FaultScore

2008 Ford Crown Victoria acceleration problems

11 of the 64 complaints about the 2008 Ford Crown Victoria are about the throttle and cruise control — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 111,000 miles.

F

11

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 10 90.9%
Accelerator Pedal 1 9.1%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Crown Victoria year

1989 12 5.6%
1992 42 19.7%
1993 38 17.8%
1994 29 13.6%
1995 17 8.0%
1996 19 8.9%
1997 23 10.8%
2003 11 5.2%
2005 11 5.2%
2008 11 5.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 103,000 miles Sellersville, PA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SERVICE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #11104225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,365 miles Unadilla, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY GAS PEDAL STUCK TO FLOOR TURNED KEY OFF AND HIT BRAKES FELT LIKE PEDAL WANTED TO STAY DOWN.CITY STREET.

NHTSA complaint #11011486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Clayton, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10946172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,000 miles Shirley, MA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY- ROUTE 2 IN MASSACHUSETTS. AFTER TAPPING ON THE BRAKES TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SLOWING DOWN, THE CROWN VICTORIA- ON IT'S OWN- BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS SUDDEN AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AT THAT POINT, I SLAMMED AS HARD AS I COULD ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL- TO THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING. THE ENGINE OVERWHELMED BRAKES AND I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE- I COULD ONLY SLOW IT DOWN. I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (WHICH HAD COME TO A STOP). EVEN AFTER THE IMPACT, THE CROWN VICTORIA CONTINUED TO PUSH AGAINST THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THEN, JUST AS SUDDENLY AS IT STARTED, THE FULL BORE ACCELERATION STOPPED. I HAD A PERFECT DRIVING HISTORY PRIOR TO THIS MALFUNCTION. NO ACCIDENTS EVER. I HAD AMPLE SPACE AND TIME TO SAFELY STOP MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH MATS. I AM NOT SUING FORD. I AM NOT TRYING TO AVOID THE SURCHARGE. I CAN'T OFFER YOU TANGIBLE PROOF THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA- OTHER THAN MY TRUTHFUL TESTIMONY. I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND, UNTIL THAT ONE INCIDENT, IT WAS RUNNING NORMALLY. IT WAS RUNNING NORMALLY IN THE DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HAD A "WRENCH" LIGHT COME ON ONCE, A COUPLE OF WEEKS EARLIER BUT IT WAS GONE THE NEXT TIME I STARTED UP THE CAR. SO I DISMISSED IT. THE DAMAGE WAS RELATIVELY MINOR AND I HAVE FULL COLLISION. I CONSIDERED THE CAR SO UNSAFE TO DRIVE, HOWEVER, THAT I TOOK IT OFF THE ROAD AND GAVE IT AWAY. I WARNED THE PERSON I GAVE IT TO THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE USED ONLY FOR PARTS. WHAT I AM SAYING IS THE TRUTH AND IT IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT I TOLD THE MOTORIST I STRUCK AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10893344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,500 miles Ashville, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TWICE NOW WHILE SLOWING FOR AN INTERSECTION SOON AFTER VEHICLE START, THE VEHICLE GAS TRIED TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE BRAKES HAVE E BEEN APPLIED. THE CAR TRIED TO REV UP TO 5000RPM. UPON MANAGING TO STOP CAR, I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL , IT REVVED TO 5000RPM THEN SUDDENLY DROPPED BACK TO IDLE. BOTH TIMES HAVE NEARLY ENDED UP IN VEHICLE GOING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. CAR DROVE NORMALLY AFTER THAT.

NHTSA complaint #10855494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Chicago, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10850226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 164,446 miles SAN Jose, CA Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND CRASHED INTO AN ELECTRIC POLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,446.

NHTSA complaint #10760845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,714 miles Belsano, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK ON THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,714.

NHTSA complaint #10470556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Attapulgus, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND NO RESPONSE TO BRAKE PEDAL. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AT A HIGH RATE. HE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME PROBLEM HAS SINCE HAPPENED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/22/10

NHTSA complaint #10314349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,956 miles Vancouver, WA Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

POLICE CAR 2008 CROWN VICTORIA WAS SOUTHBOUND THROUGH INTERSECTION AND STRUCK BY AN EASTBOUND VEHICLE. THE CROWN VIC ACCELERATED POST IMPACT BY A STUCK THROTTLE LINKAGE AND LED TO TWO ADDITIONAL COLLISIONS. EVENT DATA RECORDER DOWNLOAD CONFIRMED THE OFFICER COMPLAINT OF THE STUCK THROTTLE. INITIAL IMPACT SPEED WAS 22 MPH, POST IMPACT ACCELERATED TO 25 FOR HEAD ON WITH STOPPED VAN IN ONCOMING LANE PUSHING VAN BACK AND SIDEWAYS. CV CONTINUED PAST AT A SPEED OF 16 MPH TO STRIKE IMPALA HEADON AND ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH BEFORE OFFICER COULD STOP. THROTTLE AT 100% WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND HIGH RPMS (4600) UNTIL OFFICER SHUT ENGINE OFF. CCSO REPORT NUMBER S08-14160.

NHTSA complaint #10253036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Fruitland Park, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INSTEAD OF ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES AND THE ISSUE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTERWARDS. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF A MONITORING SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STILL COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE PEDALS WERE INCHES AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,460. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF UPDATED 09/26/08.

NHTSA complaint #10240078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 Ford Crown Victoria problems

← Full 2008 Ford Crown Victoria report