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1999 Ford Crown Victoria
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 134 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and suspension categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 196 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2001 | 2 | 59 |
| Sep 2001 | 1 | 60 |
| Oct 2001 | 1 | 61 |
| Nov 2001 | 1 | 62 |
| Jan 2002 | 2 | 64 |
| Feb 2002 | 3 | 67 |
| May 2002 | 1 | 68 |
| Jun 2002 | 1 | 69 |
| Jul 2002 | 2 | 71 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 72 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 73 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 74 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 75 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 76 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 77 |
| May 2003 | 2 | 79 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 80 |
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 81 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 82 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 83 |
| Nov 2003 | 1 | 84 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 85 |
| Feb 2004 | 2 | 87 |
| Jul 2004 | 3 | 90 |
| Oct 2004 | 2 | 92 |
| Nov 2004 | 2 | 94 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 95 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 96 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 97 |
| Sep 2005 | 1 | 98 |
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 99 |
| Dec 2005 | 2 | 101 |
| May 2006 | 1 | 102 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 103 |
| Aug 2006 | 3 | 106 |
| Oct 2006 | 2 | 108 |
| Jan 2007 | 1 | 109 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 110 |
| Apr 2007 | 1 | 111 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 112 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 113 |
| Jul 2009 | 1 | 114 |
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 115 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 116 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 117 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 118 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 119 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 120 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 121 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 122 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 123 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 124 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 125 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 126 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 127 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 128 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 129 |
| Jun 2018 | 3 | 132 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 133 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 134 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine2717.1%
- Fuel system2012.7%
- Suspension1811.4%
- Brakes1610.1%
- Tires & wheels127.6%
- Steering106.3%
- Electrical95.7%
- Exterior lighting95.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
8 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
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 POINT.THE PRD WAS REMOVED FROM THE FAILED TANK AND SUBJECTED TO A YIELD TEMPERATURE DETERMINATION TEST. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT A DIRECT FLAME (FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE) ONTO THE CYLINDER (LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT IN THE TRUNK)COMPROMISED THE HOOP STRENGTH OF THE NATURAL GAS CYLINDER, THUS ALLOWING THE CYLINDER TO FAIL PRIOR TO THE PRD RELEASING AT ITSDESIGNED TEMPERATURE.AS A RESULT OF THIS TESTING AND REVIEW OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLE, FORD HAS DEVELOPED AN INSULATOR TO INSULATE THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK FROM A LOCALLY DIRECTED FLAME PROJECTING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE.INSULATORS WILL BE INSTALLED BEHIND THE BACK SEAT ON SUBJECT VEHICLES TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES OF THIS TYPE. FORD'S ACTION ADDRESSES THE CONCERNS OF ODI.THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
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 WHY THIS TANK SAFETY VALVE DID NOT RELEASE IN THE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE FIRE THAT OCCURRED IN THE POLICE CRUISER.THERE IS ONLY THE SINGLE KNOWN EVENT, BUT DUE TO THE CATASTROPIC FORCE OF SUCH AN EXPLOSION AND THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY AND LOSS OF LIFE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED.
FUEL-FED FIRES
THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
My 99 ford crown victoria lx has front end issues. I have had to replace the ball joints about 4 times every 2 to 3 months because the front end keeps dropping. I'm not sure if you guys know about this but I've spoken with our local Ford mechanic and a few friends who have crown Victoria's as well and said that it has been a big issue with them along with the electrical components for the turn signals
- NHTSA ID
- 11500729
- Incident
- Jan 8, 2023
WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE DASH LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THEY THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE AND A HALF. THE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF AND COME BACK ON AT RANDOM. I CAN BE ON THE INTERSTATE OR ON A CITY STREET. I CAN BE GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11189980
- Incident
- Oct 23, 2014
- Mileage
- 155,000 mi
THE PAD KEY STOP WORKING I HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO LET ME IN MY CAR ON A RAINY NITE WITH MY KIDS N TILL THIS DAY STILL DON'T WORK.I CAN'T LICK MY DOORS
- NHTSA ID
- 11102910
- Incident
- Apr 8, 2018
THE TURN SINGLE COMMILM IS MESSING UP.THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK
- NHTSA ID
- 11102908
- Incident
- May 1, 2018
ANYTIME I PUT A HALF A TANK IN GAS IN CAR IT SMELLS BAD IN TRUCK SO WHEN THIS DOES HAPPEN I LOOK IN THE TRUCK,THERE'S THIS FOAM IN THE BACK THAT'S CO BED WITH GAS,N THE SMALL IS BAD.I DON'T LET ME KIDS IN THE GAS,NTIL ITS GONE..WILL IT CATCH IN 🔥.IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.HELP PLZ
- NHTSA ID
- 11102907
- Incident
- Feb 21, 2018
THE CAR LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE THROUGHT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD. WHO EVER HEARD OF A PLASTIC MANIFOLD. THE ORIGINAL PART IS A DEFECTIVE PART-MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL.FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART, IT CAUSES HAVIC CONSTANTLY NEEDS TO ADD COOLANT. THE THERMOSTAT CANNOT BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE PLASTIC HOUSING IS ONE PIECE WITH THE MANIFOLD.
- NHTSA ID
- 10986187
- Incident
- May 14, 2017
I RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS RECALLED AND I WAS TO RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL AS TO WHEN I COULD COME IN FOR SERVICE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT SAID NOTICE AND MY LIGHTS ARE NOT REPAIRED.
- NHTSA ID
- 10970033
- Incident
- Dec 21, 2015
TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TREAD SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALLS.
- NHTSA ID
- 10855277
- Incident
- Apr 10, 2016
- Mileage
- 165,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF WISCONSIN AND CONNECTICUT UPGRADE MODIFICATIONS FOR HIGH SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *PE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 05N04 - EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS PROGRAM IS BEING PROVIDED AS A SETTLEMENT TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT EXTEND THE COVERAGE OF THE ALL-COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO 7 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY START DATE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF MILES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN. *TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. *TT UPDATE. *TT
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 41.9 |
| 2010 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 53.4 |
| 2009 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 50.1 |
| 2008 | 50 | 3 | 3 | 63.9 |
| 2007 | 50 | 4 | 4 | 68.7 |
| 2006 | 53 | 3 | 3 | 64.4 |
| 2005 | 193 | 6 | 7 | 61.5 |
| 2004 | 138 | 3 | 6 | 56.9 |
| 2003 | 249 | 7 | 9 | 62.7 |
| 2002 | 58 | 5 | 3 | 67.1 |
| 2001 | 53 | 7 | 7 | 66.5 |
| 2000 | 85 | 10 | 5 | 58.5 |
| 1999Viewing | 134 | 8 | 7 | 60.7 |
| 1998 | 119 | 10 | 9 | 62.4 |
| 1997 | 288 | 11 | 10 | 62.7 |
| 1996 | 276 | 12 | 10 | 63.9 |
| 1995 | 250 | 12 | 7 | 64.4 |
| 1994 | 192 | 7 | 4 | 65.9 |
| 1993 | 182 | 9 | 10 | 65.4 |
| 1992 | 310 | 9 | 10 | 65.8 |
| 1991 | 55 | 4 | 2 | 64.8 |
| 1990 | 43 | 3 | 3 | 67.7 |
| 1989 | 72 | 2 | 3 | 67.0 |
| 1988 | 42 | 2 | 2 | 65.0 |
| 1987 | 41 | 4 | 3 | 70.4 |
| 1986 | 27 | 1 | 3 | 65.6 |
| 1985 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 57.4 |
| 1984 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — |
| 1983 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1982 | 3 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.