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 1996 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The brake reservoir caught fire and caused the driver side emergency brake to fail. The failure also caused the wheels to lock. The manufacturer advised the contact to call his insurance company for a claim. The vehicle was parked at the time of the fire. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The brake line from the ABS pump to the right front brake rusted through which resulted in the loss of all fluid in the master cylinder. Further inspection found the two rear brake lines also severely rusted. The location of the failure and the extensively rusted rear lines was directly under the master cylinder, on top of the chassis rail.
Officer was traveling northbound on summit ave e at approximately 30-35mph. At the intersection of summit and e. Harrison st, the officer slowed to clear the intersection and to negotiate her patrol vehicle around a traffic circle. The officer negotiated her vehicle around the circle. North of the intersection, the officer attempted to brake but the brakes did not respond - ABS light was on and the ABS mode did not function. The officer then attempted to straighten the vehicle but found that the steering had failed as well. The vehicle fishtailed. The officer's vehicle was now heading west towards a legally parked vehcile on the west side of summit ave. E. The officer attempted to steer to the right to straighten out the vehicles movement. The officer found that the steering wheel would not turn like it had been locked. The vehicle had total steering failure. …
Officer was traveling northbound on summit ave e at approximately 30-35mph. At the intersection of summit and e. Harrison st, the officer slowed to clear the intersection and to negotiate her patrol vehicle around a traffic circle. The officer negotiated her vehicle around the circle. North of the intersection, the officer attempted to brake, but the brakes did not respond - ABS light was on and the ABS mode did not function. The officer then attempted to straighten the vehicle, but found that the steering had failed as well. The vehicle fishtailed. The officer's vehicle was now heading west towards a legally parked vehicle on the west side of summit ave. E. The officer attempted to steer to the right to straighten out the vehicles movement. The officer found that the steering wheel would not turn like it had been locked. The vehicle had total steering failure. …
Brakes failed. Driver noticed brake fluid leak and added brake fluid to get the car back to our residence. A review of the brake lines showed corrosion and leakage in the brake line only. All of the other lines and the under carriage show no corrosion at all. This is indicative of a defect in the material used for the brake line. This incident could have been more serious, possibly causing injuries or deaths if it were not for the actions of the driver.
Chief of police called to inform of recall notice received concerning Ford Crown Victoria lower ball joint failure. Door handles were replaced. Rear brake pads and rotors replaced at 18290, front pads and rotors were replaced at 28679 miles, front and rear brake pads replaced at 51031 miles. Intake manifold replaced twice. Heater hose replaced. Passenger side tail light replaced. Tire rotations are done every 3000 miles, however tires had to be replaced at approximately 9600 miles and at 600000 miles, no specific tire information given. Cooling fant and motor replaced. Tpc, pvc, and fuel regulator replaced.
Problem involves NHTSA recalls 98i001000 and 98V322000. Dealer and Ford say my car does not have these problems. I do not want to take the chance of having my steering control fail, or having my brakes fail. Please help. Also, the transmission has an extremely long shift from first to second. Ford has a TSB on this, and states this will not affect the transmission,but it will shorten the life and lead to possbile accumulator bore scuffing. Thanks!
Parking brake: the lining on the parking brakes (driver side) was separated and would not engage the parking brake when applied. The problem with the disk/drum combination of the rear rotors is that during brakes inspections the parking brake can be overlook. If the brake lining were to separate while drive at highway speeds it has the potential to cause a wheel to freeze and make the driver lose control of the vehicle.
THE BRAKE LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN 4 OF THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES BECAUSE THE FRAME RUBS A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE; [redacted]/1996, [redacted]/1995, AND [redacted]/1995. NOT SURE OF MILEAGE AND DATE.
Brakes were vibrating very loud, consumer was very concerned that brakes were going to quit. The front disc rotors failure and front rotors pulsating was the cause for loud vibration of brakes. The problem reoccored due to brake pad failure.
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 1996 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, 11% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Crown Victoria brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, though it has 9 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 1996 Ford Crown Victoria brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries 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.