1997 Ford Cvpi problems
The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (colloquially referred to as the CVPI, P71, or P7B) is a four-door, body-on-frame sedan that was manufactured by Ford from 1992 to 2011. It is the police car version of the Ford Crown Victoria and was the first vehicle to use the Ford Police Interceptor name.
From 1997 to 2013, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was the most widely used automobile in law enforcement fleets in North America, namely the United States, Canada and Mexico. It was also used for this purpose on a more limited scale in other regions, such as Europe and the Middle East.
History
After the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice, the Ford Motor Company held a near-monopoly on the market for police vehicles in the United States and Canada for over a decade. The conventional rear-wheel drive, V8 power, and body-on-frame construction were considered advantageous for police use. The body-on-frame construction allowed inexpensive repairs after collisions without the need to straighten the chassis. Rear-wheel drive was deemed better for hard maneuvers and more robust than the front-wheel-drive competition for rough driving over curbs and other obstacles in the urban environment.
Although CVPIs were not sold directly to the general public by the manufacturer, they were widely available in North America as used vehicles after being decommissioned. The cars were in demand by taxi companies and others who wanted a safe, durable, and/or inexpensive car, and those who needed a car with a large back seat.
The CVPI came equipped with many heavy-duty parts, such as a revised transmission, and a 186 kW (253 PS; 249 hp) engine. Used versions are normally stripped of any police decals, equipment, police radios, and emergency lights before being sold or auctioned to the public.
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Common 1997 Ford Cvpi problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI), several common problems have been reported:
- Ignition System: Owners have reported issues with the ignition system. This can manifest as difficulty starting the vehicle, misfiring, or stalling. Problems with the ignition system can lead to poor engine performance and reliability.
- Mass Airflow Sensor: Another common problem is related to the mass airflow sensor. Issues with this component can cause the vehicle to run too lean or too rich, resulting in erratic idle, low power, and difficulties accelerating smoothly.
- EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) System: Complaints have been made about the EGR system. Carbon buildup in the EGR valve or pressure sensor can lead to engine performance issues, including rough idling, decreased fuel efficiency, and potential emissions problems.
- Transmission: Transmission problems have been reported by owners of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. These issues can include slipping gears, rough shifting, or complete transmission failure, impacting the vehicle's drivability and overall performance.
- Steering Shaft: Owners have also experienced problems with the steering shaft. Issues with the steering shaft can result in steering wheel vibrations, clunking noises when turning, or difficulty steering, which can compromise the safety and handling of the vehicle.
These common problems with the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor can affect the vehicle's reliability, performance, and safety. Regular maintenance and prompt attention to these issues can help ensure the longevity and optimal functioning of the vehicle.
How reliable are Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor?
For decades, this ride has been synonymous with power and reliability. Within police work, the Crown Victoria has served as the definitive police car in many parts of the United States. Today, you're still likely to find this car being used as a reliable commuter or as a budget-friendly first car for teenagers.
How many miles is a Crown Vic good for?
Anything can happen at any age or mileage, but generally speaking, the 4.6 OHC modular engine as installed in most Crown Vics, Grand Marquis, and Town Cars are good for a minimum of 300K miles with an oil change every 6K miles.
What are common Crown Vic transmission problems?
Slipping, Erratic Shifting, Harsh Forward or Reverse Gear Engagement: Some of the most common 4R75E / 4R75W transmission problems are slipping between gears, erratic up or down shifts, or a hard slam when the 4R75E / 4R75W transmission engages Drive or Reverse.
How fast does a CVPI go?
The 2004–2011 Police Interceptors are equipped standard with an open 3.27:1 rear axle (axle code Z5), with a traction-lock (Trac-Lok) 3.27:1 rear axle (axle code X5) optional, and are electronically limited to 129 mph (208 km/h) due to critical drive-line speed limitations.
How reliable are Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor?
For decades, this ride has been synonymous with power and reliability. Within police work, the Crown Victoria has served as the definitive police car in many parts of the United States. Today, you're still likely to find this car being used as a reliable commuter or as a budget-friendly first car for teenagers.
What engine is in a CVPI?
4.6 L 2V SOHC V8
Comparison with standard Crown Victoria. Both cars use the same 4.6 L 2V SOHC V8 (both Flex Fuel starting in 2008), Ford modular engine, and Ford four-speed automatic transmission.
What are common Crown Vic transmission problems?
Slipping, Erratic Shifting, Harsh Forward or Reverse Gear Engagement: Some of the most common 4R75E / 4R75W transmission problems are slipping between gears, erratic up or down shifts, or a hard slam when the 4R75E / 4R75W transmission engages Drive or Reverse.
How long do Crown Vic engines last?
Anything can happen at any age or mileage, but generally speaking, the 4.6 OHC modular engine as installed in most Crown Vics, Grand Marquis, and Town Cars are good for a minimum of 300K miles with an oil change every 6K miles.
1997 Ford Cvpi car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Cvpi problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Ford Cvpi vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Ford Cvpi complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Ford Cvpi.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-09-03
- VIN: 2FALP71W0VX
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING GOT REALLY STIFF. I COULD NOT KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER. I HAD IT TOWED IN AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR CAUSE IT WILL NOT LET ME CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I SEE WHERE FORD HAS RECALLED 2005-2011 MODELS SHOULD BE ON BACK. THE MECHANIC SAID IT ITS NOT THE FIRST ONE HE HAS CHANGED AND THEY ARE VERY PRICEY. *JB
1997 Ford Cvpi recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1997 Ford Cvpi.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
- Summary: IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.
- Consequence: SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.
- Remedy: FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Ford Cvpi problems:
1997 Ford Crown Victoria Problems and Complaints - 9 Issues
Problem with your 1997 Ford Crown Victoria? Our list of 9 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1997 Ford Crown Victoria.
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