Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 4% | 20,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% | 7,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% | 110,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 8% | 105,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% | 88,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 12% | 121,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 11% | — |
| 2000 | 6 | 7% | — |
| 1999 | 15 | 11% | 22,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 1997 | 57 | 20% | 75,000 miles |
| 1996 | 31 | 11% | 74,000 miles |
| 1995 | 33 | 13% | 98,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. While attempting to depress the brake pedal at speeds less than 50 MPH, the vehicle would accelerate instead of attempting to stop. The dealer could not find any failures and the issue recurred several times afterwards. While driving 72 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 90 MPH until the cruise control was disengaged. The manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to the dealer for installation of a monitoring system; however, the dealer still could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer also stated that he was depressing both the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously, which May have caused the failure. The contact stated that was impossible because the pedals were inches away from each other. The failure mileage was 11,000 and current mileage was 15,460. …
Unmarked police Crown Victoria sedan traveling in left lane of 4-lane, grass median-separated highway with posted speed limit 55 MPH. Police officer driver deceased in crash. Witnesses report: after entering highway, vehicle accelerated to high rate of speed; in vicinity police median turnaround, police strobe lights went on; vehicle started wobbling and moving gradually to left in straight path. Event data recorder indicated brakes applied and vehicle slowed before colliding with concrete bridge underpass abutment. Small grass fire extinguished around front-end of vehicle. Cursory vehicle examination on 09/15/11 reports: airbag deployed, seat belt locked up due to impact, unable to check brake pedal, unable to check front brakes, and bad steering (no further details on condition steering parts).
I drive a Ford "program car" - a used 2007 Crown Victoria (a former rental vehicle). On the day of my accident - after pulling onto a busy street from a parking lot - I almost immediately applied my brakes because I was coming up to a red light where several cars had already come to a stop ahead of me. At first my car slowed normally but, as I applied the brakes to come to a complete stop, the engine began to rev' up. I tried tapping the brake to see if this would help to disengage the throttle's revving. It didn't help. I kept trying this. I had little time to come to a stop before hitting the car in front of me so I really "stood" on the brakes. Unfortunately, I hit the back bumper of the car in front of me. Luckily, there was no visible damage to either car and no one was hurt. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at approximately 30 MPH, the brake and the ABS lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to experience an increased stopping distance after the lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop, who performed a diagnostic test that was unable to locate a failure code. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 90,700.
The car dealership didn't tell us that this car have no air bag and also nothing was checking or change on the car. We paid for the car at 2700 and the electric and the radiator are bad and also the ac unit is bad they don't have no anti-theft system and much more we just don't have the money to fix it no more you already put 5,000 plus $2,700
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle hesitated to stop. After the vehicle came to a stop, and while contact slightly removed their foot from the brake pedal. The vehicle then accelerated and crashed into the preceding vehicle. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The contact mentioned that the failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 104,940. The current mileage was 106,000.
I bought Ford Victoria Crown model 2005 from an individual on dec. 2009. It was police car. After I bought the car within a months time I hit another vehicle. I lost control and the brake didn't work. It didn't stop by hitting once, it was amazing hitting back again and again. My car or even the other car didn't have any body damage and after 1 hour I started driving and on my way home the same thing happened. I got out of the road but no accident. I took the car to the garage and I paid $800.00 for the maintenance. I used the car for a taxi cab. Again I have another problem with this car. I had to take a customer to the airport and before I got there, smoke was coming out and I stopped the car in the airport garage. This time it became completely out of service and I had the vehicle towed to the garage. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The contact mentioned that the brakes failed to engage. In order to stop the vehicle, the ignition key had to be turned to the off position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not inspected or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 88,000.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with antilock brake systems (ABS) fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." the front and rear right side brake lines May be reversed at the ABS hydraulic control unit.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake line connections and the hydraulic control unit and reposition them free of charge. The recallbegan on April 27, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles built with electronic traction control, the rear brake line May chafe due to contact between it and a floor pan stiffening rib, and a brake fluid leak May occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the subject vehicles for contact between the brake tube and floor pan stiffening rib. If contact is evident, but no abrasion or leaks exist, the brake tube will be repositioned to preclude further…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Crown Victoria years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (57), 1995 (33), 1996 (31), 1999 (15) and 2003 (8) model years. Brake complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Ford Crown Victoria brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 07V-183 (control unit/module, Apr 26, 2007); 05V-086 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 14, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Crown Victoria brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (61 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (32).
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.