1998 Ford Crown Victoria
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
- Investigations
- 9
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
24% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 119 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1987 | 42 |
| 1988 | 43 |
| 1989 | 75 |
| 1990 | 43 |
| 1991 | 56 |
| 1992 | 316 |
| 1993 | 188 |
| 1994 | 198 |
| 1995 | 250 |
| 1996 | 276 |
| 1997 | 288 |
| 1998 | 119 |
| 1999 | 134 |
| 2000 | 85 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2003 | 249 |
| 2004 | 138 |
| 2005 | 193 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 50 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 23 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
24% · 29 reportsMost commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and gasoline.
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 reportsMost commonly citing rear and lower arm.
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 reportsMost commonly citing filler pipe and cap and tank assembly.
Exterior lighting
10% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing headlights and switch.
Electrical system
8% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and wiring.
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 →
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1998Complaint volume 119 complaints filed for this model year.
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1998-07-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-09-29 Front seat anchor bolt failure
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1998-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-02-11 Inertia fuel shut off switch
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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).
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1999-07-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-09-23 Blow back during refueling
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2000-10-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-02-02 Rear axle trailing arm frame mounting
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2001-11-27SQClosed 2002-10-03 Post rear end collision fires
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2002-08-22Defect petitionClosed 2002-12-04 Fuel-fed fires
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2002-10-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-01-27 Cng tank exploding in a fire
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2003-01-27Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-19 Cng tank explosion
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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.
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2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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 →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.