Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 15% |
| Suspension | 17 | 10% |
| Wheels | 12 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 5% |
| Steering | 8 | 5% |
| Power train | 8 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 5% |
| Tires | 6 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My 99 ford crown victoria lx has front end issues. I have had to replace the ball joints about 4 times every 2 to 3 months because the front end keeps dropping. I'm not sure if you guys know about this but I've spoken wi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE DASH LIGHTS SHUT OFF. THEY THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE AND A HALF. THE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY SHUT OFF AND COME BACK ON AT RANDOM. I C
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THE TURN SINGLE COMMILM IS MESSING UP.THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE PAD KEY STOP WORKING I HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO LET ME IN MY CAR ON A RAINY NITE WITH MY KIDS N TILL THIS DAY STILL DON'T WORK.I CAN'T LICK MY DOORS
NHTSA complaint: Structure
ANYTIME I PUT A HALF A TANK IN GAS IN CAR IT SMELLS BAD IN TRUCK SO WHEN THIS DOES HAPPEN I LOOK IN THE TRUCK,THERE'S THIS FOAM IN THE BACK THAT'S CO BED WITH GAS,N THE SMALL IS BAD.I DON'T LET ME KIDS IN THE GAS,NTIL IT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE CAR LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE THROUGHT THE PLASTIC MANIFOLD. WHO EVER HEARD OF A PLASTIC MANIFOLD. THE ORIGINAL PART IS A DEFECTIVE PART-MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL.FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART, IT CAUSES HAVIC CONSTANTLY N
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM WAS RECALLED AND I WAS TO RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL AS TO WHEN I COULD COME IN FOR SERVICE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THAT SAID NOTICE AND MY LIGHTS ARE NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TREAD SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALLS.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering sha
Risk: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPM
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 51 | average |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 25 of them (15%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.