Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and notice flames underneath the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
My intake manifold for my thermostat is completely broken when I looked up online to see how much the part would cost me to have fixed it said there was a recall on the part because in between the years 1997-2006 Ford used generic plastic to make the part I just purchased the car off a guy like 6 months ago so if there were any recalls on the vehicle I had no idea till it broke on me and I looked it up I called a few Ford dealerships and also the main Ford headquarters in detroit and everyone's giving me the run around and telling me there were never any recalls on my car and that I have to pay to have it fixed meanwhile its there fault for putting the wrong part in the car in the first place I need your help getting these people to fix my car please contact me at [redacted] or if I can't be reached on that number [redacted] thank you.
Small crack in intake manifold and detached hose fitting on the top of intake manifold. Car overheated. Contacted Ford on March 21, 2003. Just entered my complaint in system. I discovered there was a recall (01m02) concerning intake manifolds Ford Crown Victoria', but Ford states that my year model does not fall under the recall, despite being manufactured in the same plant st. Thomas. I had vehicle VIN# [redacted] repaired at greene Ford co. On March 27 , 2003 after the suggestion of greene Ford co. On March 20, 2003 to use expoxy sealant on the hose fitting, but that was unsuccessful. Subsequently I then took the vehicle to be repaired and have the intake manifold replaced. Total bill was $741.98 including tax.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle overheated without warning. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 04/05/17 the consumer stated car overheating due to intake manifold, had to replace intake manifold. VIN failure updated 7/3/18
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicle was taken to the dealer because the contact was informed of a safety recall. The dealer stated that the intake manifold failed. All of the engine coolant leaked from the reservoir. The copper tubing connected to the intake that went to the reservoir failed and caused the vehicle to begin steaming. The purchase date, powertrain, and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 60,078 and failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 03-25-08 updated 03/25/08
Intake manifold thermostat housing ( of composite material) on a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria lx engine, cracked causing coolant to leak, and subsequently the engine to overheat. Car was brought to dealership for repair at a cost of $1055.18. Ford provided a recall to repair this defect to "commercial" users (police, taxis etc.), however Ford did not extend this coverage to individual owners of cars beyond the 1997 model year Ford Crown Victoria lx.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact took the vehicle for inspection and was advised by the independent mechanic that the intake manifold gasket was leaking antifreeze. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 114,000.
I own a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria with a v-8 (4.6 ) that has a plastic intake manifold which is cracked and leaking coolant . It is unrepairable and must be replaced . This plastic should have never been used and intake manifolds are not supposed to fail like this and they should all be recalled .
The intake manifold cracked. The consumer was concerned that the vehicle will catch on fire. The spark plugs and wires were replaced. The vehicle continued to run rough. As the vehicle was warmed, the dealer noticed that the intake manifold was leaking gasoline/oxygen fumes.
The intake manifold cracked. The engine was warmed up, and hot antifreeze dispensed from the intake and burned the tow truck driver. The vehicle overheated again when the consumer had taken the advise of the dealer in reference to the hose fitting. Scc
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Engine complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, 25% of the model year's 119 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Crown Victoria engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, though it has 7 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 1998 Ford Crown Victoria engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.