGINE. VEHICLE EMERGENCY STOPPED AND TOWED. CONSUMER FACING EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTS .

NHTSA complaint #10365830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,002 miles Granger, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING I SUDDENLY FOUND IT VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT. USING CONSIDERABLE FORCE I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN - BUT ONLY JUST. INVESTIGATION BY MYSELF LATER SHOWED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD FALLEN OFF DUE TO CORROSION AROUND THE TWO 10MM BOLTS THAT HOLD IT ON. IT HAD THEN FALLEN ONTO THE STEERING SHAFT AND MUST HAVE WEDGED AGAINST SOMETHING WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TURN. IT WAS STILL ON TOP OF THE STEERING SHAFT WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD AFTER DRIVING A MILE HOME (VERY CAREFULLY). HAD SOMEONE BEEN DRIVING WITH LESS EXPERIENCE OR STRENGTH THAN MYSELF THIS FAILURE COULD VERY EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #10317493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Sewickley, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2004 FORD CROWN VICTORIA # 2 CYLINDER BLEW OUT SPARK PLUG. HAD TO HAVE HELI-COL INSTALLED TO MAKE REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10279457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,336 miles Youngsville, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE PROBLEM BEGAN AS A SMALL HISSING SOUND, MUCH LIKE THAT OF A EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK. I WAS ON MY WAY OF TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO ENSURE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WHEN A LOUD <BANG> OCCURRED. PARTS OF THE SPARKPLUG BOOT WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10218563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Newton, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ROUTINELY WHEN DRIVING MY 2004 FORD CROWN VICTORY (USED AS A HACKNEY CARRIAGE) AUTOMOBILE EXHIBITS VIOLENT, POTENTIALLY DEADLY BEHAVIOR. THE LOSES ITS OPERATIONAL ABILITY AND DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE LATEST NEAR-ACCIDENT SITUATION UNFOLDED AS FOLLOWS: WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH THE AUTOMOBILE JUMPED (SWERVED) FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE WITHOUT ME HAVING MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I RETAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND, BUT PROCEEDED TO JERK FORWARD AT A DECREASING SPEED AND VIBRATE FEVERISHLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL APPEARED TO BE JAPED HALF-WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE REAR-AXLE BEARINGS PRODUCED A LOT OF NOISE. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS (DURING COLD WEATHER) THE ENGINE SHUT-OF WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. AFTER THE CAR STOPPED, I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. AFTER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO JERK VIOLENTLY FORWARD AND BACKWARD. WHEN STEERING THE CAR HOME, THE ANGLE OF AT WHICH I HELD THE STEERING WHEEL, DID NOT CORRESPOND TO THE DIRECTION THAT THE CAR WOULD TRAVEL IN. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED PRE-OWNED WITH 4,000 MILES ON IT AND THESE SEVERE INCIDENTS BEGAN OCCURRING AFTER ANOTHER 2,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP DOZENS OF TIME, EACH TIME THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS SAID THAT THE CAR IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. TWICE, WARRANTY SERVICE WAS DENIED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 26,000 MILES. FORD IS NO WILLING TO SOLVE THESE POTENTIALLY DEADLY ISSUES. AS A TAXI DRIVER, I AM IN THIS VEHICLE FOR 12 HOURS A DAY CARRYING DOZENS OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY. IF ONE OF THESE TIME I AM UNABLE TO CATCH THESE FAILURES A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT MAY HAPPEN. ALL THESE PROBLEMS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR AS AN INHERENT MANUFACTURING DEFECT, THAT ITS MANUFACTURER FORD IS NOT RECOGNIZING. THIS FAILURE TO CORRECT THEIR ENGINEERING FAILURE IS VERY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY.

NHTSA complaint #10149398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,944 miles Hempstead, TX Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO SEND AN ENGINEER TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE. WITNESSES SAID THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING THEY COULD HEAR THE ENGINE TRYING TO START. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10117062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Ford Crown Victoria problems

← Full 2004 Ford Crown Victoria report