Total Complaints
2 filings
FORD CVPI · model year
1996 FORD CVPI
2 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996FORDCVPI carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 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 CVPI is engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe with 1 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (1). 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 177 investigation files overlapping the 1996 CVPI, and 8 remain open. 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.
2
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20090613STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I JUST PURCHASED A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA PI. WHILE CHECKING UNDER THE CAR, I DISCOVERED THE FRAME WAS RUSTING AWAY IN THE AREA OF THE IDLER ARM & WHERE THE RIGHT SWAY BAR BUSHING IS ATTACHED (THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THAT IN PLACE IS GONE AS THERE'S NOTHING TO ATTACH IT TO). I TOOK THE CAR TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPAIR THIS (PROPERLY) WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING THE FRAME AND THAT TO PATCH IT WOULD DEGRADE THE DESIGNED ABILITY OF THE CAR TO PROTECT THE DRIVER & PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE BODY MAN ALSO MADE A REMARK TO ME THAT HE THOUGHT A BATTERY MIGHT HAVE LEAKED OUT AND CAUSE THAT DAMAGE. THE REST OF THE CAR SEEMS TO BE IN DECENT SHAPE. *TR
Mileage: 127,300
20031030CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY CAR OVERHEATED AND SHUT OFF, WHEN I GOT IT TO A REPAIR STATION, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION. ANYWAY, I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED, TO THE NEAREST PLACE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED TO THE COST OF $125.00. THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY, IT TOOK A WEEK TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED WITH A COST OF $779.00. THREE DAYS OFF WORK, BECAUSE OF IT AND ALSO LOSS OF WAGES AND LOSS OF USE OF AUTO. I HAVE NOTICED THAT FOR THE POLICE INTERCEPTOR, THAT IF YOU ARE ON THE POLICE FORCE THAT THIS WAS REPLACED AT NO COST..SO WHAT MAKES THE POLICE FORCE ANY BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE CONSUMER THAT PURCHASES THIS AUTO. WHY CAN THIS NOT BE REPLACED FOR ANYONE THAT HAPPENS TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. I FEEL THAT WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF THIS OCCURRENCE, THAT THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FOR THOSE THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE REPLACEMENT DONE, THEY SHOULD BE REIMBURSED THE AMOUNT OF MONIES THAT IT TOOK TO HAVE THIS SITUATION TAKEN CARE OF. LISA LOVEJOY. *LA
Compare 1996FORDCVPI to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 FORD CVPI have?▼
The 1996 FORD CVPI has 2 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 FORD CVPI?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 FORD CVPI is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.
Is the 1996 FORD CVPI safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
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.