1997 Ford Crown Victoria

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Ford Crown Victoria
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Crown Victoria Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1987: 41 complaints 1988: 42 complaints 1988 1989: 72 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 310 complaints 1992 1993: 182 complaints 1994: 192 complaints 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1997 1998: 119 complaints 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 52 complaints 2007: 49 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2011: 23 complaints 2011
1997: 288 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19812
19823
19835
19846
198521
198627
198741
198842
198972
199043
199155
1992310
1993182
1994192
1995250
1996276
1997288
1998119
1999134
200085
200153
200258
2003249
2004138
2005193
200652
200749
200850
200944
201012
201123

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 37 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021106

SUSPENSION 7%

7% of complaints: suspension — 19 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 19 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM PLASTIC MANIFOLD, AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020917

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 18 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

1997 — complaint volume: 288
R 19970424 — latches/locks/linkages

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

R 19980501 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

I 19980723 — PE (closed 19980929)

FRONT SEAT ANCHOR BOLT FAILURE

R 19990118 — suspension

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

R 20000928 — seat belts

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

R 20000928 — seat belts

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

I 20011127 — SQ (closed 20021003)

POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES

I 20020822 — DP (closed 20021204)

FUEL-FED FIRES

I 20020906 — EA (closed 20040630)

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES

I 20021001 — PE (closed 20030127)

CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE

I 20030103 — RQ (closed 20030603)

BALL JOINT SEPARATION

I 20030127 — EA (closed 20031119)

CNG TANK EXPLOSION

I 20030311 — RQ (closed 20030725)

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

I 20030725 — EA (closed 20050411)

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

R 20040107 — fuel system, other

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

R 20050715 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL, THE REAR BRAKE LINE MAY CHAFE DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN IT AND A FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB, AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND FLOOR PAN STIFFENING RIB. IF CONTACT IS EVIDENT, BUT NO ABRASION OR LEAKS EXIST, THE BRAKE TUBE WILL BE REPOSITIONED T

Campaign 05V086000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20070813 — vehicle speed control

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

R 20080218 — vehicle speed control

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

R 20151028 — steering

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

R Date not on file — fuel system, gasoline

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

1997 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (34 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 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 05V086000 (service brakes, hydraulic) 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

▲ 1987 ▲ 1988 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1992 ■ 1996 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria have?

11 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.