After driving 30 miles, I parked the car in the driveway at my home. Approximately 10 minutes later, I was informed that the car was on fire under the engine hood. I attempted to unlatch the hood but was unable to due to the unlatch cable being destroyed by the fire. The fire had melted a big hole in the hood at the left rear corner and had destroyed the windshield in the same area. I was only able to extinguish the fire by using a water hose and squirting the water through the melted hole in the hood hole. I believe that the cruise control had leaked fluid on the engine in the area of the left rear spark plug and had started the fire which had melted all the components in the area on the firewall area. The cruise control was inoperable during my previous drive.
Ford Crown Victoria adaptive cruise problems
62 of the 2,855 owner complaints about the Ford Crown Victoria describe adaptive cruise control problems, most of them for the 1993 model year.
- owner complaints
- 62
- worst model year
- 1993
- typical mileage
- 98,000
By model year
Often reported together
Fire or smoke 8Sudden acceleration 4Airbag light 2Wipers 1Pulling 1
What owners say
Steering wheel is loose, feels like it could come. Air bag light is on, cruise controlnot working correctly. All these things are safety related and should be fixed. I think steering wheel should be repaired free of charge, since it's a major problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford crown victoria. While driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The contact mentioned that the brakes failed to engage. In order to stop the vehicle, the ignition key had to be turned to the off position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not inspected or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 88,000.
*brake light switch replaced every few thousand miles, resulting gear shift to be stuck in park. *cruise control disabled.
1998 ford crown victoria. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle cruise control failure. *smd the consumer stated for the second time, the cruise control failed.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed. In addition, the horn failed. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v051000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the cruise control would not deactivate when the brakes were depressed and would accelerate instead. The dealer was contacted and they informed him that they would return his call within a few days. The manufacturer was contacted but would not assist due to the age of the vehicle. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 103,500. Updated 08/10/11*lj the consumer stated when the cruise control was activated, the vehicle would accelerate instead of decelerate when the brake was applied. Updated 08/12/11
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact was driving approximately between 60 to 70 MPH and engaged the cruise control; however, the cruise control would not operate. The failure occurred after the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v051000, vehicle speed control cruise control. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they refused to correct the failure. The contact stated that the cruise control was functional before the recall remedy repair was performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 51,717. Updated 09/28/10 *bf the consumer also stated the air bag light illuminated after the cruise control was inspected. Updated 10/01/10
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that after the repair for recall 08v051000, vehicle speed control, cruise control was performed, the odometer and speedometer stopped working while driving 30 MPH. The dealer stated that the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The contact paid to have the speedometer repaired. The failure mileage was 42,730 and the current mileage was unknown.
1997 ford crown victoria cruise control problem *cw the consumer received a recall notice in the mail regarding the speed control deactivation switch. He went to the dealer to have the replacement part installed which only took a few minutes. While driving, the consumer decided to test the cruise control and soon discovered the cruise control did not work. The cruise on light never came on. After the part was installed, the mechanic did not take the vehicle for a test drive. The consumer immediately turned around and drove back to the dealer. The consumer was informed he would have to pay $87.00 for the diagnostic because the trouble shooting/diagnostic was not authorized/covered by the recall. The consumer stated the cruise control was working perfectly before the replacement part was installed.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Ford Crown Victoria adaptive cruise
Which Ford Crown Victoria years have adaptive cruise control problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1993 (11 complaints), 1997 (11 complaints) and 1992 (9 complaints).
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