2001 Ford Crown Victoria Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1116.9%
- Airbags913.8%
- Fuel system710.8%
- Steering710.8%
- Brakes69.2%
- Driver assistance57.7%
- Seat belts57.7%
- Suspension46.2%
- Electrical46.2%
- Exterior lighting23.1%
- Tires & wheels23.1%
- Visibility11.5%
- Other / unspecified11.5%
- Transmission11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE INTAKE IS PLASTIC HAS AN CRACK AND LEAK ANTIFREEZE
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER, UPON CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, WE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (WHICH IS PLASTIC) GOT TO HOT WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHICH IS WHERE IT HAS SET SINCE. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ARE AUTO AIRBAGS WARRENTIED BY THE GOVERNMENT?*TR
IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT A HIGH SPEED NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*AK CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER, UPON CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, WE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (WHICH IS PLASTIC) GOT TO HOT WHICH CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE WHICH IS WHERE IT HAS SET SINCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WORKED FOR A COMPANY THAT HAD SIX CROWN VICTORIAS AND ONE FORD MUSTANG. THE GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE FUEL TANK FROM THE FILLER PIPE. WHEN HE FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT ON TOP OF THE HOT EXHAUST. THE CONTACT NOTICED A TREND AND THE COMPANY REPLACED THE GASKETS ON SEVEN VEHICLES. HE IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE PART FOR THE SEVENTH VEHICLE, WHICH IS ON BACKORDER AT EVERY DEALER IN ATLANTA. HE HAS NOT CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,457 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle drift back-fourth while driving on highway. Excessive play in steering wheel,
THE STEERING SHAFT IS CREAKING WHEN YOU TURN AND ALOTTA PLAY IN THE STEERING SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO SNAP IT HAPPENS IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY WHEN I TURN OR BEAR LEFT OR RIGHT THE PIC THE SHAFT THING ON THE LEFT IS A PICTURE OF THE PART HAPPENS WHEN I'M IN MOTION AND EVEN WHEN I'M STATIONARY AND I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS NOT CAUSED A WRECK YET BUT FEELS LIKE IT WOULD IF THAT PART BRAKES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND TRYING TO STOP THE ABS BRAKE FAILED,THE VEHICLE TO SKIDDED AND CAUSED ACCIDENT.
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKES LOCKING UP, IN THE ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I MISSED A PARKED CAR AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. I WAS GOING ABOUT 5MPH AND IT ACCELERATED VERY FAST NOT SURE MPH BUT IT WAS SCARY. I HAPPENED SEPT. 14, 2011. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN OCTOBER OF 2007 AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY DEACTIVATED HIS WIRING HARNESS. HE RECEIVED A NEW NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2008 STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PERSONALLY ORDER THE PARTS IF HE WANTED HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,650. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETENTION DEVICE WOULD NOT RELEASE RESULTING IN SQUEEZING OF CHILD WRAPPED UP IN SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT WITH A KNIFE TO GET CHILD OUT OF SEAT BELT. EVEN WITH THE BUCKLE UNLATCHED. NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NECESSARY BUT, CHILD WAS SEVERELY TRAUMATIZED AS THE SEAT BELT WAS SQUEEZING HER SO TIGHT THAT THE ADULTS TRYING TO FREE HER COULD BARELY GET A FINGER BETWEEN HER AND THE SEAT BELT. *TR
CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH, UPON IMPACT FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, SHOULDER BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER, DRIVER EXPERIENCED MUSCLE PAINS IN NECK/SHOULDER, AND BACK AREAS, INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.*AKCONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER ARE NOT WILLING TO ASSIST IN FINDING OUT WHY THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED, CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY, HOWEVER THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 5 MPH THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FELL OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 81,000 MILES. *AK
2001 CROWN VICTORIA DEFECTIVE LOWER BALL JOINTS, POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF NO GREASE FITTING ON BALL JOINTS TO DO NORMAL MAINTENANCE LUBE. *TS *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOPPED AND THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON HIGH THE TURN SIGNALS PERIODICALLY RAPIDLY FLASH. THE AUDIBLE CLICKING OF THE TURN SIGNALS CLICKS FAST AS WELL. THE BULBS ARE NOT BLOWN. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY OR IT DOES HAPPEN.
AFTER A RAIN MY 2001 FORD CROWN VIC LEAKED THROUGH THE WIPERS INTO THE GEM CAUSING FAILURES OF MOST ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND UNWANTED ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
ROTARY SWITCH HAS SEVERAL FUNCTIONS FOR OPERATING INTERIOR LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND PUSHING SWITCH IN TO TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON, HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. NO INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS IS MENTIONED IN OWNER MANUAL. *AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE VEHICLE HAS CORDOVAN CENTRON TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF HIS TIRES WAS LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. HE NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALL WAS CRACKED AND THE STEEL CORD WAS VISIBLE. HE RETURNED TO WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED, STRAUSS AUTO. THE MANAGER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE TIRE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THE MANAGER DID NOT WANT TO GIVE HIM THE MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER. THE CONTACT CANNOT LOCATE THE NUMBER TO CALL AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE TIRE. THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE TIRE IS 1805. THE TIRE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. FIRESTONE, AFFINITY, P22560S. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE WIPER FAILURE RESULTED IN REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR LABEL AND OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT GIVE A TIRE PRESSURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD COMPANY, BUT THEY REFUSED TO GIVE INFORMATION. TOLD CONSUMER TO CONTACT GOODYEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES NOISE, THE DEALER ADJUSTED IT. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .