Ford / Crown Victoria / 1996
1996 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Owners have filed 358 complaints about the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 23.7% of them — the clear leader, ahead of suspension at 15.4%.
Complaints358
Crashes17
Fires21
Injuries19
Deaths4
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 23.7% · 85
Suspension 15.4% · 55
Fuel system, gasoline 12.8% · 46
Steering 10.9% · 39
Service brakes, hydraulic 9.2% · 33
Vehicle speed control 5.3% · 19
Electrical system 3.6% · 13
Visibility 3.4% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 21 describe a fire, 19 report an injury and 4 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 12 model years of the Ford Crown Victoria in this data, 1996 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 1992 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 18 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 108,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 111,000 miles
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. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 196,000 miles
City of pensacola police vehicle a 1996 Crown Victoria, unit 842, caught fire while it was parked and shut off while parked under a carport damaging the rented mobile home and totalling the vehicle. Our jofficer was asleep at the time and was awaken by a neighbor who advised him that the vehicle was on fire. This could have been a fatality .Ity Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…