Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
First related symptom: few years ago brake lines rusted under the hood. Original remedy: I have painted them to protect them from further rust. Current issue: 12/26/2008 brake light switched on during drive to work. 12/26/2008 brake pedal got soft on the way back to home. 12/27/2008 I have checked the brake fluid. It was low. I have bought and add more fluid (car was not moved this day). While fluid was added I started the engine and in park gear I have pumped the brake pedal. It remained soft. Fluid got low again... There was a fluid on the pavement between rear axle and the fuel tank in the middle of the car. Speed of break deterioration and speed at which car is loosing fluid might lead to an accident. This is definitely a safety issue. Vehicle: Crown Victoria 1995, with ABS and traction assist. Break lines have corroded several years ago, now first has developed large leak. …
The brake fluid in my 1995 Ford Crown Victoria had to be topped off last week. The red brake light came on indicating the fluid was low. After filling the fluid and driving the car, the pedal felt a little on the soft side, but no light. On my way to work today, I was 2 miles from home and went to apply the brakes. I had no brakes whatsoever. The pedal did have some feel to it, but there was absolutely no brakes. Luckily, I veered off the road avoiding a collision with a car, and had to downshift the car to get it to slow down. After getting the car to 5 or so MPH, I shifted into reverse to stop the car, then park. The red brake light never came on and I had no warning of the failed brakes. After inspection, I found both brake lines to be rusted out on the drivers side frame rail. All brake lines on the car were inspected and are extremely rusty. …
Ford Crown Victoria rusted oil pan and brake failure. Customer states the brakes failed while backing out of a parking space. The oil pan rusted and was removed and replaced on a maintenance service. Updated 12/12/07 when the brakes failed, fluid was dripping from under the left/center body. The dealer informed the consumer the brake line was enclosed in the frame channel and the body would have to be lifted in order to make the repair. Updated 12/12/07
Dt*: the contact stated while driving the vehicle at 8 MPH, the brake light illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal. There were no brakes; the vehicle was driven home without any brakes. Upon inspection of the master cylinder the brake fluid was 3/4 empty. The vehicle was inspected further and the problem was the tubing that holds the brake fluid was corroded and cracked, causing the fluid to leak out. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 2/13/2006 -
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and attempting to decelerate, the brakes failed. The vehicle was put into neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the brake line was corroded. The brake line was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. While pulling out of the driveway at an unknown speed, the brake line exploded. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 98i001000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 125,000.
Brake line rusted through causing rear brakes to fail. The brake line piping should either be made of stainless steel, or coated with a rust preventative, or shielded in some way so water/snow/road salt can not get between it and the frame of the car, causing it to rust through. This isn't rocket science !!!!!!!!
Driver side seat belt is inoperative. Belt will either, not fasten or will release while fastened. Cause of the failure is undetermined. Also hile driving and brake pedal depressed, the pedal will "surge against driver's feet". When this occurs vehicle fails to stop, causing extended stopping distance.
Constant ABS failure caused by sensor and steel ring rust in brake system. Problem causes activation of ABS system without regard to speed, conditions or any braking effectiveness. ABS pump May run at any time the brakes are applied causing increased stopping distance on smooth dry roads.
(four wheel disc brakes). During inclement weather total loss of ABS capabilities. Resulting in vehicle crash. *akthe vehicle does not stop properly when the weather is damp or wet, and the responce time from initial brake depression to actual braking is too long.
NHTSA investigations
Rear brake line failure
Odi has received 40 complaints alleging rear brake line failure in the subject vehicles, including 8 that have been received this year.an additional 192 reports and 478 warranty claims have been received from Ford.a leak in the rear brake line can cause extended stopping distance.a search of odi's complaint database for peer vehicle complaints, using the same brake line failure criteria as for the subject vehicles…
Rear brake line failure
In a letter dated February 25, 2005, Ford motor company (Ford) notified odi that it would be conducting a customer satisfaction program (Ford no. 04b26) to correct a rear brake line chafing concern in approximately 44,000 model year (my) 1997 Ford crown victoria and grand marquis non-fleet vehicles equipped with electronic traction control that werebuilt after March 19, 1997.these vehicles have an additional rear…
Brake complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria, 13% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Crown Victoria brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Crown Victoria brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.