1996 Ford CROWN VICTORIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
176 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
103,582 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 55 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 176 complaints (15.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 11.4% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 4.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 28 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 21 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 6 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 28; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 21; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 14
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 121 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 22 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 20 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1996: 22; 2000: 26; 2001: 20; 2002: 32; 2003: 20; 2004: 8; 2005: 17; 2006: 9; 2007: 5; 2008: 9; 2009: 2; 2011: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10020967 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
BRAKES FAILED. DRIVER NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO GET THE CAR BACK TO OUR RESIDENCE. A REVIEW OF THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED CORROSION AND LEAKAGE IN THE BRAKE LINE ONLY. ALL OF THE OTHER LINES AND THE UNDER CARRIAGE SHOW NO CORROSION AT ALL. THIS IS INDICATIVE OF A DEFECT IN THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE BRAKE LINE. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURIES OR DEATHS IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE DRIVER. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 29,510 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025757 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. DETERIATED FLUID LINE UNDER DRIVER'S DOOR. ALL FLUID WAS DISCHARGED AND WAS LEFT WITHOUT ANY BRAKES AT ALL. SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038150 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PITMAN ARM BROKE AT THE STEERING LINKAGE. CONSUMER . *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 55,848 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10178967 · 2007-01-17 (January 17, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR WITH 108000 MILES AND THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD THAT COVERS THE FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (02I003000): AND (96V135000) FOR STEERING:LINKAGES THAT HAD NOT BEEN FIXED ON HIS VEHICLE. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL TO DATE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10178967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559561 · 2014-01-13 (January 13, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FRACTURED IN THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 3/21/14*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559562 · 2014-01-13 (January 13, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FRACTURE IN THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001231 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
THERE HAS BEEN 3 DEATHS AND 1 CRITICAL INJURY WITHIN THE ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT, REGARDING THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE CRUISER'S, THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CATCH ON FIRE IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A REAR SIDE IMPACT COLLISION.*JB *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001438 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL #021003000 FUEL TANK/POLICE VEHICLE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008504 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK WHICH COULD GET ONTO WIRING AND CAUSE A FIRE, OR ENGINE OVER HEATING WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. FORD HAS A RECALL ON POLICE CARS AND TAXI'S BUT NOT REGULAR CROWN VICTORIA'S.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 131,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204554 · 2007-10-01 (October 1, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS ON FIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY IF HE COULD PROVIDE PICTURES, A POLICE REPORT, AND THE TITLE BECAUSE A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SPEED CONTROL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT LOCATE THE POLICE REPORT. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 99,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746243 · 2001-06-01 (June 1, 2001)
WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE. THE SELECTOR LEVER JUST HUNTED BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROPER GEAR. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP: JIM JENNINGS TRANSMISSIONS, 601 EASTERN BLVD., ESSEX, MD, 21221, [phone removed]. THEY INFORMED ME THAT A RETAINER BOLT HAD FALLEN FROM BENEATH THE DASH THAT SUPPORTED THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR CABLE HOUSING. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THIS HAD BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE IT WITH THREAD LOC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 888621 · 2001-05-18 (May 18, 2001)
INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED, ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK AND SPRAY INTO ALTERNATOR AND DESTROY IT. MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK ALSO OVERHEATING CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL, WHEN THE MANIFOLD LEAKED OUT ALL THE COOLANT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF IT, BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER UNLESS ITS IN LIQUID.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 888621 at NHTSA ↗