RoadVitals

1996 Ford Crown Victoria Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
46
Latest Oct 27, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 276 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 46 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 46, in the owner's own words

EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Oct 27, 2015

#1 - I CONSTANTLY HAVE MY ENGINE LIGHT ON AND DURING 2 INSPECTIONS I RECEIVED A SAFETY/EMISSIONS RECALL PRINTOUT, DEFECT # DR-1209 FOR MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS. BOTH TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED THERE'S NO RECALL FOR IT. I JUST NOTICED ON THE NHTSA SITE, THAT RECALLS ONLY GO BACK AS FAR AS 1999. THEY ALSO SAID THAT SINCE IT'S NO LONGER A "POLICE OWNED" VEHICLE, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. # 2 - I HAVE BEEN GETTING A CONSTANT SEVERE FUEL SMELL THAT PERMEATES THROUGH THE CAR WHICH IS EXACERBATED WITH WARM WEATHER AND OR WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. #3 - THERE'S A CONSTANT ISSUE OF THE CAR VIBRATING WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT 55 - 60 MPH.

NHTSA ID
10786431
Incident
Jun 2, 2015
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 18, 2011

I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 24TH, 2011 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WHO SAID, "THE COOLANT LEAK", BUT THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WHEN I DROVE IT HOME LESS THAN 3 MILES AWAY THE HOOD OF MY CAR WAS SMOKING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WITH MY FRIEND WHO DROVE HIS CAR TO ENSURE MY SAFETY, MY CAR BEGAN TO OVER HEAT AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 10 MINUTES! I WAS SO FRANTIC THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BURNED UP IN THE CAR. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INFORM ME THAT THIS MAY BE A RECALL AND TO CHECK WITH THE FORD CORPORATION AND I DID CALLED FORD CORPORATION AND FOUND OUT THIS VEHICLE HAD CONTROL CRUISE HARNESS AND A INTAKE MANIFOLD RECALL ID IS 01M02, THE DEALERSHIP FOR CAMELBACK FORD IN PHOENIX, MR. CHAD MCDOWELL OFFER THIS RECALL NUMBER BUT HIS EMPLOYEE [XXX] OFFER TO HELP ME FIX THE BOTH PROBLEMS, THEN LATER ON NEGATED. I FEEL A RECALL OF ANY VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER BE EXPIRED BASE ON THESE ISSUES OF SAFETY AND REGARDLESS OF A SETTLEMENT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN REACHED, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE REPAIR TO MAKE IT AT LEAST A WHOLE AGAIN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND AVOID A POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. I FOUND THE RECALL OF THIS INTAKE MANIFOLD OFFERING CONSUMER UP TO $ 750 TO REPAIR THE CAR WITHOUT ANY RECEIPTS? WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE AFTERWARDS, IS THAT FAIR. NOW MY CONCERN IS THAT I AM SMELLING GASOLINE WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I BELIEVED IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE GAS LINE OR THE SENSOR, AND I HATE PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE. I FEAR THAT THE MECHANIC WILL TELL ME ITS GOING TO BE A COSTLY MATTER AND IT'S NEVER GOING TO STOP WITH THIS CAR AND I JUST WANT TO GET RID OF IT OR HAVE IT REPAIR AS IT SHOULD OF BEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE FORD COMPANY WOULD NOT APPROVE IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ID
10436423
Incident
Oct 24, 2011
Mileage
35 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Jan 17, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR WITH 108000 MILES AND THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD THAT COVERS THE FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN INSTALLED. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (02I003000): AND (96V135000) FOR STEERING:LINKAGES THAT HAD NOT BEEN FIXED ON HIS VEHICLE. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL TO DATE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10178967
Incident
Jan 16, 2007
Mileage
108,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WHAT I HEAR ABOUT THE GRAND MARQUIS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK IS RATHER DISTURBING TO ME I AM AWARE NOW THAT THESE CARS ARE CAPABLE OF CATCHING ON FIRE IF HIT FROM BEHIND. I CARRY THREE SMALL CHILDREN TO SCHOOL EVERY MORNING IN "THIS CAR" I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD CORP. ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SEEM TO NOT BE BOTHERED ABOUT THIS FACT. NOW TO MY OTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE JUST REPLACED MY INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR CRACKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT HE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE FORD CORP. HAS REDESIGNED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR THIS MODEL AND RAISED THE PRICE FROM ABOUT 250.00 TO ALMOST 500.00. IN JULY OF 2002 THERE WAS A PART THAT WENT OUT ON MY A/C UNIT THAT I HAD TO REPLACE (I HAVE TO CONTACT MY MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT PART IT WAS THAT WAS REPLACED) IN JULY 2002 I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTERS TURNED, IN JANUARY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THEM TURNED AGIAN AND HAVE MY RIGHT BACK ROTER REPACED BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER GOOD. (ALL THIS WAS DONE ON JANUARY 10 2003 NOW IT IS JAN. 20, 2003 AND MY RIGHT FRONT ROTER IS GRINDING AGAIN (I ALSO HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON ALL AROUND JAN.10,2003. MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS DROOPING BECAUSE IT NEEDS A NEW PIN PUT IN... MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO BALK WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDAL,MY CAR ALSO HAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN I HIT A HOLE OR TURN. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CORP. ON THESE ISSUES THEY SEEMED LIKED THEY REALLY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THESE THINGS. MAYBE YOU MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE THAT I COULD CONTACT IN THE FORD CORP. THAT IS "HIGH UP" AND THAT WOULD LISTEN TO MY ONCERNS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SINCERLY, DIANE

NHTSA ID
10069858
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Mar 17, 2003

THE FUEL TANK HAD NO SHIELD BEHIND IT, IF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IT COULD CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE RECALL ONLY RELATED TO POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLE'S. *JB

NHTSA ID
10011897
Incident
Mar 14, 2003
Mileage
146,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 7, 2003

THE VEHICLE IS A POLICE INTERCEPTOR MODEL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING RECALL 02I003000 AND THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE FLEET OF LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES. TS SCC

NHTSA ID
10002268
Incident
Jan 7, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Dec 31, 2002
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported3 deaths reported

THERE HAS BEEN 3 DEATHS AND 1 CRITICAL INJURY WITHIN THE ARIZONA LAW ENFORCEMENT, REGARDING THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE CRUISER'S, THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CATCH ON FIRE IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A REAR SIDE IMPACT COLLISION.*JB *TT

NHTSA ID
10001231
Fuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2002

CONSUMER STATED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL #021003000 FUEL TANK/POLICE VEHICLE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED. TS

NHTSA ID
10001438
Incident
Dec 3, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Sep 24, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50MPH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED.*JB CONSUMER STATED THAT SUDDEN FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS ON RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *YH

NHTSA ID
8019250
Incident
Jun 27, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2002

I WAS FORCED TO STAY AT A HOTEL OVERNIGHT UNTIL MONDAY AFTERNOON WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH A REPLACEMENT MANIFOLD MADE OF METAL BY FORD. THE HOTEL BILL CAME TO $220.

NHTSA ID
766964
Incident
Aug 18, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2002

IN 4-1999 A RECALL OWNER LETTER WAS SENT TO ALL FORD DEALERS IN REGARD TO FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS USED ON THE 4.6 L SCHC ENGINES. THE RECALL IS FOR 1996-1998 CROWN VICTORIA TAXIS AND I FEEL SINCE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY INTAKE MANIFOLD I SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIR. FORD HAS HAD RECALLS FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS EVERY YEAR UP TO 2002.FORD DEALER IN TOWN IS NO HELP NOR THE 1-800 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE NUMBER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR REPAIR SINCE THEY WERE CHEAPER THE FORD DEALER. BRYAN WALKER AT THE GARAGE SAID HIS 96 FORD CROWN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LAST YEAR AND THE FORD DEALER DID HELP HIM GET A REFUND SO I KNOW THEY ARE HELPING SOME PEOPLE.I KNOW THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR BUT SINCE THERE IS ONE FOR THE TAXIX AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I FEEL IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE SAME RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
764991
Incident
Jun 20, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jul 2, 2002

HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ARE REQUIRED BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED, FORCING A MANUFACTURER TO MAKE REPAIRS FOR A MANUFACTURER TO MAKE REPAIRS FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ? ON YOUR SITE, THERE ARE 24 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME COOLANT LEAKING PROBLEM WITH THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON FORD'S 4.6L ENGINES. WHY WAS THE ACTION ALREADY TAKEN ONLY APPLIED TO POLICE VEHICLES ? I'M SURE THE LEAK IS THE SAME PROBLEM WE ALL HAVE HAD. MINE IS NUMBER 25 AND THESE ARE ONLY THE OWNERS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO PURSUE THE ISSUE WITH NHTSA. MY COST FOR THE PART ALONE IS $650.00. SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND FORD HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE REPLACEMENT PART, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE.*AK

NHTSA ID
763741
Incident
Jul 2, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2002

WHILE DRIVING INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER WASNOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013017
Incident
Jun 28, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jun 7, 2002

WHILE DRIVING HEARD A NOISE/PULLED OVER, AND ANTI FREEZE HAD LEAKED OUT DUE TO A BROKEN INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ID
8011296
Incident
Jun 6, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Apr 18, 2002

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED NEAR THE THERMOSTAT AND ALL THE COOLANT LEAKED OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. TOOK IT TO RANDALL NOE FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED. THEY TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AT THAT TIME I TOLD THEM IT SOUNDED LIKE A DESIGN DEFECT. THEY SAID THEY HAD SEEN A LOT OF FAILURES LIKE THIS. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK FOR RECALLS WHICH THEY DID BUT NONE WERE FOUND. ABOUT 30 DAYS AGO (AROUND MARCH 15, 2002) A RELATIVE SENT ME AN EMAIL SHOWING THAT MANY 1996 CROWN VICTORIAS WERE BEING RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID OURS WAS NOT INCLUDED. I WOULD LIKE THE NTSA TO MAKE THEM INCLUDE IT. I KNOW, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT WAS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $800+ THAT I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED. THANKS MIKE PARKS

NHTSA ID
760868
Incident
May 26, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Apr 15, 2002

HAVING PROBLEMS WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ID
8007669
Incident
Mar 29, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Mar 23, 2002

THEIR HAVE BEEN 3 VIN# RECALLED POLICE CARS,TOW TRUCK DRIVER NEW WHEN I TOLD HIM WHAT PART HAD FAILED INTAKE MANIFOLD. NEW MANIFOLD FRONT PART IS NOW MADE OF METAL. THIS A MANUFACTOR PROBLEM NOT A DEALER PROBLEM. A MAN CAME UP TO ME AND ASKED IF I HAD A PROBLEM WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD HIS HAD DONE THE SAME THING. *AK

NHTSA ID
759709
Incident
Mar 10, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Feb 6, 2002

RECALL 01 F 025 000/INTAKE MANIFOLD; INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK, AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN.FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
8003645
Incident
Dec 4, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Jan 17, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED LIMIT VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002422
Fuel system
Filed Dec 12, 2001

A CORNER SEAL FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CRACKING, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 01F025000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8000649
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2001

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE HEARD NOISE. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN FRONT OF THE MANIFOLD, IT LEAKED COOLENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
899804
Fuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2001

INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED DUE TO BEING MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. THIS CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK ONTO ALTERNATOR AND MOTOR. STEAM WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD SHOWN VEHICLE RUNNING HOT WHILE DRIVING. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
897866
Incident
Oct 6, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2001

MY INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND ACCORDING TO FORD (SERVICE CENTER REP) AND MY MECHANIC THIS PART IS UNDER RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE WHO I CONTACT FOR REIMBURSEMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
750980
Incident
Jun 6, 2001
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Aug 6, 2001

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED AND FLUID WAS COMING FROM THE BOTTOM. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEAR DEALER, WHERE THEY FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON INTAKE MANIFOLD. ALSO, THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN AND MILEAGE OVER THE WARRANTY.*AK VEHICLE WAS HAD ALSO OVERHEATED, MECHANIC FOUND THE FRONT OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED BADLY AT MANUFACTURING SEAM AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE SHUDDERS, THERE ARE SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS RELATING TO THIS, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES SHE PAID FOR REPAIRS AND FEELS THIS TOO SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *SLC

NHTSA ID
893586
Incident
Aug 2, 2001
EngineFuel systemTransmission
Filed May 18, 2001

INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED, ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK AND SPRAY INTO ALTERNATOR AND DESTROY IT. MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK ALSO OVERHEATING CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL, WHEN THE MANIFOLD LEAKED OUT ALL THE COOLANT, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF IT, BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER UNLESS ITS IN LIQUID.*JB

NHTSA ID
888621
Incident
May 1, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .