1996 Ford Crown Victoria Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 276 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, 4% of the 276 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 vehicle has many more problems that are not listed and they started shortly after purchase. I have all the records with correct dates, times, mileages, and etc. Of all the problems. I would be more than happy to mail you copies of everything about my vehicle. Please feel free to contact me. // I used a family members computer to send in this complaint form so please contact me by mail or telephone. Thank you for your time and concern in this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #706401, filed 1999-05“Intake manifold has cracked, allowing water to leak and spray into alternator and destroy it. Manifold needs to be replaced. Also overheating caused transmission to fail, when the manifold leaked out all the coolant, there was no indication of it, because the temperature sensor does not register unless its in liquid.”
NHTSA complaint #888621, filed 2001-05“While driving vehicle engine stalled and fluid was coming from the bottom. Then, vehicle was towed to a near dealer, where they found out that there was a crack on intake manifold. Also, there was a recall, but did not include this vehicle due to VIN and mileage over the warranty. Vehicle was had also overheated, mechanic found the front of the plastic intake manifold was cracked badly at manufacturing seam and stated that this was a factory defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #893586, filed 2001-08“Speedometer occasionally fails to register speed when starting from standing stop.when this occurs it usually returns the speed read-out when approx. 35 MPH is reached.Ford tested car by driving on road for 3 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #705731, filed 1999-04Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 | 9% |
| 2009 | 7 | 16% |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% |
| 2007 | 3 | 6% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 7% |
| 2004 | 5 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 10% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% |
| 1999 | 9 | 7% |
| 1998 | 8 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 2% |
| 1996 | 11 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 5% |
| 1994 | 22 | 11% |
| 1993 | 43 | 24% |
| 1992 | 33 | 11% |
| 1991 | 6 | 11% |
| 1990 | 3 | 7% |
| 1989 | 5 | 7% |
| 1988 | 3 | 7% |
| 1987 | 4 | 10% |
| 1986 | 1 | 4% |
| 1985 | 2 | 10% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria
81 complaintsSuspension
51 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 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 Oct 31, 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