This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Ford Crown Victoria rusted oil pan and brake failure. Customer states the brakes failed while backing out of a parking space. The oil pan rusted and was removed and replaced on a maintenance service. Updated 12/12/07 when the brakes failed, fluid was dripping from under the left/center body. The dealer informed the consumer the brake line was enclosed in the frame channel and the body would have to be lifted in order to make the repair. Updated 12/12/07
The brake fluid in my 1995 Ford Crown Victoria had to be topped off last week. The red brake light came on indicating the fluid was low. After filling the fluid and driving the car, the pedal felt a little on the soft side, but no light. On my way to work today, I was 2 miles from home and went to apply the brakes. I had no brakes whatsoever. The pedal did have some feel to it, but there was absolutely no brakes. Luckily, I veered off the road avoiding a collision with a car, and had to downshift the car to get it to slow down. After getting the car to 5 or so mph, I shifted into reverse to stop the car, then park. The red brake light never came on and I had no warning of the failed brakes. After inspection, I found both brake lines to be rusted out on the drivers side frame rail. All brake lines on the car were inspected and are extremely rusty. The car is inoperable and has not been repaired as of yet.
Brake line rusted through causing rear brakes to fail. The brake line piping should either be made of stainless steel, or coated with a rust preventative, or shielded in some way so water/snow/road salt can not get between it and the frame of the car, causing it to rust through. This isn't rocket science !!!!!!!!
: the contact stated while driving the vehicle at 8 mph, the brake light illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal. There were no brakes; the vehicle was driven home without any brakes. Upon inspection of the master cylinder the brake fluid was 3/4 empty. The vehicle was inspected further and the problem was the tubing that holds the brake fluid was corroded and cracked, causing the fluid to leak out. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 2/13/2006 -
While the vehicle was in the repair shop to have its tires rotated the mechanic informed and showed the consumer that all the metal brake lines were corroded, and needed to be replaced.
Consumer applied brakes at 35 mph and the pedal went to the floor, no braking action. Mechanic (friesmill auto repair) determined that the rear brake line had ruptured. Rear brake lines were repaired. Referenced in RQ03-004
Consumer has had this ABS problem for over 3 years. When the brakes are applied they make a horrifying grinding & rubbing sound. Dealer says the only remedy is to replace the brake line.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Livonia, MI, USA