1997 Ford Crown Victoria complaints

97 FORD CROWN VICTORIA PLASTIC HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FOGGED OVER AND BECAME USELESS AND DANGEROUS..TRIED VARIOUS CLEANING AGENTS TO NO AVAIL..HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES.. *JB

THE MANIFOLD CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATED,BLEW HEATER CORE HAD TO TOW CAR MILES FOR REPLACEMENT. PARTS INCLUDED MANIFOLD,GASKETS, HEATER CORE AND HOSES. THIS AT 84000 MILES AND NO WARRANTY. *JB

METAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND LEAKING TO LOSS OF BRAKE LINES TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ON FRONT WHEEL OF 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF THE VEHICLE BEING UN-DRIVABLE AND A DANGER. FORD HAS SAID THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER MOISTURE TUBE THAT DUMPS ON THE IRON FRAME. THEY HAD AT ONE TIME OFFERED TO REPAIR SOME DEFECTS BUT WILL NOT ANY MORE. *JB

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. *JB

1997 CROWN VICTORIA TECHNICAL BULLETIN 05N04 NHTSA 10018959 DATE OF BULLETIN: DEC, 14, 2005 /INCIDENT JUNE 12, 2006 THIS SETTLEMENT EXTENDED THE COVERAGE OF ALL COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD 7 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY....WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE 1997 OWNERS? THE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED A YEAR AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ENDED!? ONE YEAR LATE FOR 1997 OWNERS. WHAT SHOULD WE DO BECAUSE IT IS PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY? A DEFECT IS A DEFECT WITH OR WITHOUT A TIME LIMIT. WE DID NOT CHOOSE TO HAVE IT BREAK WHEN IT DID....THE DEFECTIVE PART DID THAT FOR US! WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET THIS PART/SERVICE COVERED? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! *JB

THE CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT WAS WON REGARDING 1997 FORD CROWN VIC (AND OTHER MAKES) DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD PART WAS HANDLED INCORRECTLY. MINE JUST WENT AND IS WELL PAST THE MARCH 16TH, 2006 DEADLINE AND OVER 7 YEARS OLD WHICH MAKES RECOURSE EXEMPT. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP GETTING A $1300 + ENGINE REPAIR. AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. DEFINITELY NOT FAIR!!! *JB

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 - *NM

I WAS REFERRED BY MR. MICHAEL J. SACKS AT [email protected] HIS RESPONSE: IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING THE RUN AROUND AND I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU CONTACT NHTSA IN WASHINGTON DC IF THE COMPANY IS NOT WILLING TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH RECALLS. WEBSITE IS WWW.NHTSA.GOV PROBLEM DETAILS: RECENTLY I RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE FOR WORK FOR $899.14 TO FIX A CRACKED MANIFOLD ALONG WITH GASKETS, AND SEALS ON MY 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, THAT I PURCHASED FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP IN BALTIMORE, MD IN 2003. THIS PIECE WAS ORIGINALLY RECALLED BY FORD COMPANY, BUT NEVER REPLACED BY IT'S ORIGINAL OWNER, NOR THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM. WHEN THIS BREAKDOWN OCCURRED I CONTACTED THE COMPANY WHERE I PURCHASED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005. THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT COVER ITEMS THAT WERE RECALLED. I WAS THEN DIRECTED BY THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO CALL FORD COMPANY DIRECTLY, I FOLLOWED UP AND MADE THE CALL TO FIND THAT THE MANIFOLD THAT WAS RECALLED HAD A SEVEN YEAR WARRANTY FROM FORD COMPANY THAT HAD EXPIRED. I AM NOW STUCK WITH AN $899.14 BILL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT UNTIL IT OCCURRED. I FEEL THAT BEFORE SELLING ME THE VEHICLE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND TAKEN CARE OF BY THE DEALERSHIP BRUNS MOTORS. I AM YET TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS. PLEASE ADVISE ME IN ANYWAY THAT YOU CAN, YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. IF I AM NOT ABLE TO ANSWER THE PHONE PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEAT HAND STARTED TO RISE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS WATER LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS BROKEN. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH SLOWING TO A STOP, STEAM WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND HOSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND THE CONTROL ARM DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.

I BOUGHT A USED 1997 CROWN VIC IN 2005 AND I NOTICED COOLANT LEAKAGE ON JAN 16, 2005. THE LEAKAGE MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT IT WAS NOT OBVIOUS ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V322000 CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FLASHING HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR OCCURRENCES OR WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE CONNECTED TO A LARGE CONTROL MODULE INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE FUSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. *AK (11/17/05) THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SIGNAL LEVER AND PRESS ON THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH TO GET THEM TO WORK, BUT THE BRIGHT LIGHTS HAD TO BE HELD IN POSITION. *SC

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. ON 6-12-05 THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE I40 WHEN HE SMELLED AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE HIGHWAY PATROL WHICH ARRANGED TO HAVE HIM TOWED TO BARSTOW. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN BECAUSE THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL THE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. WHEN THE MECHANIC FROM CASTNERS AUTO SERVICE 214 SOUTH BRADFORD AVENUE, PLACENTIA, CA 92870 TELEPHONE # 714-528-1311 WAS REMOVING THE SPARK PLUGS HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ALUMINUM FLAKING ON THEM. THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION. HE REPLACED THE ENGINE AND ALL THE PARTS THAT WENT WITH IT ON 6-15-05 THROUGH 6-30-05. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT IT WOULD COST MORE TO REPAIR THE ENGINE THAN TO BUY A NEW ONE. THE REPLACED ENGINE WAS FORD MANUFACTURED. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AS OF NOW. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN OCTOBER 1996. *AK *NM

I OWN A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA AND WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY THE CAR OVERHEATED AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF THE ROAD. AFTER TOWING TO MECHANIC HE IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A VERY COMMON ONE. THAT BEING THE PLASTIC ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF A FULLY COVERED WARRANTY/RECALL ITEM IF YOUR VEHICLE WAS A POLICE OR FLEET VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT COVERED TO THE PRIVATE CAR OWNER DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. WHO WOULD THINK SUCH A IMPORTANT COMPONENT MAKE OF PLASTIC WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO ANY CAR OWNER. *NM

PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT LOSS AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. REPAIR BILL WAS $721.55. REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD IS A RE-DESIGNED, TWO COMPONENT PALSTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD/METAL CROSS-OVER COOLANT TUBE. CONTACTED FORD FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT FORD REFUSED. WROTE NUMEROUS LETTERS AND EMAILS TO FORD BUT FORD REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY ENGINEERING. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS SORRY EXCUSE OF "FORD QUALITY". WHAT A JOKE.

1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA W/61,705 MILES WAS MAKING A STRANGE SOUND. THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKES, I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE CENTER. WHILE THEY WERE TESTING IT SMOKE STARTED POURED OUT OF THE HOOD. THE RESULT INDICATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC' MANIFOLD WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED W/A FORD PART THAT WAS A METAL PART. I UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A RECALL THAT ONLY INCLUDED POLICE OR FLEET CARS. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME RECOURSE TOWARD THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THIS CAR HAD ONLY 61,705 MILES ON IT. WHO WOULD THINK A PLASTIC MANIFOLD WOULD HOLD UP AT ALL? NOT ME CERTAINLY. *AK

CAR WAS RUNNING NORMALLY WHEN I GRADUALLY STARTED TO SMELL COOLANT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LOOKED AND SAW COOLANT LEAKING FROM AROUND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. I WENT AND REPLACED THE GASKET FOR THE THERMOSTAT AND ADDED SILICONE. THE COOLANT THAN STARTED TO LEAK EVEN WORSE. I LOOKED AT THE MANIFOLD AND IT APPEARED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK ON THE HOUSING. I FOUND OUT THAT VIA THE INTERNET AND A PUBLIC WORKS TECH THAT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLDS WERE DEFECTIVE. I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS OUT OF THEIR 7 YEAR WARRANTY. THEY SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. A KIT COSTS AROUND $589 AND CHEVRON QUOTED PARTS AND LABOR AT $1,050.*AK

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OF PLASTIC. IT SPLITS AT THE CASING SEAMS, WHICH CAUSES ANTI-FREEZE TO SHOOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE.*AK

I OWN A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A MINI MALL WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF MY VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED. HAD THIS HAPPENED 10 MINUTES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE DOING 65 MPH. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS AS WELL AND AS SUCH I THINK THAT YOUR AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE. IN ADDITION, A PREVIOUS LETTER TO THIS DEFECT WAS SUBMITTED, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPLY. *JB

THE FOLLOWING IS A WELL KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED DESIGN CROWN VICTORIA 4.6 ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH FORD HAS IGNORED AND CLAIMED IT IS "INVESTIGATING" FOR THE ORDINARY CONSUMER, WHILE PROVIDING EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR POLICE CARS AND TAXIS. OBVIOUSLY, THEY DON'T WANT TO LOSE THIS FLEET MARKET. THERE HAVE EVEN BEEN NEWS STORIES ON THIS VIA NBC. THE FAILURE RELATES TO A PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKING PREMATURELY, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT FLUIDS, EXTREME CONSEQUENT ENGINE OVERHEATING, AND RESULTANT CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THEY SELL THE REPLACEMENT AND RE-ENGINEERED PART FOR NEARLY 600 DOLLARS AND CHARGE ALMOST 500 DOLLARS ADDITIONAL TO INSTALL IT. THIS IS A NON-MOVING PART WHICH SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL USE! THERE IS EVEN AN ENTIRE AFTERMARKET BUSINESS MAKING THESE PARTS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR LESS MONEY...ALTHOUGH I SUSPECT MOST FOLKS JUST PAY FORD TO DO THE REPAIR. QUERIES TO DEALERS MEET WITH A REITERATION OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION AND A KIND "SORRY, IT'S NOT COVERED" REPLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CASE OF FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION OF FITNESS, AS OPPOSED TO THE NORMAL RISKS OF WEAR AND TEAR...THEIR POLICY REGARDING LUCRATIVE FLEET EXTENDED REPAIRS SPEAKS TO THIS, IN MY OPINION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DEFECT DUE TO ENGINE STALLING AND POWER ASSIST LOSS.*AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BEGAN TO FILL WITH A WHITE SMOKE AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND LET THE CAR COOL OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP TO THE COST OF $1100 FOR A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF AND WOULD ONLY PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF MY CAR WAS A TAXI CAB OR A POLICE CAR!!!!! *NM

SOLE OWNER 1997 FORD CROWN VIC LX; INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED - APRIL 16, 2003; TSB REPORT ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY; COST INCURRED - $1170.00. *NM

INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED CAUSING PLUG SOCKETS TO FILL WITH WATER CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *NM

CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD DISCOVERED WHEN CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED THINKING IT WAS A BAD SEAL, ONLY TO DISCOVER THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. NEW MANIFOLD IS ON ORDER $285 DOLLARS, STILL WAITING ON THE REPAIR BILL. *JB

THE HORN / CRUISE CONTROL / AND HAZARD LIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED YET. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLDS DEVELOPED FATIGUE CRACKS, RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE. COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT RESULTED IN ENGINE FAILURE, OWNER WAS LUCKY TO BE ON LOCAL STREET AND NEAR TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP, SPENT $1100 ON REPAIR. *JB

THE HOOD COVER CAME LOOSE WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WAS CAUGHT BY A LATCH AT THE HORIZONTAL POSITION. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT END COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

RE; SERVICE BULLETIN #97 FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT FOR 97 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. *BF *SC

I WAS HEADING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE WHEN I GOT THREE TO FOUR MILES OF MY HOME WHEN I NOTICED FROM MY REARVIEW MIRROR, THAT THERE WAS A HEAVY MIST BILLOWING FROM BEHIND MY CAR. THEN I BEGAN TO SMELL THE COOLANT FLUID SOON AFTER. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO THE NEXT CLOSEST GROCERY TO INVESTIGATE. HEAVY STEM FROM THE COOLANT BILLOWED UP FROM THE MIDDLE OF MY ENGINE WHICH SOAKED WIRES AND OTHER ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS. I LET IT COOL DOWN FOR SOME TIME BEFORE I COULD ADD MORE WATER AND SET FOR HOME WHICH WAS ONLY LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. THE NEXT DAY I GOT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC SO HE COULD INVESTIGATE TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. IT WAS THE INTAKE MANUFOLD WHICH WAS MADE OF ALL THINGS...PLASTIC!!! THE MECHANIC CONTACTED AND PICKED UP THE REPLACEMENT THAT WAS MADE OF METAL. HE HAD DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS TOLD THAT FORD CO. NEVER SENT OUT RECALL NOTICES TO CROWN VICTORIA OWNERS ABOUT THE MAIFOLDS CRACKING. I HAD TO PAY OVER $500 FOR THE PART. ALONG WITH PARTS AND LABOR COSTS ADDING UP TO OVER $800. I AM APSOLUTELY BUGGERED TO PUT IT NICELY THAT THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING!!! KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PART! THEY JUST LOST A STEADY FORD CUSTOMER NOT JUST BECAUSE OF MY PLIGHT, BUT BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE WERE LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM! AND YES! I HAVE THE OLD MANIFOLD AND PHOTOS! *AK

YOUR AGENCY HAS CONTACTED ME TWICE, CONCERNING A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. I HAVE LOCATED THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE THAT YOU INQUIRED ABOUT, THE PIECE THAT WAS CUT OUT FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS NUMBER MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH MY COMPLIANT EA03012. I JUST CAN NOT REMEMBER THE GENTLEMANS NAME THAT FIRST CALLED ME. LATER AN ATTORNEY CALLED REPRESENTING HERSELF AS BEING WITH YOUR AGENCY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AGAIN.*AK

ON 10-24-04 OUR VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AS DESCRIPED ON YOUR WEBSITE. FORD REFUSES TO COVER. MAKE: FORD MODEL: CROWN VICTORIA TYPE: ANY YEAR: 1997 RECALL NUMBER: 98I001000 SUMMARY: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR OWNERS OF CERTAIN 1995-1997 CROWN VICTORIA MODEL VEHICLES WITH POLICE, TAXI, AND COMMERCIAL FLEET PACKAGES AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES WITH THE LIVERY PACKAGE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD CAUSE WEAR OF THE BRAKE LINES. CONSEQUENCE: THIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LOSS FOR THE REAR BRAKES AND, POTENTIALLY, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES FOR WEAR, INSTALL TWO NEW TUBE BUNDLE CLIPS, AND CHECK THE BRAKE LINES FOR PROPER CLEARANCES. IF THE BRAKE LINES ARE WORN, THE DAMAGED SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED. NOTES: NOTE: FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. HTTP://WWW-SA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RESULTS.CFM. *AK

WHILE PARKED A FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER STATED THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK THE ITEMS UNDER THE HOOD WERE REPLACED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *NM

THE REAR SEAT BELT DIDN'T WORK. WHEN THE BELT WAS PULLED OUT IT ONLY CAME OUT PART OF THE WAY. *AK BOTH REAR SHOULDER BELT SUFFERED THE SAME CONDITION. *SC

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT VERY QUICKLY, WITHIN 2 MINUTES. THE TEMPERATURE GOT SO HOT SMOKE POURED OUT, AND THE CAR STALED. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES IT COOLED DOWN ENOUGH TO GET IT HOME, AND THEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP. SMOKE WAS EVERYWHERE. THE REPAIR PERSON SIGHTED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY WAS RESPONSIBLE, AND THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF SUCH PROBLEMS IN CROWN VICTORIA'S OF THE SAME YEAR 1997. THE REPAIR WAS $989.54, AND THE MILAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERABLY LOW FOR THE YEAR. IT ONLY HAS 69, 500 MILES. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS THE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD.*AK

HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE GRADUALLY TURNING YELLOW, CAUSING REDUCED VISIBILITY AT NIGHT.

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING FAILED, AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK

CATASTOPHIC COOLING FAILURE. INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED FOR $900. MECHANIC NOTED THAT THIS WAS COMMON ON FORD CROWN VICS WITH DEFECTIVE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS (THEY NOW USE METAL). UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN CROWN VIC TAXIS AND POLICE CARS, BUT NOT IN OTHER CROWN VICS. WHY NOT? WON'T BUY A FORD AGAIN. FORD OWES ME FOR THE COST OF THE FAILURE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART.*AK

CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DESCENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WORE OUT, CAUSING MASTER CYLINDER TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID.*AK

(1) WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODED AND IT GOT SO HOT AND LOST ALL OF THE FLUIDS IN THE CAR. (2). WE HAD TO GET IT OFF THE FREEWAY AND HAVE IT TOWED INTO MCCOY MILLS FORD. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IT CRACKED AND THE CAR WAS BURNING HOT. IT COULD HAVE VERY EASILY CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. DEFECT IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT WAS REPLACED , TOTAL EXPENSE - $1028.54. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT FREE, BUT I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE TO REFUND ME FOR FIXING IT, SINCE IT WAS A DEFECT AND MADE FROM PLASTIC. I DIDN'T THINK TO ASK FOR OLD PARTS. THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME IT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND THAT THEY WERE USING METAL NOW. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT A LOT OF THE POLICE CARS, THE CROWN VICTORIA'S, HAVE DONE THE VERY SAME THING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN STARTED AGAINST FORD, IF SO, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE'S 1997 FORD CROWN VIC AT APPROX 55 MPH THE HOOD FLEW OPEN. THE LATCH SEPARATED FROM THE HOOD. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE CAR AND OUR NERVES. I WILL HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP THIS WEEK. *AK

WE WERE TRAVELING ON I-15 IN A REMOTE AREA OF UTAH. WHEN OUR CAR'S INTAKE MANIFOLD RUPTURED BUT DIDN'T KNOW IT AT THE TIME AND LOST ALL OF THE COOLANT -STRANDING US. THE FAILURE OF THE MANIFOLD LED US TO BE TOWED TO BEAVER AND THEN FROM BEAVER TO ST. GEORGE UTAH. WE LEARNED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE 4.6 LITER AND IT HAPPEN QUITE FREQUENTLY. THEY WERE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS. WE LEFT THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AT THE ST. GEORGE FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO RENT ANOTHER CAR. ST GEORGE FORD TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PUT ON A NEW MANIFOLD WHICH WAS NOT ALL PLASTIC, BUT THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME OFF SET THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. ST. GEORGE FORD SAID BECAUSE I HAD MORE THEN 75,000 MILES ON THE CAR, THAT THEY WOULDN'T HELP WITH THE EXPENSE OF THE $1093.00 REPAIR PLUS $ 347.00 TOWING FEE. I THINK A PART THAT IS THIS DEFECTIVE SHOULD BE A VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT BY THE FORD COMPANY FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS IS AN ALL PLASTIC PART THEY KNEW IT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY HAVE RETOOLED AND MADE A CAST METAL REPLACEMENT. I THINK THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND IT ALSO LEAVES YOU STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY OR BACK COUNTRY WHERE WE LIVE. FORD ALSO TOLD ME THEY WERE REPLACING THE MANIFOLD ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS ON POLICE CARS AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE 4.6 LITER ENGINE FOR UNLIMITED MILEAGE. *AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AFTERWARDS, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WORE OUT, CAUSING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID. *AK RECALL#98I001000. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BOTH BRAKE LINES OF THE REAR WHEELS WERE REPLACED, ONE WAS WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THE OTHER WAS WORN BUT NOT COMPLETELY THROUGH. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING STEAM CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ HOT. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND ANTI FREEZE LEAKED OUT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH A NEW REDESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK