2002 Ford Crown Victoria

Defect. Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

Risk. If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk. FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

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.

Defect. IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Risk. SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.

Remedy. FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A GAS LEAK OF SUFFICIENT QUANTITY CONCENTRATED IN AN AREA TO CREATE A COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED "T" FITTING ON #4 FUEL TANK AND TESTED FOR LEAKAGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

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Driving down the roadway at 55 mph a spark plug in cylinder 2 blow out. The car started making a popping noise and started to lose power. After a while the car shut off. The car was able to restart and be driven home. Upon inspection by a mechanic they found the spark plug had came dislodged and shot out of the cylinder and caused damage to the cylinder head the ignition coil and fuel rail. A new Heli coil was installed. A year later while in Texas driving down the road around 35 mph car made a pop noise and shot a spark plug out of cylinder 5 cause the car to lose power and start smoking with a heavy smell of fuel. Car was stopped and inspected. Found a spark plug was blown out of cylinder 5 with damage to the ignition cylinder and fuel rail. repaired the heli coil and placed with new spark plug ignition coil and fuel rail. 2019 while driving down road at 75 mph vehicle makes a loud pop and starts to lose power. Upon inspection by mechanic find spark plug blown out of cylinder 1 with damaged ignition coil. Having mechanic is now replacing both cylinder heads on the engine.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK, EXCEPT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND THE DASHBOARD WAS BLACKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ ** UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V861000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 197,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,218.

I HAD DRIVEN UP A STEEP MOUNTAIN DIRT ROAD TO SERVE SOME LEGAL PAPERS, AFTER REACHING THE TOP, I CONTINUED DOWN THE OTHER SIDE TO THE ADDRESS I WAS LOOKING FOR. I THOUGHT I STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING, IT SMELLED ELECTRICAL. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE ADDRESS, I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF WHILE I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE RESIDENT. MY WIFE YELLED AT ME THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, IT STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE FAST, MY WIFE AND DOGS WERE STILL IN THE CAR. I OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR TO POP THE HOOD WHILE MY WIFE STARTED GETTING THE DOGS OUT, I THEN NOTICED IT WAS MY FLOOR THAT WAS BURNING, JUST ABOUT UNDER THE GAS PEDDLE, A HOLE HAD BURNED THROUGH AND THE METAL WAS GLOWING RED WHERE THE PADDING HAD BURNED AWAY. I POURED A CUP OF COFFEE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WHILE THE RESIDENT GOT SOME WATER FOR ME. THE PADDING AND RUBBER MAT HAD BURNED AWAY AND A HOLE ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG HAD MELTED AWAY FROM THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS DIRECTLY BENEATH THE HOLE BUT THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY HOLES IN THE CONVERTER AND THERE IS A EMPTY SPACE ABOUT 1.5 - 2 INCHES FROM THE MELTED HOLE TO THE CONVERTER. WE LET EVERYTHING COOL DOWN BEFORE DRIVING HOME, HOWEVER THE ENTIRE WAY HOME, (49 MILES) WE WERE AFRAID THE CAR WAS GOING TO BURST INTO FLAMES. ONCE WE WERE BACK ON THE PAVED ROADS AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THE NORMAL SPEED LIMIT, THERE WERE NO MORE ISSUES NOR ANY FURTHER BURNING, JUST THE LINGERING SMELL. I LOOKED UP AND FOUND A RECALL FOR AN ISSUE IN THE SAME LOCATION HOWEVER THAT

TL** THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V227001 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A FELLOW FRIEND HE ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR HAS HAD A ISSUE WITH THE STEERING WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY TO IT AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I DRIVE OVER 50MPH IM SCARED I MAY CRASH CAUSE THE CAR MOVES LEFT TO RIGHT, AND THE ABS BRAKES HAVE A PROBLEM THE BRAKE JUMP WHEN I HIT THEM IDK WHAT TO DO IM LOW ON FUNDS AND I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT THESE CARS ARE KNOWN FOR STEERING AND BRAKES DEFECTS..... *TR

POWER STEERING STARTED CATCHING AND COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SMOOTHLY. HIT A CURB WITH MY TIRE AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. STILL JAMMING BUT I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE IT INTO A DEALERSHIP. HELP! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND THE WHEEL BECAME TIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE. THE CONTACT RE-SECURED THE SEAT BELT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PURCHASE A SEAT BELT EXTENSION IN ORDER TO KEEP THE SEAT BELT BUCKLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE SAFETY WARRANTY AND HE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40800.

POWER WINDOWS FRONT ELECTRIC WHEN YOU TOUCH REAR WINDOW BUTTON THE DRIVERS WINDOW GOES DOWN. *TR

THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVER (MY RETIRED MOTHER, AGE 72) HAD TO GET CAR OFF ROAD AND RESTART CAR TO CONTINUE. THE POWER STEERING DISABLED WHEN THE CAR ENGINE STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES (2-3) OVER THE PAST MONTH, AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND IS UNABLE TO CORRECT IT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE AND THE CAR SLOWED CONSIDERABLY, BUT THEN PICKED BACK UP AGAIN. THE "ENGINE HEAT/THERMOMETER" LIGHT HAS FLASHED ALSO, BUT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE HEAT IS NORMAL. I CONSIDER THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MY MOTOR IF IT WOULD HAPPEN IN A HEAVILY CONGESTED, HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASHES. IT IS A VERY STRESSFUL SITUATION.

I HAD BEEN DRIVING 250 MILES OR SO AND DROVE DOWN A LONG WINDING INCLINE, AS THE ROAD FLATTENED OUT I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A HOLE IN THE FIRST PART OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A SLIGHT ODOR OF NATURAL GAS AS THIS VEHICLE IS FUELED WITH NATURAL GAS. AFTER THE ODOR PASSED, I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE #2 IGNITION COIL MOUNT WAS BROKEN, AND THE COIL AND SPARK PLUG ASSEMBLY WERE LOOSE IN THE SPARK PLUG WELL. MY INITIAL THOUGHT WAS THE SPARK PLUG HAD LOOSENED AND EJECTED. I ATTEMPTED TO RE-INSTALL THE SPARK PLUG BUT THE THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD WERE INEFFECTIVE. THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON DEFECT FOR THESE FORD ENGINES. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REAMING AND TAPPING THE SPARK PLUG HOLE AND PLACING AN INSERT IN THE HOLE. THE SPARK PLUG COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED TOO. THE REPAIR COST WAS $450 AND THE REPAIR SHOP WARNED THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. IF I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN A SAFE PLACE FAIRLY QUICKLY, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE FUEL AIR MIXTURE ACCUMULATION UNDER THE HOOD AND SINCE THE SPARK PLUG WAS STILL OPERATIVE, AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT TOO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE "ABS" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT AXLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION;REAR) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

1. WHILE DRIVING ,LED CIRCUITBOARD ,( UNDER DASHBOARD)BURNED UP EMITTING SMOKE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT BURNED A ONE INCH HOLE IN THE CIRCUITBOARD PLASTIC COVER . 2. FAILURE,THE PART BURNED UP, IT MAY HAVE BURNED BEFORE ALSO,BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD A BURNING SMELL BEFORE. 3. CAR WAS PARKED,TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT ONE-HALF HOUR , THEN DRIVEN 6 MILES HOME.,NO ADDITIONAL SMOKE WAS SEEN AT THIS TIME. PART HAS BEEN REMOVED BY OWNER .OLD PART IS AVAILABLE,PART # F8VB-14A597-AB. FUSE DID NOT BLOW AND CAR IS DRIVABLE WITH PART REMOVED. I THINK THIS PART IS A COMPONENT OF THE FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND VIBRATE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL COIL SHORTAGE. THE MISFIRE CYLINDER 5, COIL PACK, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON A SEPARATE OCCASION FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AND THE MISFIRE CYLINDER 7, COIL PACK, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,425 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,045. UPDATED 03-27-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB

WHILE DRIVING THE LOW BEAMS WENT OUT ON CAR,20 MINUTES LATER HIGH BEAMS WENT OUT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY, HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS TO REPLACE PART. *TR

JUST CRUISING THROUGH A PARKING LOT ON MY WAY INTO WORK AND HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT. DAMAGED THE SPARK PLUG COIL AS WELL. HAD TO BUY A NEW COIL, AND A HELICOIL KIT TO RE-TAP THE SPARK PLUG HOLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, BUT IT FAILED TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY. HE PLACED HIS HAND ON THE FENDER AND THE HOOD SUDDENLY FELL AND SLAMMED DOWN ON HIS HAND. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL BRUISES, CUTS, AND BLISTERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE HOOD WAS RAISED TO THE FULL CAPACITY AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED STRUTS WERE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR