1997 Ford Crown Victoria Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 8%of 288 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 8% of the 288 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“At 1:15 a.m. On december 27, 2006, I drove my 1997 Crown Victoria for aproximatly 20 miles and parked in my driveway. About an hour and thirty minutes later, I was awaken by a popping sound and the dog barking. I looked out the window to find the car's engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. I then called 911 and ran out to try to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. The heat from the fire burned through the hood on the drivers side in the area of the braking systems master cilinder, then ignited the drivers side tire and all plastic components rendering the hose inefective. …”
NHTSA complaint #10177276, filed 2006-12, 136,000 miles“The contact stated while pulling into the driveway at 5 MPH, the vehicle lurched forward and crashed into a tree without warning. Although both occupants were wearing their seat belts, minor injuries were sustained. There vehicle was totaled due to the extensive damage. The police were on the scene and a report was taken. Updated 5/10/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10156328, filed 2006-04, 85,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact had the dealer remove the speed control on the vehicle. He was informed that it would be replaced by mid december of 2007. As of february 20, 2008, the speed control has yet to be replaced. The contact is currently being informed that the part may be available in approximately may or june of 2008. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 44,000. Updated 03/11/08”
NHTSA complaint #10218618, filed 2008-02, 43,300 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicle caught fire while parked and was destroyed. A police report was filed. The fire is related to the recall for the vehicle speed control. The contact received the recall notice after the fire occurred. The vehicle had an intercepting motor and was towed. The VIN was not legible due to the fire. The engine size and recall number were unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10226168, filed 2008-04, 120,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact's vehicle caught fire. A local mechanic repaired the heater core and manifold, but now there is an oil leak. The contact received a recall notice stating that the speed control could cause a fire. The dealer stated that because the repairs were made by an unauthorized mechanic, the contact would not be reimbursed for the repairs. The failure mileage was 128,705 and current mileage was 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10220790, filed 2008-03, 98,000 milesRelated recalls
- 08V051000Feb 4, 2008Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 econoline, my 1993-1995 taurus sho, my 1992-1998 crown victoria, my 1993 bronco, f-series, my 1995-1997 f-series super…Covers: Ford Crown Victoria 1992–1998, E-150 1992–2003, Econoline 1992–2003 +10 more
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain…Covers: Ford Crown Victoria 1992–1998, E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 11 | 22% |
| 2007 | 8 | 16% |
| 2006 | 9 | 17% |
| 2005 | 11 | 6% |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% |
| 2003 | 11 | 4% |
| 2002 | 6 | 10% |
| 2001 | 5 | 9% |
| 2000 | 6 | 7% |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 23 | 8% |
| 1996 | 19 | 7% |
| 1995 | 16 | 6% |
| 1994 | 28 | 15% |
| 1993 | 32 | 18% |
| 1992 | 39 | 13% |
| 1991 | 7 | 13% |
| 1990 | 7 | 16% |
| 1989 | 11 | 15% |
| 1988 | 4 | 10% |
| 1987 | 7 | 17% |
| 1986 | 2 | 7% |
| 1985 | 4 | 19% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria
84 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsSuspension
45 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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