Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 8% | 195,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 27% | 35,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% | 179,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% | 69,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% | 69,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% | 67,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 14% | — |
| 2001 | 7 | 13% | 120,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 14% | 15,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 15% | 75,000 miles |
| 1998 | 17 | 14% | 36,000 miles |
| 1997 | 29 | 10% | 111,000 miles |
| 1996 | 46 | 17% | 108,000 miles |
| 1995 | 14 | 6% | 97,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel tank straps had fractured, causing the fuel tank to become detach and drag on the ground. The fuel tank was temporarily reattached, and the vehicle was driven home. The contact later discovered that fuel had leaked from the fuel tank. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.
Ford Crown Victoria fuel pump failures.erratic fuel pump operation and subsequent failure resulting in loss of power and vehicle stopping in roadway. 17 sheriff's deputy patrol cars have had sudden fuel pump failures since 6/1/2010. All 17 fuel pumps have had to be replaced. Ford replace 4 in warranty. In the past 3 years we have had to replace approximately 100 fuel pumps in Crown Victoria police cars. Ford always blames the fuel when the car is out of warranty but replaces the pumps when in warranty. Ethanol in fuel is the root of the problem. Ford should design a pump that can pump ethanol and last at least 100,000 miles. As with any sudden loss of power in the roadway there is the risk of a and accident due to sudden increase steering effort required, sudden deceleration without brake light activation. This is definitely a safety hazard.
This is the fourth event of increasing engine RPM when depressing brake to stop at a stop sign. As in two other events, no traffic was approaching so I had immediately went from a stop (noting increasing engine RPM) to removing foot from brake pedal to go to gas pedal to proceed on past stop resulting in the increasing engine RPM being a non-event in terms of engine racing out of control. Not so with a third event in which I stopped at an automatic gate and had to stay stopped with engine RPM again increasing and continuously to increase to the point that I had to lock down on brake to keep from being pulled into the gate and was able to completely stop by cutting off the ignition. This third racing out of control was reported by confirmation number (odi) 10355856. …
Ford Crown vic police interceptor,2007: on two previous occasions, upon depressing brake pedal at stop sign, engine would seem to begin to race; however, after stop I would immediately let off brake to go on through stop sign and engine was normal on acceleration. To-day as I left my parking space I approached an automatic gate to pass through and depressed brake pedal to wait for gate to open and engine began to race to the point that I was unable to hold vehicle back and turned off ignition to avoid hitting gate. A large amount of black smoke resulted from racing engine. After engine shut-down, I shifted to park, started engine and had normal idle. I depressed brake to shift into drive and proceeded through gate in normal manner. …
Austintown police officer was operating a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle when the vehicle was struck from behind, causing the vehicle to explode into flames. Preliminary indications are the police vehicle was moving at the time of impact and the second vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. Officer involved received severe burns over 40% of his body.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the fuel tank and fuel lines were rusted and leaking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank, fuel lines, and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,178.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria. While examining the vehicle the contact noticed that the filler tube for the fuel tank was leaking. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership and there were no prior warnings. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were 66000.
I replaced the fuel pump, it worked for two weeks, failed replace the fuel pump worked for two more weeks then it failed, took it to for they replaced the fuel module and fuel pump, two weeks later same problem failed fuel pump. For Ford has no idea.
Related recalls (3)
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.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly
On certain natural gas model vehicles, a t-fitting that connects fuel tanks #3 and #4 can develop a leak when the solenoid valves are energized, such as when the ignition switch is in the on position or during refueling.
Remedy: Dealers will install a redesigned "t" fitting on #4 fuel tank and tested for leakage. Owner notification began September 13, 2002.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
The seal material between the fuel filler pipe and fuel tank May not have been fully cured during the molding process which could allow for fuel leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filler pipe-to-fuel tank seal with a new seal of different material.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Crown Victoria years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (46), 1997 (29), 1999 (20), 1998 (17) and 1995 (14) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Ford Crown Victoria fuel system problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 03V-472 (tank assembly, Nov 6, 2003); 02V-249 (tank assembly, Sep 6, 2002); 95V-063 (filler pipe and cap, Mar 27, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Crown Victoria fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the carburetor system (52 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly (44).
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.