Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
I experienced the failure of both front hydraulic brake system and rear hydraulic brake system due to corroded(rusted) brake line (piping) within one year. I also experienced fuel tank failure due to rust at tank seam at approximately the same time. Tank failed 11/30/03, front brake system failure 03/16/04, rear brake system failure 12/04, both due to piping rust out.
The intake manifold failed and coolant leaked from crack in the intake manifold. Ford knows of the problem and has several recalls for the problem that covers only the fleet cars (taxi and police). The same defective part is used on consumer vehicles. I think that all 4.6l sohc v8 engines with this design defect should be covered.
Faint sudden noise from the engine compartment (coolant causing serpentine belt slippage, I believe) and then the engine overheated. Due to roughly a 3 inch crack in the intake manifold plastic composite which dumped coolant into the back of the alternator. I was able to pull off before the engine was damaged. Both the dealer, who is to be commended for a quick and effective repair (makes one wonder if the mechanics have had a lot pf practice with this repair), and Ford motor company tell me there is no relief for repairs on a car with my VIN although the replacement part is constructed of metal and composite rather than composite alone. I appreciate this design change which hopefully will ward off another similar failure but doesn't changing the design recognize that there was a weakness? On this same web-site I read that some Ford fleet vehicles were recalled and repaired. …
This is apparently a widespread problem on 1996 and newer Crown vics, t-birds, mustangs and lincolns. Ford knows there is a design problem, but refuses to bear the cost. Plenty of complaint info can be found on the web - see www.thecomplaintstation.com a Ford recall is in effect for 96-98 Crown vic taxis made in their st. Thomas plant. Very frustrating - my failure happened on the interstate at 75+ MPH with no warning. Luckily I could pull off the highway. Going to cost $600+ to repair. Ford doesn't seem to care. Our city garage has replaced at least 5 failed manifolds on cv police cruisers with redesigned manifolds (Ford must know there is an issue here to redesign the manifolds). Mine is not an isolated incident - look at your complaint database and the website I referenced. Please do something!!!no safety defec tlisted.
Plastic intale manifold water tubes failed. Cory Ford binghamton, ny. Parts dept related that this is a high rate failure mode. On Ford & Mercury "w" setries engines.re-engineered replacement manifold kit cost aprox $500.00 kit includes re designed intake manifold with aluminum encapsulated tubing , new gaskets & new design alternator bracket. Total cost of repair over 1,000.00. This should be a recall it is a design error. It is not covered by warranty. With a heart condition I was fortunate that this failure did not occur in a remote area. This is a failure is directly related to an inherrant design deficiency. One only has to compare the kit to the OEM part to verify this.
Ford knows about this defect but will not offer any assistance to customers who own residential Crown victorias. The design flaw (fatigue crack in composite intake manifold coolant crossover passage) affects vehicles with the 4.6 liter engines assembled between 8/8/95 and 11/22/97 at the st. Thomas plant. The crack causes a rapid loss of coolant directly behind the alternator and can result in severe engine damage due to overheating. I was able to pull over after the engine started to overheat. The tow truck took it to the Ford dealer where a redesigned manifold was installed at my cost.
I recently spent over $1,000 having the engine check light fixed along with other repairs. I took the car back to super lowe Ford several times after I purchased it because the light stayed on. Super lowe said it was "gas cap is loose" and "it's a short, we can disconnet it if you want us to" etc. It would be off for a few days, then right back on. I was also informed that it really doesn't mean anything, just don't drive in california. Why does the light stay on?
Problems with police crusiers and rear end collision explosions. The consumer was concerned her vehicle being the same as the police vehicle's. The vehicle was made at the same plant as the police cruisers). The consumer had the repair done to her vehicle but wondered why Ford covered the police vehicle's even though they had higher mileage. The consumer requested to be treated fairly and equally.
Email fm ellen row (nc) inquiring about the safety of her 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, wants to know why recall was only for the police cars. The consumers vehicle was identical to the police vehicles being recalled for fuel tank problems. The consumer paid to have the repairs made but cannot understand why her vehicle was not covered under the recall.
Intake manifold developed a crack and I lost all of the coolant @ 65 MPH, causing the vehicle to overheat. Ford has issued a recall for fleet vehicles (taxis, police, limos) but does not cover the same part (same part #) on civilian vehicles. The replacement part is the same poorly designed unit, which over time, will most likely fail again.
Related recalls
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install an insulator behind the current seat back. Owner notification began on January 7, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA investigations
Post rear end collision fires
There is no summary currently available
Cng tank exploding in a fire
An explosion of a compressed natural gas (cng) tank should not be able to occur, as the tank is fitted with a pressure relief device (prd). This prd should release the cng in the tank, prior to the pressure reaching the tank burst pressure.the prd did not release in the subject wisconsin police cruiser explosion.NHTSA has recovered the prd valve from the tank that exploded and testing will be necessary to establish…
Cng tank explosion
In September 2002, a fuel cylinder in a natural gas powered vehicle (ngv) exploded during a fire.Ford and vrtc test engineers jointly examined the incident vehicle and reviewed testing to determine whether the performance of the pressure relief valve (prd) was proper.the purpose of a prd is to protect a compressed natural gas tank from overpressure by allowing the cng to vent when the temperature reaches a specific…
Fuel System complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 10% of the model year's 288 complaints. The component named most often is carburetor system (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Crown Victoria fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-472 (tank assembly, Nov 6, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Crown Victoria fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.