Hydraulic line to rear brake failed (ruptured) causing immediate release of brake fluid underneath driver front floor pan at location of interest mentioned in recall/"safety improvement program". Owner was not contacted regarding notice which includes inspection of brake lines, replacement of clips (to avoid wear) and possible replacement of brake line and bleeding if needed.
Ford Crown Victoria brake failure problems
56 of the 2,855 owner complaints about the Ford Crown Victoria describe brake failure, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 56
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 78,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 6Sudden acceleration 2Fire or smoke 2Grinding brakes 2Transmission failure 1Overheating 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
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.
Air bag passive restraint system default alarm light and alarm sound goes off when driving down the highway. This happened randomly multiple times over a period of 6-18 months. Sometimes I find blown fuses, other times analytical tools suggest bad passive restraint ground. Currently unknown condition and unknown if air bag system actually works. Car has experienced dozens of failures like this, directional failures, parking brake failure, gas cut off failure, cooling fan failure, paint failure, remote mirror failure, window control switch failure, defrost failure, heat control failure, ignition failure, and many more. Passive restraint system failure is just one of the many I have been perplexed by. Of all the failures, ford only accepted the gas shut off failure. I can not afford to keep the automobile operating.
I bought ford victoria crown model 2005 from an individual on dec. 2009. It was police car. After I bought the car within a months time I hit another vehicle. I lost control and the brake didn't work. It didn't stop by hitting once, it was amazing hitting back again and again. My car or even the other car didn't have any body damage and after 1 hour I started driving and on my way home the same thing happened. I got out of the road but no accident. I took the car to the garage and I paid $800.00 for the maintenance. I used the car for a taxi cab. Again I have another problem with this car. I had to take a customer to the airport and before I got there, smoke was coming out and I stopped the car in the airport garage. This time it became completely out of service and I had the vehicle towed to the garage. The result as the mechanic tested said the transmission is totally out of use and need another one. Again two months back while driving I lost control of the brake and stop out of the road. Recently on sunday dec. 19, 2010 major accident happened. While driving I couldn't control the brake and the vehicle accelerated on its own. So, I hit the fence on the road and the vehicle was damaged. The vehicle was towed to the garage and when the mechanic tested he couldn't find anything, even he did a road test. I was advised this vehicle is dangerous if I start driving . I can submit all my expenses which I paid for the maintenance if possible. Thanks to a friend who gave me information to check online if this vehicle model is recall . Updated 01/03/11
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and attempting to decelerate, the brakes failed. The vehicle was put into neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the brake line was corroded. The brake line was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the antilock braking system continued to lock while driving various speeds. An independent mechanic investigated the failure and found that the braking hardware separated and the emergency brake failure affected the axle. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 94v152000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components). The current and failure mileages were less than 76,000.
Ford crown victoria rusted oil pan and brake failure. Customer states the brakes failed while backing out of a parking space. The oil pan rusted and was removed and replaced on a maintenance service. *kb updated 12/12/07 *bf when the brakes failed, fluid was dripping from under the left/center body. The dealer informed the consumer the brake line was enclosed in the frame channel and the body would have to be lifted in order to make the repair. *jb updated 12/12/07
I have a 2003 ford crown victoria with a 4.6l v8 and automatic transmission. In the last 44,000 miles I have had two rear axle failures that necessitated the replacement of the axle shafts, seals etc. The first failure was at 57,902 mi and was covered under warranty. The second at 102,753mi - 44,851 miles. I have found that ford does have a recall on these vehicles but will not cover my vehicle as it is not a taxi/police/fleet vehicle. I am nearly 60, drive mostly freeway and country roads, do not race anyone, do not tow anything and work to get the best gas mileage I can from my car. I drive it gently. I have had the rear axle serviced per the schedule and it was only about 3,000 miles after my last axle service that this new failure occurred. I saw fluid all over the wheel well and upon removing the tire saw fluid coming out of the hub area. Thinking it was an emergency brake failure took it to a certified shop and found out it was the axle seals going and the axle shaft deteriorating. This was a $458.31 repair that I feel should not have been necessary. My axle has failed at 57kmi and 44kmn later. I have read on the web of numerous individuals who have had rear axles go and that some of these caused accidents. I was lucky both times because I have been working on cars for over 40 years as a hobby and watch my cars carefully. I feel fords position of using only VIN numbers, rather that incidents, is a danger to the general public and an obvious safety issue.
The brake fluid in my 1995 ford crown victoria had to be topped off last week. The red brake light came on indicating the fluid was low. After filling the fluid and driving the car, the pedal felt a little on the soft side, but no light. On my way to work today, I was 2 miles from home and went to apply the brakes. I had no brakes whatsoever. The pedal did have some feel to it, but there was absolutely no brakes. Luckily, I veered off the road avoiding a collision with a car, and had to downshift the car to get it to slow down. After getting the car to 5 or so MPH, I shifted into reverse to stop the car, then park. The red brake light never came on and I had no warning of the failed brakes. After inspection, I found both brake lines to be rusted out on the drivers side frame rail. All brake lines on the car were inspected and are extremely rusty. The car is inoperable and has not been repaired as of yet.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with antilock brake systems (ABS) fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." the front and rear right side brake lines may be reversed at the ABS hydraulic control unit.
- Risk
- The brakes may not operate as intended, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake line connections and the hydraulic control unit and reposition them free of charge. The recallbegan on april 27, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 07V183000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles built with electronic traction control, the rear brake line may chafe due to contact between it and a floor pan stiffening rib, and a brake fluid leak may occur.
- Risk
- The brake pedal may develop a "spongy" feel and drops of brake fluid may be observed beneath the vehicle. Over time brake performance may be compromised and stopping distances could be extended which could lead to a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the subject vehicles for contact between the brake tube and floor pan stiffening rib. If contact is evident, but no abrasion or leaks exist, the brake tube will be repositioned to preclude further contact and potential abrasion. If indication of abrasion or a leak is evident, dealers will repair the brake line. This campaign began on july 15, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 05V086000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
- What is wrong
- The nuts and bolts that attach the rear brake adaptor to the axle housing flange can loosen and eventually separate. If one or more of the nuts come off the bolts, damage to the parking brake assembly or to the antilock brake system (ABS) sensor and sensor ring (if so equipped) will occur. If all four nuts on one end of the axle come off the bolts, damage to the brake hydraulic line or the parking brake cable can occur.
- Risk
- Occurrence of any of these conditions can result in a loss of braking capability and possible accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if needed, install new bolts. If any of the fasteners are disconnected, the parking brake and ABS components will be inspected and serviced.
Recall number 94V152000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The rear brake lines have inadequate clearance between the brake tube and the vehicle underbody in the area of the left rear wheel opening.
- Risk
- Inadequate clearance can cause abrasion of the brake lineand a leak can develop, resulting in loss of brake fluid to the rear brakesystem and increased stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Repair any brake lines that have an indication of contact or have the potential for contact with the body of the vehicle. Relocate lines, if necessary.
Recall number 92V075000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Crown Victoria brake failure
Which Ford Crown Victoria years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (19 complaints), 1993 (8 complaints) and 1995 (8 complaints).
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