NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA02025

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES: Engine And Engine Cooling

CLOSED

no recall issued

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- Based on the low rate of fire incidents (2.5 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold) where failure of the scds is involved and the age of the vehicles ¿ 7 to 11 years ¿ a safety-related defect trend has not been identified and further use of Agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the Agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report. Investigation was initiated on September 06 2002. Closed on June 30 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA02025 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #SQ01014

POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage

RECALL »

Recall #02I003000

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- Allege fuel tank can rupture following a high-energy rear collision resulting in severe fires. Investigation was initiated on November 27 2001. Closed on October 03 2002. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #SQ01014 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA03001

CNG TANK EXPLOSION: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

RECALL »

Recall #03V472000

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- In September 2002, a fuel cylinder in a natural gas powered vehicle (ngv) exploded during a fire.Ford and VRTC test engineers jointly examined the incident vehicle and reviewed testing to determine whether the performance of the pressure relief valve (PRD) was proper.the purpose of a PRD is to protect a compressed natural gas tank from overpressure by allowing the CNG to vent when the temperature reaches a specific point.the PRD was removed from the failed tank and subjected to a yield temperature determination test. It was concluded that a direct flame (from the interior of the vehicle) onto the cylinder (located behind the rear seat in the trunk)compromised the hoop strength of the natural gas cylinder, thus allowing the cylinder to fail prior to the PRD releasing at itsdesigned temperature.as a result of this testing and review of the involved vehicle, Ford has developed an insulator to insulate the natural gas fuel tank from a locally directed flame projecting from the interior of the vehicle.insulators will be installed behind the back seat on subject vehicles to prevent future failures of this type. Ford's action addresses the concerns of ODI.therefore, this investigation is closed. Investigation was initiated on January 27 2003. Closed on November 19 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA03001 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE02071

CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE: Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

CLOSED

no recall issued

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- An explosion of a compressed natural gas (CNG) tank should not be able to occur, as the tank is fitted with a pressure relief device (PRD). This PRD should release the CNG in the tank, prior to the pressure reaching the tank burst pressure.the PRD did not release in the subject Wisconsin police cruiser explosion.NHTSA has recovered the PRD valve from the tank that exploded and testing will be necessary to establish why this tank safety valve did not release in the very high temperature fire that occurred in the police cruiser.there is only the single known event, but due to the catastropic force of such an explosion and the potential for injury and loss of life, this investigation is being upgraded. Investigation was initiated on October 01 2002. Closed on January 27 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE02071 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE98041

FRONT SEAT ANCHOR BOLT FAILURE: Seats

CLOSED

no recall issued

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- Alleged that the outboard-forward, front seat anchor bolt boss fractures through the vehicle floor pan, causing the front seat to lean sharply back Investigation was initiated on July 23 1998. Closed on September 29 1998. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE98041 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA03012

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE: Service Brakes, Hydraulic**

RECALL »

Recall #05V086000

** This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- In a letter dated February 25, 2005, Ford motor company (Ford) notified ODI that it would be conducting a customer satisfaction program (Ford no. 04B26) to correct a rear brake line chafing concern in approximately 44,000 model year (MY) 1997 Ford Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis non-fleet vehicles equipped with electronic traction control that werebuilt after March 19, 1997.these vehicles have an additional rear brake line and a mastic patch causing reduced clearance from a stiffening rib in the floor pan.ODI¿S analysis showed higher complaint and warranty rates related to rear brake line failures in this population than in other subject vehicles and peer mid-sized passenger cars that were evaluated during the investigation.vehicles involved in Ford¿S program will have the rear brake lines inspected for contact with the floor pan stiffing rib.if there is contact, but no abrasion or leakage, the brake lines will be repositioned.if there is abrasion or a leak is evident the brake line will be repaired.if necessary, both of the rear brake lines will be replaced. Though Ford does not admit to a safety-defect in the subject components, ODI believes that the facts in this investigation show otherwise because the insufficient clearance in the routing of those brake lines may result in leaks in those lines that may result in increased stopping distances.ODI is designating the campaign a safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 05V-086).because of the low rates of brake line failures in the remaining subject vehicles, a safety-related defect has not been identified in those populations and further use of Agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists in those vehicles.the Agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report. Investigation was initiated on July 25 2003. Closed on April 11 2005. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA03012 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #RQ03004

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings**

CLOSED

no recall issued

** This defect investigation is filed under 4 related vehicle components.
1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- ODI has received 40 complaints alleging rear brake line failure in the subject vehicles, including 8 that have been received this year.an additional 192 reports and 478 warranty claims have been received from Ford.a leak in the rear brake line can cause extended stopping distance.a search of ODI's complaint database for peer vehicle complaints, using the same brake line failure criteria as for the subject vehicles and the same model years (1995-97), identified only 1 complaint involving General Motors caprice/implala/88/98/regal vehicles and only 2 complaints involving Chrysler LH-cars.the investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to further evaluate the frequency, scope, and causal factors related to rear brake line failures in the subject vehicle population. Investigation was initiated on March 11 2003. Closed on July 25 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ03004 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE98045

BALL JOINT FAILURE: Steering

RECALL »

Recall #98V322000

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- Alleged that the front suspension may collapse due to failure of the lower control arm ball joint and cause a loss of vehicle control Investigation was initiated on August 13 1998. Closed on December 18 1998. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE98045 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #RQ03002

BALL JOINT SEPARATION: Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint

CLOSED

no recall issued

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- See attached report. Investigation was initiated on January 03 2003. Closed on June 03 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ03002 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #DP02007

FUEL-FED FIRES: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages

CLOSED

no recall issued

1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA -- The fars data shows that the risk of fire from impact in all directions in the subject vehicles is the same as all other sedans.the subject vehicles are not over represented with respect to the risk of fire in real-world high-energy crashes.a further discussion of issues related to post crash fires in the subject vehicles is set out in the closing report for sq 01-014 and that report is in the docket for this petition.after reviewing the petition and its supporting materials, as well as information furnished by Ford and GM, and information within the Agency's possession from previous investigations and other related actions,NHTSA has concluded that futher investigation concerning post-crash fires in the subject vehicles is not likely to lead to a decision that the vehicles contain a safety defect. Investigation was initiated on August 22 2002. Closed on December 04 2002. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP02007 »