Ford Crown Victoria Complaints (1997)

288 consumer complaints on file.

#10150258February 14, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH SLOWING TO A STOP, STEAM WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148833January 27, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND THE CONTROL ARM DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147951January 17, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT A USED 1997 CROWN VIC IN 2005 AND I NOTICED COOLANT LEAKAGE ON JAN 16, 2005. THE LEAKAGE MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT IT WAS NOT OBVIOUS ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143127November 18, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V322000 CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10140437October 21, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FLASHING HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR OCCURRENCES OR WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE CONNECTED TO A LARGE CONTROL MODULE INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE FUSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. *AK (11/17/05) THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SIGNAL LEVER AND PRESS ON THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH TO GET THEM TO WORK, BUT THE BRIGHT LIGHTS HAD TO BE HELD IN POSITION. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128816August 12, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. ON 6-12-05 THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE I40 WHEN HE SMELLED AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE HIGHWAY PATROL WHICH ARRANGED TO HAVE HIM TOWED TO BARSTOW. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN BECAUSE THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL THE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. WHEN THE MECHANIC FROM CASTNERS AUTO SERVICE 214 SOUTH BRADFORD AVENUE, PLACENTIA, CA 92870 TELEPHONE # 714-528-1311 WAS REMOVING THE SPARK PLUGS HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ALUMINUM FLAKING ON THEM. THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION. HE REPLACED THE ENGINE AND ALL THE PARTS THAT WENT WITH IT ON 6-15-05 THROUGH 6-30-05. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD COST MORE TO REPAIR THE ENGINE THAN TO BUY A NEW ONE. THE REPLACED ENGINE WAS FORD MANUFACTURED. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AS OF NOW. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN OCTOBER 1996. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131830August 7, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
I OWN A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA AND WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY THE CAR OVERHEATED AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF THE ROAD. AFTER TOWING TO MECHANIC HE IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A VERY COMMON ONE. THAT BEING THE PLASTIC ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF A FULLY COVERED WARRANTY/RECALL ITEM IF YOUR VEHICLE WAS A POLICE OR FLEET VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT COVERED TO THE PRIVATE CAR OWNER DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. WHO WOULD THINK SUCH A IMPORTANT COMPONENT MAKE OF PLASTIC WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO ANY CAR OWNER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127297July 1, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT LOSS AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. REPAIR BILL WAS $721.55. REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD IS A RE-DESIGNED, TWO COMPONENT PALSTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD/METAL CROSS-OVER COOLANT TUBE. CONTACTED FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT FORD REFUSED. WROTE NUMEROUS LETTERS AND EMAILS TO FORD BUT FORD REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY ENGINEERING. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS SORRY EXCUSE OF "FORD QUALITY". WHAT A JOKE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117935April 15, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA W/61,705 MILES WAS MAKING A STRANGE SOUND. THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKES, I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE CENTER. WHILE THEY WERE TESTING IT SMOKE STARTED POURED OUT OF THE HOOD. THE RESULT INDICATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC' MANIFOLD WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED W/A FORD PART THAT WAS A METAL PART. I UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A RECALL THAT ONLY INCLUDED POLICE OR FLEET CARS. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECOURSE TOWARD THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THIS CAR HAD ONLY 61,705 MILES ON IT. WHO WOULD THINK A PLASTIC MANIFOLD WOULD HOLD UP AT ALL? NOT ME CERTAINLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116100March 30, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY WHEN I GRADUALLY STARTED TO SMELL COOLANT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LOOKED AND SAW COOLANT LEAKING FROM AROUND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. I WENT AND REPLACED THE GASKET FOR THE THERMOSTAT AND ADDED SILICONE. THE COOLANT THAN STARTED TO LEAK EVEN WORSE. I LOOKED AT THE MANIFOLD AND IT APPEARED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK ON THE HOUSING. I FOUND OUT THAT VIA THE INTERNET AND A PUBLIC WORKS TECH THAT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLDS WERE DEFECTIVE. I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS OUT OF THEIR 7 YEAR WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. A KIT COSTS AROUND $589 AND CHEVRON QUOTED PARTS AND LABOR AT $1,050.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116975March 28, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF PLASTIC. IT SPLITS AT THE CASING SEAMS, WHICH CAUSES ANTI-FREEZE TO SHOOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115958March 28, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I OWN A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A MINI MALL WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF MY VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED. HAD THIS HAPPENED 10 MINUTES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE DOING 65 MPH. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS AS WELL AND AS SUCH I THINK THAT YOUR AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE. IN ADDITION, A PREVIOUS LETTER TO THIS DEFECT WAS SUBMITTED, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114787March 26, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE FOLLOWING IS A WELL KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED DESIGN CROWN VICTORIA 4.6 ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH FORD HAS IGNORED AND CLAIMED IT IS "INVESTIGATING" FOR THE ORDINARY CONSUMER, WHILE PROVIDING EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR POLICE CARS AND TAXIS. OBVIOUSLY, THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS FLEET MARKET. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN NEWS STORIES ON THIS VIA NBC. THE FAILURE RELATES TO A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKING PREMATURELY, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT FLUIDS, EXTREME CONSEQUENT ENGINE OVERHEATING, AND RESULTANT CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THEY SELL THE REPLACEMENT AND RE-ENGINEERED PART FOR NEARLY 600 DOLLARS AND CHARGE ALMOST 500 DOLLARS ADDITIONAL TO INSTALL IT. THIS IS A NON-MOVING PART WHICH SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL USE! THERE IS EVEN AN ENTIRE AFTERMARKET BUSINESS MAKING THESE PARTS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR LESS MONEY...ALTHOUGH I SUSPECT MOST FOLKS JUST PAY FORD TO DO THE REPAIR. QUERIES TO DEALERS MEET WITH A REITERATION OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND A KIND "SORRY, IT'S NOT COVERED" REPLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CASE OF FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION OF FITNESS, AS OPPOSED TO THE NORMAL RISKS OF WEAR AND TEAR...THEIR POLICY REGARDING LUCRATIVE FLEET EXTENDED REPAIRS SPEAKS TO THIS, IN MY OPINION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DEFECT DUE TO ENGINE STALLING AND POWER ASSIST LOSS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112160February 25, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BEGAN TO FILL WITH A WHITE SMOKE AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND LET THE CAR COOL OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP TO THE COST OF $1100 FOR A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF AND WOULD ONLY PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF MY CAR WAS A TAXI CAB OR A POLICE CAR!!!!! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112098February 24, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SOLE OWNER 1997 FORD CROWN VIC LX; INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED - APRIL 16, 2003; TSB REPORT ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY; COST INCURRED - $1170.00. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112112February 24, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED CAUSING PLUG SOCKETS TO FILL WITH WATER CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111845February 20, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD DISCOVERED WHEN CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED THINKING IT WAS A BAD SEAL, ONLY TO DISCOVER THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. NEW MANIFOLD IS ON ORDER $285 DOLLARS, STILL WAITING ON THE REPAIR BILL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111808February 19, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
THE HORN / CRUISE CONTROL / AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED YET. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087970December 21, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104022December 17, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLDS DEVELOPED FATIGUE CRACKS, RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE. COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE, OWNER WAS LUCKY TO BE ON LOCAL STREET AND NEAR TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP, SPENT $1100 ON REPAIR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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