1996 Ford Crown Victoria
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1987 | 41 |
| 1988 | 42 |
| 1989 | 72 |
| 1990 | 43 |
| 1991 | 55 |
| 1992 | 310 |
| 1993 | 182 |
| 1994 | 192 |
| 1995 | 250 |
| 1996 | 276 |
| 1997 | 288 |
| 1998 | 119 |
| 1999 | 134 |
| 2000 | 85 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2003 | 249 |
| 2004 | 138 |
| 2005 | 193 |
| 2006 | 52 |
| 2007 | 49 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 23 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 29 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file.
FIRE5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 15 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
Campaign 96V070000 — check if this car was fixed
THE PITMAN ARMS WERE NOT FULLY LUBRICATED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE "BALL JOINT" AT THE OUTER END OF THE PITMAN ARM CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED AND CORRODE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE JOINT IS FOUND TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT WEAR, THE ARM WILL BE REPLACED. THOSE PITMAN ARMS NOT REPLACED WILL HAVE THE "BALL JOINT" FULLY GREASED.
Campaign 96V135000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER CAN WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED HOOD LATCH STRIKER (VEHICLES WITH 1992 MODEL HOODS) OR REVISED STRIKER PLATE ATTACHING FASTENERS (VEHICLES WITH 1993-1997 MODEL HOODS).
Campaign 97V024000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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 W
Campaign 98I001000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT SEAT ANCHOR BOLT FAILURE
BALL JOINT FAILURE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAIN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
Campaign 98V322000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT A
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.
Campaign 00V157002 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.
Campaign 00V157001 — check if this car was fixed
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES
FUEL-FED FIRES
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
BALL JOINT SEPARATION
CNG TANK EXPLOSION
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE
REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE
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 FIBE
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.
Campaign 03V472000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, S
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION
Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCUR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 08V051000 — check if this car was fixed
Dorman Products, Inc.
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.
Campaign 15E082000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 02I003000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02I003000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V070000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V135000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V024000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98I001000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V322000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V157002 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V157001 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V472000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V051000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15E082000 (steering) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.