The cat-converters blew up.
The fuel pump died.
Transmission would shift rough, and bang and clank through gears.
Auto windows were moody and only worked when they felt like it.
The car had a good size oil leak.
Broken blend door actuator and AC unit.
Numerous electrical issues.
I bought my 96 Crown Victoria in 2007. It looked really cool because it was an ex-cop car.
The car drove fine for about four months and then everything just began to break.
The check engine light was on, and when I took it to a shop they said that the cat-converters were shot, and that it would cost about 1500 bucks to replace (car had four cats).
Around Xmas, whenever I turned on the defroster, the turn signal fuse blew, and eventually the high-beams quit working too.
The A/C was totally non-existent, which made driving in the summer tedious.
The auto windows were temperamental and the car burned as much oil as it did gas.
The fuel economy was pathetic, a military tank does better on gas.
Its only redeeming quality was that it was very fast and people moved out of my way.
The car didn't even last a year. Very disappointing considering it was "Built to Last". What a joke.
Keep in mind, your car was previously used by the police. They don't exactly drive their cars gently... Try a civilian model next time, it will likely last a lot longer.
I'm sorry about your problems, Crown Victoria's run 16 hour days for 5 years or more, the air conditioner is run endlessly. When cars are taken out of service they sometimes just cut certain wires instead of disconnecting equipment. These are the most under rated cars on the market.
If you get a police surplus Crown Vic, try and find one used in a small town police department or by a high ranking officer who drove it home every night. The ones that were driven 100k in 2 years are probably going to give you problems, no matter how well they were maintained.
I bought a 1996 Interceptor from the local Fraternal Order of Police. It was never placed in service and had none of the holes or seat wear issues (where the cop's equipment belt, pistol, mace, etc. rubs holes in the upholstery). They just used it to drive to meetings. I drove it for four years and loved every minute of it. Got over 25 mpg on the highway and 16-17 around town. Great acceleration and enormous trunk room. A five star crash rated car. The back seat does not have as much leg room as you might expect and the vinyl seats are cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
I bought it for $5k and sold it for $1800. I put new brake pads, new tires and a fuel pump on it in 4 years and 50k miles. Pretty routine stuff.
Would I buy another one? Hell, yes. But, I'll shop carefully and get one that was not abused. These are solid, safe cars.
I bought my 96 Crown Victoria in 2006. It is an ex-highway patrol car that had 92000 miles on it when I got it that’s less than 10000 miles a year; it currently has 185000 on it and still fly’s.
Your check engine light was on most likely because your fuel injectors are faulty and leaking, I did a tune-up (new wires and plugs) and replaced my injectors and then reset the check engine light, and now after 35000+ miles, the light has not come back on. I never did have to change out the cats.
My fuel economy was real bad before the tune up, I wasn’t even getting 18 hwy, but last summer I drove to Los Angeles and averaged 24.5 per gallon, so the work has paid for itself.
I do love how fast it whips around and people moved out of the way all the time, great in traffic and absolutely no road rage or tail gating is vented upon me at anytime.
I drive my car daily and on long trip each year, without any trouble just as long as the car is kept up with and quality parts and fluids are used, I expect it to run well into the 250000 mile range.
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