Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicle caught fire while parked and was destroyed. A police report was filed. The fire is related to the recall for the vehicle speed control. The contact received the recall notice after the fire occurred. The vehicle had an intercepting motor and was towed. The VIN was not legible due to the fire. The engine size and recall number were unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact's vehicle caught fire. A local mechanic repaired the heater core and manifold, but now there is an oil leak. The contact received a recall notice stating that the speed control could cause a fire. The dealer stated that because the repairs were made by an unauthorized mechanic, the contact would not be reimbursed for the repairs. The failure mileage was 128,705 and current mileage was 98,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while pulling into the driveway at 5 MPH, the vehicle lurched forward and crashed into a tree without warning. Although both occupants were wearing their seat belts, minor injuries were sustained. There vehicle was totaled due to the extensive damage. The police were on the scene and a report was taken. Updated 5/10/2006 -
At 1:15 a.m. On December 27, 2006, I drove my 1997 Crown Victoria for aproximatly 20 miles and parked in my driveway. About an hour and thirty minutes later, I was awaken by a popping sound and the dog barking. I looked out the window to find the car's engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. I then called 911 and ran out to try to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. The heat from the fire burned through the hood on the drivers side in the area of the braking systems master cilinder, then ignited the drivers side tire and all plastic components rendering the hose inefective. By the time the fire truck arrived, the flames had spread to the passenger side of the car and a massive plastic / rubber fire ensued.the firemen doused it with water for about fifteen minutes then used a foaming agent to extinguish what was left of the vehicle. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact had the dealer remove the speed control on the vehicle. He was informed that it would be replaced by mid December of 2007. As of February 20, 2008, the speed control has yet to be replaced. The contact is currently being informed that the part May be available in approximately May or June of 2008. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 44,000. Updated 03/11/08
1997 Ford Crown Victoria caught fire. Customer states that car was checked by the dealer for the defective part for the recall regarding the speed control deactivation switch and the mechanic told him everything was fine. Fire department stated the fire started in the engine compartment. According to the report, the fire was determined to be electrical.
1997 Ford Crown Victoria cruise control problem the consumer received a recall notice in the mail regarding the speed control deactivation switch. He went to the dealer to have the replacement part installed which only took a few minutes. While driving, the consumer decided to test the cruise control and soon discovered the cruise control did not work. The cruise on light never came on. After the part was installed, the mechanic did not take the vehicle for a test drive. The consumer immediately turned around and drove back to the dealer. The consumer was informed he would have to pay $87.00 for the diagnostic because the trouble shooting/diagnostic was not authorized/covered by the recall. The consumer stated the cruise control was working perfectly before the replacement part was installed.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact received a Ford recall notice for the vehicle speed control: cruise control in September of 2007. He immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired and a Ford representative informed him that the parts would be unavailable until October. The cruise control was disconnected on September 24, 2007. The contact called back in December and was informed that the parts would be available in January of 2008. The dealer never called him back to inform him that the parts would be available. There had been no failure to date. The powertrain and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 120,000. Updated 02-21-08
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact received a Ford recall notice in August of 2007 for the vehicle speed control: cruise control. She immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The dealer disconnected the cruise control and advised her that the parts would not be available until December of 2007. She called the dealer back in December and they stated that the parts would be available in May of 2008. The contact has not notified the manufacturer. There had been no failure to date. The powertrain and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 99,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The dealer stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 08V051000 (vehicle speed control:cruise control). The speed control switch was deactivated at the cost of $100. She called the manufacturer because the dealer charged her for the repair and was advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. One year later, the contact received another recall notice advising her to return to the dealer to finish the repair. She has not had the repair completed. The contact has a copy of the invoice. The failure and current mileages were unknown.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on February 18, 2008. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Vehicle speed control
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected…
NHTSA investigations
Fuel-fed fires
The fars data shows that the risk of fire from impact in all directions in the subject vehicles is the same as all other sedans.the subject vehicles are not over represented with respect to the risk of fire in real-world high-energy crashes.a further discussion of issues related to post crash fires in the subject vehicles is set out in the closing report for sq 01-014 and that report is in the docket for this…
Acceleration complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 8% of the model year's 288 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Crown Victoria acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-051 (cruise control, Feb 4, 2008); NHTSA recall 07V-336 (vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Crown Victoria acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 4 fires and 11 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.