Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 58 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.
The 25 most recent of 58, in the owner's own words
HYDRAULIC LINE TO REAR BRAKE FAILED (RUPTURED) CAUSING IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDERNEATH DRIVER FRONT FLOOR PAN AT LOCATION OF INTEREST MENTIONED IN RECALL/"SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM". OWNER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING NOTICE WHICH INCLUDES INSPECTION OF BRAKE LINES, REPLACEMENT OF CLIPS (TO AVOID WEAR) AND POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LINE AND BLEEDING IF NEEDED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH A POLICE INTERCEPTOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT IT DID NOT STOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE DID STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET IT HAD TO BE PUSHED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER OF RECALL 98I001000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION, HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2005. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 167,000.
STEEL BRAKE LINE ON 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA RUSTED OUT. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT MAKING THE BRAKES INOPERATIVE. HAD REPAIRS DONE AT LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE NOTICED SMOKE FILLING UP INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THEN LIFTED THE HOOD AND FLAMES BEGAN TO RISE. THE WIRES TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKES WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THERE WERE RECALLS FOR TRUCKS OF THAT LINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE FORD DEALER. THE POWER TRAIN AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA AT 45 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP LIGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN. , THEN THE FRONT BRAKES ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED INTO THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED FLUID ON THE GROUND BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BRAKE LINE ROTTED. *AK
AT 1:15 A.M. ON DECEMBER 27, 2006, I DROVE MY 1997 CROWN VICTORIA FOR APROXIMATLY 20 MILES AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. ABOUT AN HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES LATER, I WAS AWAKEN BY A POPPING SOUND AND THE DOG BARKING. I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW TO FIND THE CAR'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I THEN CALLED 911 AND RAN OUT TO TRY TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE BRAKING SYSTEMS MASTER CILINDER, THEN IGNITED THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE AND ALL PLASTIC COMPONENTS RENDERING THE HOSE INEFECTIVE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED, THE FLAMES HAD SPREAD TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND A MASSIVE PLASTIC / RUBBER FIRE ENSUED.THE FIREMEN DOUSED IT WITH WATER FOR ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES THEN USED A FOAMING AGENT TO EXTINGUISH WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE REMAINS, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS MOSTLY INTACT. I HAD OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND HAD IT MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE ONLY MAJOR REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE CAR WAS REPLACING A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD (THAT TOO SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED, DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING THAT PERTICULAR MANIFOLD DESIGN). AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN SEVERAL MODELS MADE BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. TO RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM GO TO WWW.VEHICLE-INJURIES.COM AND LOOK UNDER "FORD EXPEDITION CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FIRES".
METAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND LEAKING TO LOSS OF BRAKE LINES TO BE REPLACED. *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
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 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
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
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKING, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE WAS WORN AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. *AK *CB *JB
SALE OF UNSAFE CARS FROM USEDPOLICECARS.COM. *LA
BRAKE LINE FORWARD OF REAR AXLE AND ABOVE FUEL FILTER RUBS ON CAR BODY, RESULTING IN A HOLE IN BRAKE LINE. *JB
BRAKE FAILURE- 97 CROWN VICTORIA. BRAKE LINE RUBBED THROUGH BY TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER- CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL DURING DRIVING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND FAULTY LINE OR REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIRS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN THROUGH ALREADY.*AK
CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS IN RECALL 98I001000 CONCERNING THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK *SCC *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY. *AK *PH *JB
THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO FAIL. *JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-004
WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THEY DID NOT HOLD, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HAVING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT BECAUSE OF A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. MR A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN EXTENDED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. *JG REFERENCED IN RQ03-004
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH NOTICE ANTI FREEZE BURNING SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STOPPED A SERVICE STATION AND NOTICE ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE BY TECHNICIAN AND REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD. NLM HEATER HOSE LEAKING COOLANT, ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. *YH REFERENCED IN RQ03-004
ABS APPLIED BRAKES WITH CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 65 MPH, THAN BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO RIGHT FRONT WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, LEFT FRONT BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE LEFT, ALSO LOST BRAKE POWER WHERE YOU HAD TO REALLY GET ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE CAR TO STOP LIKE THE CAR HAD NO POWER BRAKES AT ALL, CAR RIGHT NOW SETS IN THE DRIVEWAY AS MY WIFE DRIVES THE CARS AND I FEEL IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAR IS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CRASH AND I FEEL IT IS TO DANGEROUS TO ALLOW MY FAMILY TO BE IN THE CAR. *AK
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD WORN THROUGH. IT COST ME ABOUT $81.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED.*AK
BRAKE LINE HAS 1 1/4 LONG CHAFFING OR RUB AREA CAUSING LINE TO FAIL. UNDER BLACK RUBBER PAD DESIGN TO ELIMINATE CHAFFING PROBLEM. AREA IS NEXT TO DRIVERS SIDE OF TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER. APPEARS BLACK RUBBER PAD DID NOT PREVENT CHAFFING. MADE TEMPERORY ROADSIDE REPAIR TO KEEP CAR HOME. REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 8/27/2001. ASSIGNED REFERENCE NUMBER 9005812234. I HAVE FAIED BRAKE LINE AVAILABLE FOR INVESTIGATION.*AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004
ENGINE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND STARTED TO SPIT OUT ANTI-FREEZE AND WATER. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER REPLACED ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME MODELS, HOWEVER HIS WAS NOT INCLUDED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *SLC
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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