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1998 Ford Crown VictoriaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 119 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

44
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.3× the Crown Victoria median · #11 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11913 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage92kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 19, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria has problems

119 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling295
Suspension181
Fuel system, gasoline150
Exterior lighting120
Electrical system83
Power train80
Structure70
Steering70
Visibility51
12 other systems244

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

1998 Ford Crown Victoria recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Recall 08V-051 · Feb 4, 2008 · 225,000 vehicles

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 03V-472 · Nov 6, 2003 · 4,218 vehicles

Risk. IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer

Recall 00V-200 · Jul 18, 2000 · 875,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 00V-157 · Jun 12, 2000 · 1,167 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 00V-157 · Jun 12, 2000 · 1,129 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 98V-322 · Dec 16, 1998 · 175,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Crown Victoria year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Crown Victoria median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Ford Crown Victoria safety ratings

1998 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1998 Ford Crown Victoria frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
9 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL-FED FIRESDP02007 · closed Dec 4, 2002
    No recall
  2. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  3. CNG TANK EXPLOSIONEA03001 · closed Nov 19, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-472
  4. REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FRAME MOUNTINGPE00043 · closed Feb 2, 2001
    No recall
  5. CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIREPE02071 · closed Jan 27, 2003
    No recall
  6. FRONT SEAT ANCHOR BOLT FAILUREPE98041 · closed Sep 29, 1998
    No recall
  7. INERTIA FUEL SHUT OFF SWITCHPE98057 · closed Feb 11, 1999
    No recall
  8. BLOW BACK DURING REFUELINGPE99047 · closed Sep 23, 1999
    No recall
  9. POST REAR END COLLISION FIRESSQ01014 · closed Oct 3, 2002
    Led to recall 02I003000
In owners' words

What Crown Victoria owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10924141 · Nov 3, 2016
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…
Complaint 10876989 · Jun 27, 2016 · 209,026 miles
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…
Complaint 10326035 · Apr 16, 2010 · 114,000 miles

Own a 1998 Crown Victoria?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.