Total Complaints
358 filings
FORD CROWN VICTORIA · model year
358 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996FORDCROWN VICTORIA carries 358 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 21 fires, 19 injuries, and 4 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 CROWN VICTORIA is fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system with 29 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (27) and suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1996 CROWN VICTORIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
358 filings
Crashes Reported
17 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM | 29 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 27 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 19 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 16 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 16 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 16 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 15 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES | 7 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 7 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM | 7 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OFF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A LOT, THERE WAS A LOUD METAL BRAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LOWER BALL JOINT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE INDEPENDENT PARKING LOT WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED FAULTY RUBBER SEAL WAS DUE TO CORROSION AND MAY HAVE ANOTHER ONE WITH SAME PROBLEM.*JB *BF
Mileage: 136,000
#1 - I CONSTANTLY HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND DURING 2 INSPECTIONS I RECEIVED A SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL PRINTOUT, DEFECT # DR-1209 FOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS. BOTH TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THERE'S NO RECALL FOR IT. I JUST NOTICED ON THE NHTSA SITE, THAT RECALLS ONLY GO BACK AS FAR AS 1999. THEY ALSO SAID THAT SINCE IT'S NO LONGER A "POLICE OWNED" VEHICLE, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. # 2 - I HAVE BEEN GETTING A CONSTANT SEVERE FUEL SMELL THAT PERMEATES THROUGH THE CAR WHICH IS EXACERBATED WITH WARM WEATHER AND OR WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. #3 - THERE'S A CONSTANT ISSUE OF THE CAR VIBRATING WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT 55 - 60 MPH.
#1 - I CONSTANTLY HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND DURING 2 INSPECTIONS I RECEIVED A SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL PRINTOUT, DEFECT # DR-1209 FOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS. BOTH TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THERE'S NO RECALL FOR IT. I JUST NOTICED ON THE NHTSA SITE, THAT RECALLS ONLY GO BACK AS FAR AS 1999. THEY ALSO SAID THAT SINCE IT'S NO LONGER A "POLICE OWNED" VEHICLE, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. # 2 - I HAVE BEEN GETTING A CONSTANT SEVERE FUEL SMELL THAT PERMEATES THROUGH THE CAR WHICH IS EXACERBATED WITH WARM WEATHER AND OR WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. #3 - THERE'S A CONSTANT ISSUE OF THE CAR VIBRATING WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT 55 - 60 MPH.
#1 - I CONSTANTLY HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND DURING 2 INSPECTIONS I RECEIVED A SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL PRINTOUT, DEFECT # DR-1209 FOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS. BOTH TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THERE'S NO RECALL FOR IT. I JUST NOTICED ON THE NHTSA SITE, THAT RECALLS ONLY GO BACK AS FAR AS 1999. THEY ALSO SAID THAT SINCE IT'S NO LONGER A "POLICE OWNED" VEHICLE, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. # 2 - I HAVE BEEN GETTING A CONSTANT SEVERE FUEL SMELL THAT PERMEATES THROUGH THE CAR WHICH IS EXACERBATED WITH WARM WEATHER AND OR WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. #3 - THERE'S A CONSTANT ISSUE OF THE CAR VIBRATING WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT 55 - 60 MPH.
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
Mileage: 150,000
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.
Mileage: 150,000
I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 24TH, 2011 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WHO SAID, "THE COOLANT LEAK", BUT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WHEN I DROVE IT HOME LESS THAN 3 MILES AWAY THE HOOD OF MY CAR WAS SMOKING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WITH MY FRIEND WHO DROVE HIS CAR TO ENSURE MY SAFETY, MY CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 10 MINUTES! I WAS SO FRANTIC THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BURNED UP IN THE CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INFORM ME THAT THIS MAY BE A RECALL AND TO CHECK WITH THE FORD CORPORATION AND I DID CALLED FORD CORPORATION AND FOUND OUT THIS VEHICLE HAD CONTROL CRUISE HARNESS AND A INTAKE MANIFOLD RECALL ID IS 01M02, THE DEALERSHIP FOR CAMELBACK FORD IN PHOENIX, MR. CHAD MCDOWELL OFFER THIS RECALL NUMBER BUT HIS EMPLOYEE [XXX] OFFER TO HELP ME FIX THE BOTH PROBLEMS, THEN LATER ON NEGATED. I FEEL A RECALL OF ANY VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER BE EXPIRED BASE ON THESE ISSUES OF SAFETY AND REGARDLESS OF A SETTLEMENT THAT MAY HAVE BE
Mileage: 35
I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 24TH, 2011 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WHO SAID, "THE COOLANT LEAK", BUT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WHEN I DROVE IT HOME LESS THAN 3 MILES AWAY THE HOOD OF MY CAR WAS SMOKING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WITH MY FRIEND WHO DROVE HIS CAR TO ENSURE MY SAFETY, MY CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 10 MINUTES! I WAS SO FRANTIC THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BURNED UP IN THE CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INFORM ME THAT THIS MAY BE A RECALL AND TO CHECK WITH THE FORD CORPORATION AND I DID CALLED FORD CORPORATION AND FOUND OUT THIS VEHICLE HAD CONTROL CRUISE HARNESS AND A INTAKE MANIFOLD RECALL ID IS 01M02, THE DEALERSHIP FOR CAMELBACK FORD IN PHOENIX, MR. CHAD MCDOWELL OFFER THIS RECALL NUMBER BUT HIS EMPLOYEE [XXX] OFFER TO HELP ME FIX THE BOTH PROBLEMS, THEN LATER ON NEGATED. I FEEL A RECALL OF ANY VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER BE EXPIRED BASE ON THESE ISSUES OF SAFETY AND REGARDLESS OF A SETTLEMENT THAT MAY HAVE BE
Mileage: 35
I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 24TH, 2011 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WHO SAID, "THE COOLANT LEAK", BUT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WHEN I DROVE IT HOME LESS THAN 3 MILES AWAY THE HOOD OF MY CAR WAS SMOKING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WITH MY FRIEND WHO DROVE HIS CAR TO ENSURE MY SAFETY, MY CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 10 MINUTES! I WAS SO FRANTIC THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BURNED UP IN THE CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INFORM ME THAT THIS MAY BE A RECALL AND TO CHECK WITH THE FORD CORPORATION AND I DID CALLED FORD CORPORATION AND FOUND OUT THIS VEHICLE HAD CONTROL CRUISE HARNESS AND A INTAKE MANIFOLD RECALL ID IS 01M02, THE DEALERSHIP FOR CAMELBACK FORD IN PHOENIX, MR. CHAD MCDOWELL OFFER THIS RECALL NUMBER BUT HIS EMPLOYEE [XXX] OFFER TO HELP ME FIX THE BOTH PROBLEMS, THEN LATER ON NEGATED. I FEEL A RECALL OF ANY VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER BE EXPIRED BASE ON THESE ISSUES OF SAFETY AND REGARDLESS OF A SETTLEMENT THAT MAY HAVE BE
Mileage: 35
I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 24TH, 2011 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WHO SAID, "THE COOLANT LEAK", BUT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WHEN I DROVE IT HOME LESS THAN 3 MILES AWAY THE HOOD OF MY CAR WAS SMOKING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WITH MY FRIEND WHO DROVE HIS CAR TO ENSURE MY SAFETY, MY CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 10 MINUTES! I WAS SO FRANTIC THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BURNED UP IN THE CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INFORM ME THAT THIS MAY BE A RECALL AND TO CHECK WITH THE FORD CORPORATION AND I DID CALLED FORD CORPORATION AND FOUND OUT THIS VEHICLE HAD CONTROL CRUISE HARNESS AND A INTAKE MANIFOLD RECALL ID IS 01M02, THE DEALERSHIP FOR CAMELBACK FORD IN PHOENIX, MR. CHAD MCDOWELL OFFER THIS RECALL NUMBER BUT HIS EMPLOYEE [XXX] OFFER TO HELP ME FIX THE BOTH PROBLEMS, THEN LATER ON NEGATED. I FEEL A RECALL OF ANY VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER BE EXPIRED BASE ON THESE ISSUES OF SAFETY AND REGARDLESS OF A SETTLEMENT THAT MAY HAVE BE
Mileage: 35
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TALK TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS POSITIONED INCORRECTLY, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK THAT A FIRE WOULD OCCUR. (HE STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID). HE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP OR SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000.
Mileage: 17,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH CAUSED ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAK WAS NOTICED DUE TO THE BURNING CHEMICAL ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $1,000 AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE WAS DENIED REPAIRS UNDER THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THE ODOR FROM THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS OVERBEARING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000. UPDATED 4/16/09 *CN UPDATED 04/20/09. *JB
Mileage: 82,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. SHE NOTICED AN ORANGE FLAME UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND THE FIRE QUICKLY ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 196,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB
Mileage: 196,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. SHE NOTICED AN ORANGE FLAME UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND THE FIRE QUICKLY ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 196,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB
Mileage: 196,000
1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN AUGUST AND SHE RECEIVED A RECALL IN SEPTEMBER. SHE BELIEVES THAT SHE WASN'T TREATED FAIRLY BY FORD. SHE LOST BOTH CARSEATS, TIRES, BRAKES, AND ROTORS IN THE FIRE. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE BRAKE RESERVOIR CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER SIDE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO FAIL. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY FOR A CLAIM. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE SAME DAY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TWO TIMES TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,582.
Mileage: 103,582
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE THERMOSTAT STUCK AND BECAME HOT. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111,000.
Mileage: 111,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE THERMOSTAT STUCK AND BECAME HOT. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111,000.
Mileage: 111,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.