1998 Ford Crown Victoria

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Ford Crown Victoria
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:51:09.004Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
119
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
9

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1998 119 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2011: 23 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1986 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1994 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1998 119 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2002 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2006 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2010 2011: 23 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1986 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1994 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1998 119 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2002 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2006 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2010 2011: 23 complaints

1998: 119 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19812
19823
19835
19846
198521
198627
198742
198843
198975
199043
199156
1992316
1993188
1994198
1995250
1996276
1997288
1998119
1999134
200085
200153
200258
2003249
2004138
2005193
200653
200750
200850
200944
201012
201123

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Small crack in intake manifold and detached hose fitting on the top of intake manifold. Car overheated. Contacted Ford on March 21, 2003. Just entered my complaint in system.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-10

The intake manifold cracked. *jb the engine was warmed up, and hot antifreeze dispensed from the intake and burned the tow truck driver.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-31

Gas fumes got inside the car. Owner blacked out and hit another vehicle. Deale r has seen vehicle, and cant find the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-15

Suspension

17% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing rear and lower arm.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I was a professional mechanic and went to school for it also with over ten years experience in the field !

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-15

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the check air suspension warning lamp illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-17

Fuel system, gasoline

13% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing filler pipe and cap and tank assembly.

Exterior lighting

10% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

Electrical system

8% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Had my car since 2014 I worked hard to buy it. It drove pretty decide untill electric problems started to occur.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-29

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

My 1998 Ford Crown Victoria caught on fire in my driveway after sitting for 12 hours. The fire dept said it started in the electrical wiring under the hood. The car is now completely destroyed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-08-30

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 9 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 119 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1998-07-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-09-29 Front seat anchor bolt failure
  3. I
    1998-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-02-11 Inertia fuel shut off switch
  4. R
    1999-01-18Suspension98V322000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).

  5. I
    1999-07-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-09-23 Blow back during refueling
  6. R
    2000-08-03Equipment00V200000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles have jacking instructions which, if followed, could cause the vehicle operator to place the jack on a frame weld when attempting to raise a…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with a revised jack instruction and stowage card and jack warning label, as well as a supplement to the owner guide.

  7. R
    2000-09-28Seat belts00V157002 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…

    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.

  8. R
    2000-09-28Seat belts00V157001 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…

    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.

  9. I
    2000-10-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-02-02 Rear axle trailing arm frame mounting
  10. I
    2001-11-27SQClosed 2002-10-03 Post rear end collision fires
  11. I
    2002-08-22Defect petitionClosed 2002-12-04 Fuel-fed fires
  12. I
    2002-10-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-01-27 Cng tank exploding in a fire
  13. I
    2003-01-27Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-19 Cng tank explosion
  14. R
    2004-01-07Fuel system, other03V472000 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…

    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.

  15. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  16. R
    2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…

    Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.

  17. R
    2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 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…

    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…

  18. R
    2008-02-18Vehicle speed control08V051000 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…

    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.

  19. R
    2015-10-28Steering15E082000 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.

  20. R
    Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline02I003000 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.

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02I003000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 98V322000 · Suspension
  • Recall 00V200000 · Equipment
  • Recall 00V157002 · Seat belts
  • Recall 00V157001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V472000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 15E082000 · Steering

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.