1998 Ford Cvpi problems

General information about Ford-Cvpi
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

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 1998 Ford Cvpi problems

The 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, a full-size sedan, is known for its durability and reliability. However, like any vehicle, it has common problems that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues, along with their causes and potential solutions:

Acceleration Problems: Owners have reported acceleration issues, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including faulty MAF sensors, clogged fuel injectors, or ignition system problems. A thorough inspection and diagnosis are necessary to identify the root cause and implement the appropriate solution.

Intake Manifold Leaks: Leaks in the intake manifold can lead to a ticking noise when the engine is cold and the smell of exhaust fumes. This issue is often caused by the original plastic intake manifold, which was prone to cracking and leaking. Upgrading to the aluminum crossover tube intake manifold is recommended.

Heater Mode Switch Failure: The heater mode switch, which controls the air conditioning functions on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, may not function properly. This can result in a lack of audible vacuum noise from the vents when the switch is turned. The issue can be caused by disconnected or faulty vacuum hoses, which should be checked and replaced if necessary.

These are some of the most common problems reported by 1998 Ford Crown Victoria owners. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent many of these issues, and addressing them promptly can help ensure the longevity and reliability 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.

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 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.

How fast can 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.

What are common Crown Vic transmission problems?

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.

Is Ford Crown Victoria a good car?

Conclusion. While the Ford Crown Victoria may have its problems, the reliability, power, and low cost of ownership make it a great option in the used car market. But of course, like any used car purchase, it's vital to do your due diligence before handing over your money.

Are Crown Vics cheap to maintain?

The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Ford Crown Victoria is $1,081, compared to an average of $590 for fullsize cars and $652 for all vehicle models.

1998 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:

Engine and engine cooling problems
Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Ford Cvpi vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1998 Ford Cvpi complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Ford Cvpi.

2007-03-12

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2006-08-01
VIN: 2FAFP71WXWX
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: IN AUGUST 2006, SECOND SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. NO WARNING, HAPPENED AT A STOP LIGHT. SUDDEN LOUD BANG STARTLED DRIVER IN NEXT LANE. DRIVER SWERVED AND RAN TWO VEHICLES OVER THE CURB. LUCKILY NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE. WAS IN A SCHOOL ZONE AT A TIME WHEN CHILDREN WERE LEAVING SCHOOL. THIS IS A POLICE INTERCEPTOR. DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE NATION DEPEND ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE TO SAVE LIVES. *JB

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2005-12-01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2004-07-15
VIN: 2FAFP71W4WX
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: 2 BLOWN SPARK PLUGS IN P71 MODEL 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AND IGNITION COILS BECAUSE SPARK PLUG BLEW RIGHT UP INTO IGNITION COIL AND DESTROYED THEM. ONE WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC AND THE OTHER WAS REPLACED BY ME. *NM

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2005-09-03

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2005-07-30
VIN: 2FAFP71W1WX
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: MY 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR WAS PURCHASED FROM A INDEPENDENT DEALER IN FEB. 2005, MICHIGAN. I HAD NO PROBLEM UNTIL JULY/AUGUST THEN HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING COOLANT. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THE FORD RECALL AND BY THIS TIME I WAS TOLD BY FORD, AND A FORD LINCOLN MERC. DEALER THAT MY WARRANTY WAS UP THREE MONTHS AGO. MY WHOLE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY FORD AND THEY REFUSED. THEIR MISTAKE BUT MY PROBLEM NOW. IS THIS A FAIR WAY TO TREAT A FORD CUSTOMER?*JB

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1998 Ford Cvpi recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1998 Ford Cvpi.

2002-10-15

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 1998 Ford Cvpi problems:

Top 5 Problems Ford Crown Victoria Sedan 2nd Gen 1998-2012 ...

I'm considering buying a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ...

https://www.quora.com/Im-considering-buying-a-Ford-Crown-Victoria-Police-Interceptor-How-reliable-are-these-vehicles-What-are-some-common-issues-I-should-look-out-for-And-what-is-their-generally-accepted-lifespan

Nov 1, 2019 ... How reliable are these vehicles? What are some common issues I should look out for? And what is their generally accepted lifespan?