2001 Ford Crown Victoria Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 model year most often describe fuel tank leaks and fire concerns, along with driver-side airbags that did not deploy in crashes. Other common reports are steering that wanders, shakes or feels loose, engine shutdowns or sudden power loss, and unexpected acceleration in parking lots. Mileage is often not stated, and some reports come from police or fleet use.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank leaks, filler problems, and fire concerns

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 67,727 mi at 5.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2008

   Owners describe fuel leaking from the tank or filler area, including fuel that drained back out after filling and leaks onto a hot exhaust. Some worry about the tank catching fire in collisions. Some complaints say a tank shield was added at the owner's expense, since the protection was reported only for police vehicles, and a fleet operator says filler gaskets were replaced while parts for the last car were on backorder. Mileage is often not given, and where it is listed the cars range from lower to high mileage.

   Recall 03V4720001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the high-speed rear impact fuel system upgrade listed for certain states, or any tank shield work, has been done, and check the records for filler gasket repairs. The listed recall covers certain natural gas vehicles, so confirm with the dealer whether it applies to a gasoline model.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We are concerned to drive our crown vic because of the alleged fuel tank problems. We live in phoenix, az, and in the past three years four police officers have been either killed or severly injured due to collisions that resulted in the fuel tank catching fire. We would like to know what Ford motor co. Plans to do about this. Is our crown vic safe to drive? If not, what do we need to do? If we retrofit the gas tank right now, we will void our warrenty. We are in a quandry as to what to do.”

   NHTSA complaint #763204, filed 2002-06

   “The consumer was concerned about the gas tank shield being installed in police vehicles and not regular consumer vehicles. The fuel tank shield was installed at the consumer's expense.”

   NHTSA complaint #10024655, filed 2003-06, 15,455 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy, mostly on the driver side

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 0.8 yrs old
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2002

   Owners describe crashes in which the airbags did not deploy, and in most of these reports the driver-side airbag stayed inactive while the passenger airbag deployed. Some report the shoulder belt also failed to restrain the driver. Complaints say the reason for the failure was not determined, and that the dealer did not help investigate in some cases. Mileage is usually not given, so these reports describe crash events rather than a mileage pattern.

   Recall 00V412000

   What to check: Ask whether the restraint control module recall work has been completed, and check the airbag warning light at start-up for any stored fault. Prior crash repair and airbag replacement records can also be requested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling between 10 to 20 MPH vehicle was driven off the road, and front of vehicle struck a tree, causing damage to front end and frame. Passengers air bag deployed, but drivers air bag failed to deploy. No determination has been made as to the reason for this failure.”

   NHTSA complaint #898547, filed 2001-10

   “The consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle when the ABS locked while trying to stop, the consumer believes the ABS never pulsated and resulted in an accident, althought the drivers side of the vehicle sustained major damage only the passenger side air bag deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #561163, filed 2001-05
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering wanders, shakes, or feels loose

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 187,000 mi at 15.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2021

   Owners describe the steering wheel wandering from side to side on the highway, shaking at higher speeds, or feeling loose. Some report creaking or play in the steering shaft that seemed close to failing, and a drivebelt that came off in standing water, leading to loss of steering and engine overheating. According to complaints, the dealer sometimes could not duplicate the wandering, and a complaint links it to an accident. Mileage is often not given, and where listed the reports involve high-mileage cars; some describe the wandering during highway driving.

   What to check: Ask whether any steering, drivebelt, or shaft repairs are recorded, and during a test drive check for wander, play, or vibration at highway speed. A visual check of the steering shaft and drive belt can also be requested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering shaft is creaking when you turn and alotta play in the steering sounds like it's about to snap it happens in the city and highway when I turn or bear left or right the pic the shaft thing on the left is a picture of the part happens when I'm in motion and even when I'm stationary and I turn the steering wheel has not caused a wreck yet but feels like it would if that part brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #11282577, filed 2019-11, 194,000 miles

   “The steering wheel wanders from left to right while driving on the highway. Driver took vehicle to the dealership,but mechanic could not duplicate the problem at this time. Driver had an accident last month due to this problem. But he was able to control the vehicle to safety, there were no physical injuries nor fatalities to report.”

   NHTSA complaint #10044131, filed 2003-10
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine shutdowns or sudden loss of power while driving

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 162,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2015

   Owners describe the engine shutting off while driving at varied speeds, with restarts sometimes needing a short wait. Reports also describe a sudden loss of power, including a case linked to an overheated plastic intake manifold that leaked coolant, and spark plugs blowing out of the cylinder head. An intermittent miss is described before shutdowns in some cases, and the power steering and brakes are described as nearly useless during a shutdown. According to complaints, the dealer could not replicate some intermittent problems. Mileage is often not given, and where listed the reports range from lower to high-mileage cars.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the spark plug thread repair or the intake manifold extended coverage program has been done, and check for stored misfire or coolant-related fault codes. A pre-purchase scan for stored codes and a test drive at varied speeds can show whether the engine keeps running normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my 2001 Ford Crown Victoria lx 4.6l v8 on may 23rd, I heard a loud boom from under the hood and a sudden loss of power. I took it to a mechanic and he said that the number 3 spark plug had blown out of the cylinder head. He charged me over 250.00 to fix it. He said that he sees this same thing on this particular motor about 8 times per year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10160586, filed 2006-06, 166,000 miles

   “While driving the car, I lost power and had to pull over, upon checking under the hood, we came to the conclusion that the intake manifold (which is plastic) got to hot which caused antifreeze to leak out. I ended up having to have it towed to my house which is where it has set since.”

   NHTSA complaint #10672712, filed 2015-01
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration, often in parking lots

   Mentioned in 4 of 44 sampled complaints

   Owners describe sudden acceleration when pulling into a parking lot or starting the car, sometimes with both feet on the brake. Some report the car would not stop and struck another vehicle or a guard post. Other reports describe acceleration at highway speed that stopped after the engine was shut off and restarted, and revving on startup that continued after an idle control valve was replaced. Mileage is often not given, and most descriptions involve low-speed maneuvers such as pulling into a parking space.

   What to check: Ask whether any cruise control recall or idle-related repair in the service history has been completed. During a test drive, check that the engine idles and accelerates smoothly when starting and when pulling into a parking space.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While pulling into a parking lot the car accelerated and I missed a parked car and was able to stop. I was going about 5mph and it accelerated very fast not sure MPH but it was scary. I happened sept. 14, 2011.”

   NHTSA complaint #10426607, filed 2011-09, 36,570 miles

   “On one occasion it accelerated while driving at about 70 MPH and had to be turned completely and restarted and the problem was cured no accident happened at that time. The second time it occurred when driving into a parkiing lot, and it accelerated and ran into a guard post. Time. The second time turning into a parking lot and it.”

   NHTSA complaint #762060, filed 2002-05

Buying note. Prospective buyers may want to confirm whether fuel tank, restraint control module and fuel system upgrade work has been completed, and whether steering or engine repairs are recorded. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a steering and suspension check and a scan for stored engine codes can help clarify the vehicle's condition.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 44 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.