1997 Ford Crown VictoriaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

“WHILE DRIVING IN NJ, THE MANIFOLD BLEW AND MADE THE VEHICLE INOPERATIVE. LUCKILY, MY MECHANIC CAME AND TOWED THE CAR TO HIS GARAGE. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A PRESSURE TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE 'PLASTIC MANIFOLD' HAD BLOWN. THE ORIGIN OF THE FLUID LEAK WAS BEHIND THE ALTERNATOR. THEN WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM BACK IN 2004-5. I NEVER KNEW, NOR WAS I NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS JUST INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON, NO DISCUSSION WAS MADE ABOUT THIS MANIFOLD PROBLEM ... THEY EVEN CHECKED FOR ANY PREVIOUS TECHNICAL BULLETINS. SO, NOW WHAT HAPPENS?”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH A POLICE INTERCEPTOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT IT DID NOT STOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE DID STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET IT HAD TO BE PUSHED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER OF RECALL 98I001000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION, HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2005. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 167,000.”

“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel jerked, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joints failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”