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Research · Large Cars

1998 Ford Crown VictoriaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 134 owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (30) and suspension (18). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
134
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Oct 6, 2015NHTSA 15E082000

Vehicle speed control: cruise control

Free remedy

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 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Vehicle speed controlReported Feb 4, 2008NHTSA 08V051000

Vehicle speed control

Remedy pending

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, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Vehicle speed controlReported Aug 3, 2007NHTSA 07V336000
See all 10 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

134 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1997 – Mar 2020
  1. Engine and engine cooling30
  2. Suspension18
  3. Fuel system, gasoline15
  4. Exterior lighting13
  5. Electrical system10
  6. Power train9
  7. Structure8
  8. Steering7
  9. Tires6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Crown Victoria model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996294
1997304
1998134
1999159
2000137
200184
2002101
2003289
2004137
2005193
200653
200750
200850
200944
201012
201124
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
12
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

30 reports1 crash4 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/05/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED CAR OVERHEATING DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD, HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD. VIN FAILURE UPDATED 7/3/18*JB *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2016Engine and engine coolingODI 10924141

Suspension

18 reports1 fire
“HAD MY CAR SINCE 2014 I WORKED HARD TO BUY IT. IT DROVE PRETTY DECIDE UNTILL ELECTRIC PROBLEMS STARTED TO OCCUR. THEN MY PASSANGER SIDE WHEEL FOLDED IN WHILE OPERATING WITH MY KIDS LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION IM JUST A HARD WORKING FATHER TRYING TO PROVIDE A SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR MY FAMILY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2019Suspension, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)Fire reportedODI 11252146

Fuel system, gasoline

15 reports
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COUPLED WITH A SMELL GAS THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN ACTION # PE02071 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY THAT THE CONTACT BELIEVES RELATES TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2006Fuel system, gasolineODI 10173043
All 1998 Crown Victoria problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Crown Victoria
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152218$3,450494
Crown Victoria Police
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142017$3,650523
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 3910
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Crown Victoria questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Ford Crown Victoria problems?

Owners filed 134 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (30), suspension (18), fuel system, gasoline (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026