1996 Ford Crown Victoria Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 11%of 276 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,770miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, 11% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,770 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The brake line from the ABS pump to the right front brake rusted through which resulted in the loss of all fluid in the master cylinder. Further inspection found the two rear brake lines also severely rusted. The location of the failure and the extensively rusted rear lines was directly under the master cylinder, on top of the chassis rail.”
NHTSA complaint #10100710, filed 2004-11, 78,786 miles“Brakes failed. Driver noticed brake fluid leak and added brake fluid to get the car back to our residence. A review of the brake lines showed corrosion and leakage in the brake line only. All of the other lines and the under carriage show no corrosion at all. This is indicative of a defect in the material used for the brake line. This incident could have been more serious, possibly causing injuries or deaths if it were not for the actions of the driver.”
NHTSA complaint #10020967, filed 2003-06, 29,510 miles“First I would like to say that what I hear about the grand marquis having problem with the fuel tank is rather disturbing to me I am aware now that these cars are capable of catching on fire if hit from behind. I carry three small children to school every morning in "this car" I have contacted the Ford corp. About this problem and they seem to not be bothered about this fact. Now to my other problems. I have just replaced my intake manifold because the one that came with the car cracked while I was driving it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069858, filed 2004-01“Problem involves NHTSA recalls 98i001000 and 98v322000. Dealer and Ford say my car does not have these problems. I do not want to take the chance of having my steering control fail, or having my brakes fail. Please help. Also, the transmission has an extremely long shift from first to second. Ford has a TSB on this, and states this will not affect the transmission,but it will shorten the life and lead to possbile accumulator bore scuffing. Thanks!”
NHTSA complaint #703492, filed 1999-02“The contact owns a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The brake reservoir caught fire and caused the driver side emergency brake to fail. The failure also caused the wheels to lock. The manufacturer advised the contact to call his insurance company for a claim. The vehicle was parked at the time of the fire. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10226322, filed 2008-04, 150,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 8% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 7 | 12% |
| 2001 | 6 | 11% |
| 2000 | 6 | 7% |
| 1999 | 15 | 11% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 57 | 20% |
| 1996 | 31 | 11% |
| 1995 | 33 | 13% |
| 1994 | 24 | 13% |
| 1993 | 25 | 14% |
| 1992 | 74 | 24% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 5 | 12% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria
81 complaintsSuspension
51 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology