1999 Ford Crown Victoria

Family: Crown Victoria · filed with NHTSA as CROWN VICTORIA, CVPI

Summary

In its first three years the 1999 Crown Victoria drew 62 complaints — 1.0× the median of its generation (1998–2011). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Engine, holds 20% of the 134 that name a component.
8 recalls filed for this model year.
7 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 138
Recalls: 8
Investigations: 7
NCAP overall: Not rated
Combined MPG: 15–18
Annual fuel cost: $2,950–$3,900
Median mileage at complaint: 83,000 mi (n = 44)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 6 / 4 / 10 / 1

What owners report

Engine

27 complaints · 20% of complaints that name a component · median 91,400 mi (n = 16)

Owner report THE CAR LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE THROUGHT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD. WHO EVER HEARD OF A PLASTIC MANIFOLD. THE ORIGINAL PART IS A DEFECTIVE PART-MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL.FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART, IT CAUSES HAVIC CONSTANTLY NEEDS TO ADD COOLANT. THE THERMOSTAT CANNOT BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE PLASTIC HOUSING IS ONE PIECE WITH …

Owner report ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE SHOT OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE COIL PACK AND THREADS TO THE BLOCK. THIS IS A 200$ TO 300$ FIX EACH TIME. GETTING TO BE A HASSLE.

Fuel & Propulsion

21 complaints · 16% of complaints that name a component · median 74,694 mi (n = 5)

Owner report WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS IF SOMEONE HIT MY TRUNK WITH A HAMMER. I PULLED INTO A CONCRETE DRIVE WAY THAT BELONGED TO A GROCERY WAREHOUSE SO I COULD TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO MY WORK. I DROVE BACK TO MY WORK ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE FROM WHERE I HEARD THE NOISE.…

Owner report LTR FWD FROM CONSUMER RE DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH FOR A 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. *TS THE FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH WOULD CUT OFF EVERY 10,000 TO 12,000 MILES FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUEMR WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURED AND LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURED. *NM

Suspension

19 complaints · 14% of complaints that name a component · median 81,865 mi (n = 6)

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…

Owner report PREVIOUSLY REPORTED UNDER RECALL # 98V322000. THIS RECALL WAS LIMITED TO 1994-1999 CROWN VICTORIA FLEET VEHICLES, NATURAL GAS, AND LINCOLN TOWNCAR LIMO'S. A PART SEARCH SHOWS ALL CROWN VICTORIAS FROM 1994-1999 USE THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE BALL JOINTS. THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN FLEET, PASSENGER,CNG,…

3% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (1998–2011)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 62.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
1998	122	61
1999	138	62
2000	89	33	not compared
2001	54	35	not compared
2002	60	31	not compared
2003	327	115	most complaints
2004	155	16	not compared
2005	213	28	not compared
2006	53	7	not compared
2007	50	4	not compared
2008	50	9	not compared
2009	44	15	not compared
2010	12	2	not compared
2011	23	12	not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

15E082000 · STEERING

Filed 2015-10-06 · 1,767 vehicles

Defect: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

Risk: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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.

06E056000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Filed 2006-06-13 · 58,640 vehicles

Defect: 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 DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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.

03V472000 · FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Filed 2003-11-06 · 4,218 vehicles

Defect: 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 FIBERGLASS WRAP ON THE TANK WEAKENING THE TANK.

Risk: IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

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.

02I003000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Filed 2002-10-15 · 350,000 vehicles

Defect: 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. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Risk: SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.

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. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.

00V200000 · EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER

Filed 2000-07-18 · 875,000 vehicles

Defect: 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 REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.

Risk: IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.

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.

00V157002 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Filed 2000-06-12 · 1,129 vehicles

Defect: 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 ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

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.

00V157001 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Filed 2000-06-12 · 1,167 vehicles

Defect: 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 FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

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.

98V322000 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Filed 1998-12-16 · 175,000 vehicles

Defect: 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 CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Risk: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
DP05005	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2005-09-22	2006-01-04
EA03001	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	2003-01-27	2003-11-19	03V472000
PE02071	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	2002-10-01	2003-01-27
DP02007	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES	2002-08-22	2002-12-04
SQ01014	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE	2001-11-27	2002-10-03	02I003000
PE00043	STRUCTURE	2000-10-20	2001-02-02
PE99047	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES	1999-07-12	1999-09-23

DP05005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

EA03001: CNG TANK EXPLOSION

PE02071: CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE

DP02007: FUEL-FED FIRES

SQ01014: POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES

PE00043: REAR AXLE TRAILING ARM FRAME MOUNTING

PE99047: BLOW BACK DURING REFUELING

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Crown Victoria	4.6L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	15	22	18	$3450
Crown Victoria CNG	4.6L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	13	19	15	$2950
Crown Victoria Police	4.6L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	14	20	16	$3900

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
1999 Ford Crown Victoria 4-DR.	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 196 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about engine and engine cooling.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2008-05-16	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR	FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE
2008-05-15	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF WISCONSIN AND CONNECTICUT UPGRADE MODIFICATIONS FOR HIGH SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *PE
2007-10-01	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. PE
2005-12-14	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE	EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 05N04 - EXTENDED COVERAGE FOR COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS PROGRAM IS BEING PROVIDED AS A SETTLEMENT TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT EXTEND THE COVERAGE OF THE ALL-COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIF…
2005-11-14	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
2005-03-21	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	GUIDANCE FOR CNG TANK INSPECTION FOR VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1996. TT UPDATE. TT
2004-12-13	VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW	REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT
2004-12-13	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)	GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
2004-12-01	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	CHARGING SYSTEM LIMITATIONS. *EH
2004-08-23	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04.

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Crown Victoria, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Crown Victoria model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.