Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling84
- Service brakes, hydraulic52
- Suspension45
- Fuel system, gasoline29
- Vehicle speed control23
- Electrical system14
- Steering11
- Visibility10
- Exterior lighting9
- Structure8
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 18 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 7 1997 Crown Victoria vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 4 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria failed the safety check 0.86% of the time — 46% less often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 113,078 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
1 cars built in 1997 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025.
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 12.9 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 297 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Victoria · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 15.2 | 10.2 | 12.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria.
| 2008038 6 Feb 2008 | Electrical On certain vehicles, a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity may have been inadvertently installed during servicing for recall… |
| 2007258 7 Aug 2007 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears t… |
| 2003274 7 Nov 2003 | Fuel System On certain natural gas vehicles, in the rare circumstance that a flame from a vehicle interior fire becomes locally directed at the natural gas tank located imm… |
| 1999162 15 Sept 1999 | Emissions Certain CNG vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 1105 - Evaporative Emissions. The natural gas fuel fill valve may leak due to flaking of the … |
| 1998251 22 Dec 1998 | Suspension Note: 1996-99 crown victoria police, fleet and ngv and lincoln town car limousine equipped with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing an… |
| 1997069 1 Apr 1997 | Structure NOTE: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES ONLY. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER MAY EITHER WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD. EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS MAY RESULT IN THE HOO… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL, THE REAR BRAKE LINE MAY CHAFE DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN IT AND A FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB, AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK MAY OCCUR.
ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS VEHICLES, IF A FLAME FROM A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE BECOMES LOCALLY DIRECTED AT THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR SEAT, THE FLAME COULD DAMAGE THE FIBERGLASS WRAP ON THE TANK WEAKENING THE TANK.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER CAN WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636417 | GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. *TT UPDATE. *TT |
| 636408 | SOME DEDICATED CNG VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS OF HARD START / NO START / ROUGH RUNNING. *TT |
| 636080 | TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *TT |
| 636042 | SUBJECT REGARDING ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS TANK INSPECTION. *TT |
| 630628 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSSOVER (FIRST RUNNER) COOLANT SEEPAGE CONDITION. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 630320 | SOME DEDICATED COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A ROUGH IDLE, OR NO START IN COLD CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 630001 | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT |
| 627927 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT |
| 627791 | PARTS AND PROCEDURE TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES DURING RARE AND EXTREMELY HIGH-SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *TT |
| 627747 | THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT |
| 625804 | DEDICATED CNG REGULATOR BOWL KIT AVAILABLE. *JG |
| 625715 | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB |
| 624689 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL FILL VALVE SEALING CONDITION. *YD |
| 624571 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FEAD BELT JUMP-OFF TOSS. *YH |
| 624555 | INFORMATION REGARDING POLICE OPTION-REAR WINDOW DISABLE-TAMPER RESISTANCE. *YD |
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 621061 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT 04/15/2000 OR EARLIER EQUIPPED WITH A KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE DOOR-MOUNTED KEYPAD, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LAMPS THAT SELF-ACTIVATE AND A WEAK OR DISCHARGED VEHICLE BATTERY. *TT |
| 620174 | SOME OF THE COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLDS USED ON 4.6L SOHC ENGINES MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT THE COOLANT CROSSOVER DUCT. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE WHICH, IF NOT SERVICED, MAY CAUSE ENGINE OVERHEATING. COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT MAY RESULT IN ENGINE DAMAGE OR ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 619445 | OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM REGARDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE ON CERTAIN 4.6L SOHC INTAKE MANIFOLDS. SOME OF THE COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLDS MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT THE COOLANT CROSSOVER DUCT. *TT |
| 619424 | SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE IN 2001 VEHICLES - SAE 5W-20 MOTOR OIL. *TT |
| 619299 | INFORMATION ON REPLACING FUEL TANK STRAP BOLTS. *TT |
| 619150 | SERVICE ACTION 00E11, SUPPLEMENT #1 - UPDATE INFORMATION REGARDING ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM UPGRADE. *TT |
| 618614 | INFORMATION ON PROGRAMMING REMOTES AFTER DRIVER DOOR MODULE REPLACEMENT. *JB |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE
CNG TANK EXPLOSION
BALL JOINT SEPARATION
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES
FUEL-FED FIRES
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES
FRONT SEAT ANCHOR BOLT FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation