2003 Ford Crown Victoria acceleration problems

Filed Sep 10, 2013 · Acceleration · 121,000 miles · NJ

I saw similar reports of this failure and decided to add to the # of complaints, as I experienced this, too. Upon acceleration up a hill, air flow through vents (A/C or heat) would stop and go to defrost, then return after car began "cruising" again. Over time, air flow defaulted to always being defrost. (I had heard that this default position upon failure was a safety mandate.) without a recall, the cost was fully mine, so I considered alternatives. A dealer service for this problem (replace the dashboard's electronic automatic temperature control unit or "eatc") would have been megabucks (I heard $800 for the unit, itself) for parts and labor. A rebuilt eatc by mail order (rebuild mine or swap for mine) would have been $250-400 for the part alone. The problem is failed original o-rings on the vacuum actuators within the eatc; not a dealer-offered repair. I repaired it myself. I ordered 5/52" id x 9/32" od silicone o-rings (4 needed, 1 for each actuator) and replaced them on the nozzle of each vacuum actuator, reassembled and remounted the actuators, reconnected the vacuum hoses and reinstalled the eatc unit into the dashboard. After more than 3 years, the eatc now continues to operate properly. Cost of parts (o-rings, silicone spray and dielectric grease) was about $30 and 1 1/2 hours of my time. It appears to be an extremely common problem with a simple, albeit very expensive, correction, if done by the dealer.

Filed Apr 21, 2010 · Acceleration · 152,401 miles · GA · crash

2003 ford crown victoria police was parked. Driver put foot on brake, put car in reverse. Car suddenly accelerated at high speed.

Filed Mar 18, 2008 · Acceleration · IA

1993 ford crown victoria with speed control recall. Consumer states that he received a letter in february saying parts were available. When he called the dealer they had not heard that parts were available.

Filed Oct 22, 2007 · Acceleration, Lights · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford crown victoria. The cruise control would not work. On several occasions, after driving 14 miles, the key would become very hot which was noticed when it was removed from the ignition. The electrical windows would not go up or down properly as they should and activate either very slowly or very quickly. The front driver's seat would not go back and forth as it should and either moves very slowly or not at all. This is the second time that the contact has experienced electrical failure with the windows and the seat. She also stated that the head light switch works intermittently and must be held in order for it to activate. The current mileage was 38,000 and the failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Sep 9, 2005 · Acceleration · NY

Dt: 2003 ford crown victoria. The consumer states on august 29, 2005 the vehicle was going 25 MPH when it took off. The consumer's foot was not on the accelerator pedal. He tried to depress the brake, but they would not work. He put the vehicle in neutral and turned the vehicle off to get it to stop. The consumer stated the air conditioner made the vehicle go faster, and he thought this was the cause of the problem. The dealership could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. The consumer stated this has happened once before.

Filed Jun 8, 2005 · Acceleration · 14,000 miles · NC

Dt: ,2003 ford, crown victoria. Consumer states that when she starts the vehicle it is fine, but as soon as she takes foot off of the accelerator the engine cuts off. This happened three times, and has taken the vehicle to the service department twice ,and they couldn't find anything wrong with the vehicle.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Acceleration · 13,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

While engaging in reverse the vehicle accelerated at 90 MPH. The tires were screeching and smoking. As a result, the vehicle collided into three other vehicle and a pedestrian. *ak a child was injured. (pinned between the vehicle and his father's vehicle) the consumer stepped on the accelerator to back out of the parking space, but the vehicle did not move. The consumer then stepped on the brake and gently on the accelerator again, and the vehicle raced away backwards at a extremely fast speed. The consumer stepped on the brakes with all her strength, but the vehicle would not stop.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Acceleration, Seats · NY

While driving at any speed front seat moved back and forth. Also, speedometer failed. Dealership urged consumer to call and file a complaint.

Filed Aug 5, 2003 · Acceleration · 8,999 miles · VA

Problems with vehicle's cruise control.*mr while driving uphill the vehicles cruise control failed and the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. The consumer had to apply the brake and switch off the engine to get the vehicle to stop. The failure was the result of a cable assembly between the cruise control box and carburetor which came loose, jamming the cable on the pulley. *ph

Filed Jul 10, 2003 · Acceleration · VA

Cruise control failed at almost full throttle while going uphill from lee vinning ca to mammoth lakes ca, on us 395, from about 4,000 ft to 8,000 ft elevation. Vehicle was a budget rental car, contract 133247, from long beach, ca, (lgb) airport location, 2003 ford crown victoria, din [xxx], ca license [xxx], less than 9,000 miles. Brake & cruise control off switch did not remedy throttle position. Stopped car by applying brake & switching off engine on side of road. Did not attempt to switch engine off at high speed as it may, or may not, have locked steering wheel. Fixed problem as a "cable assembly" between "cruise control box" & carburetor had particularly come loose, jamming cable on pulley. There seem to be a defect in the fastener for the part reattached allowing recurrence.budget @ 800 858 5377 would not record problem but told me to report to lgb budget at turned in.spoke to service personnel at nearest ford dealer, eastern sierra motors, bishop, ca who said there were other rare instances of this happening & that it was an item covered by warranty (phone 877 503 6257). Reported this to budget agent at lgb who was flippant & rude. He did not seem to care nor did I get the feeling that the item would be fixed. Time of report 0620 hrs/6 july 03 (budget was 20 minutes late opening). Agent reported his name as jock rocket (suspect this is not correct).I request that budget be contacted to have the car fixed so it will recur with a less experience driver who may be killed or injured. Also, ford should be contacted to fix this defect.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).