1998 Ford CROWN VICTORIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 76 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 9 |
| Suspension:Rear | 7 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 9; Suspension:Rear: 7; Electrical System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Suspension: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 8
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 45 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 18; 2001: 5; 2002: 8; 2003: 8; 2004: 8; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 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 10222425 · 2008-03-26 (March 26, 2008)
LOSS OF REAR BRAKES WAS INDICATED BY THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH. UPON INSPECTION OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM, A RUPTURE IN THE REAR CROSSOVER HYDRAULIC LINE THAT SUPPLIES FLUID TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS DISCOVERED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF FLUID. THE RUPTURE OCCURRED WHERE THE LINE HAD BEEN CLAMPED TO THE UNDER SIDE OF THE REAR SHELF IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN A KINK IN THE LINE. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL HYDRAULIC LINE INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10222425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558618 · 2000-01-03 (January 3, 2000)
THE GAS PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO QUIT RUNNING ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE SECOND TIME THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING QUIT WORKING AS WELL, THE CONSUMER STATES THAT A REPAIR LETTER WAS SENT OUT MARCH OF 1999. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201255 · 2007-08-30 (August 30, 2007)
MY 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER SITTING FOR 12 HOURS. THE FIRE DEPT SAID IT STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR IS NOW COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 98 CROWN VICTORIA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY VIN DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. I KNOW THAT THEY ARE ADDING TO THE RECALL EVERYDAY. AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL MY CAR HAS BEEN ADDED, IF IT EVER GETS ADDED?
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11318675 · 2020-03-19 (March 19, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE WHICH CONTROLS THE IGNITION COILS AND THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE UNDER THE DASHBOARD BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO THE GROUND WIRE FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BILL BROWN FORD LOCATED AT (32222 PLYMOUTH RD, LIVONIA, MI 48150 [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, …
Owner-reported narrative. 237,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004085 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE FUEL TANK PROBLEM REGARDING HIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER ONLY RECALLED THE POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLE'S. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151873 · 2006-04-11 (April 11, 2006)
CONSUMER CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF 1998 CROWN VICTORIA GAS TANK. *TS *NM THE MANUFACTURER ONLY COVERED THE COST OF REPLACING RETROFIT FUEL TANKS ON POLICE CARS AND LIMOUSINES. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE PARTS. HE GOT A FORD DEALER TO INSTALL THE PARTS FREE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 36,437 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10447405 · 2012-02-10 (February 10, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND HE HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND UPPER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT CONTROL ARM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUM…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10447405 at NHTSA ↗