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Home/Registry/Ford/Crown Victoria/1998–2011supermotors.net/registry/ford/crown-victoria/1998-2011

1998-2011 Ford Crown VictoriaAero Panther Crown Victoria

1998–2011 60+ on the wall 198 documents ↓

The 1998 model year brought a thorough update of the Ford Crown Victoria, the rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame Panther sedan shared in platform with the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. For 1998 Ford revised the rear suspension to a Watt's-linkage layout, added aluminum front control arms, fitted larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standardized 16-inch wheels. The 4.6L SOHC two-valve modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower with single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune, then to 220 and 235 horsepower for 2001-2002. The most significant chassis change came for 2003, when Ford fitted a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and replaced the long-running recirculating-ball steering with rack and pinion, raising civilian output to 224 and 239 horsepower. Two variants defined the run: the LX Sport, offered from 2002 with the dual-exhaust engine, a firmer suspension, a floor-shifted console, and larger wheels, and the Police Interceptor, the P71 fleet car that gained the "Police Interceptor" name and badge for 1999 and reached 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011. Ford ended United States retail sales after the 2007 model year and built the final Crown Victoria for fleet and export in September 2011.

Other Ford Crown Victoria generations

1955-1956 Ford Crown Victoria 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria

The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria at a glance

  • 1998 update: Watt's-linkage rear suspension, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, standard 16-inch wheels
  • 2003 update: fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and rack-and-pinion steering replacing recirculating ball
  • Engine: 4.6L SOHC two-valve modular V8, rising from 200 hp (1998) to 239 hp (2003 on) civilian, and 250 hp for the 2004-2011 Police Interceptor
  • Transmissions: 4R70W four-speed automatic through 2004, 4R70E for 2005, 4R75E from 2006; the 2004 Police Interceptor used the 4R75W
  • Platform: rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame Panther platform, shared with the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car
  • LX Sport: offered from 2002 with the dual-exhaust engine, firmer suspension, a floor-shifted console, and larger wheels
  • Police Interceptor: P71 order code; "Police Interceptor" name and badge added for 1999
  • End of the line: US retail sales end after 2007; final car built September 2011 at St. Thomas Assembly, Ontario

Ford Crown Victoria 1998-2011 year by year

YearFord Crown Victoria changesEngine / drivetrain
1998Update brings the Watt's-linkage rear suspension, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standard 16-inch wheels4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (200 hp single, 215 hp dual HO); 4R70W automatic
1999Ford adds the separate "Police Interceptor" name and trunk badge to the P71 fleet car4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 215 hp; 4R70W automatic
2000The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria carries over with the updated suspension and the 4.6L V84.6L SOHC 2V V8 (200/215 hp); 4R70W automatic
2001Output of the 4.6L V8 rises across the line4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (220 hp single, 235 hp dual HO); 4R70W automatic
2002The LX Sport arrives with the dual-exhaust engine, firmer suspension, a floor-shifted console, and larger wheels4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (220/235 hp); 4R70W automatic
2003Major re-engineering: a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and rack-and-pinion steering replace the recirculating-ball system; output rises4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224 hp single, 239 hp dual HO); 4R70W automatic
2004The Police Interceptor reaches 250 horsepower with a revised air intake; the civilian 4.6L stays at 224/239 hp4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R70W automatic (4R75W on the Police Interceptor)
2005Ford replaces the 4R70W with the related 4R70E four-speed automatic4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R70E automatic
2006The 4R75E four-speed automatic becomes standard across the line4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R75E automatic
2007Final model year of United States retail sales; the Crown Victoria continues with the 4.6L V8 and the 4R75E automatic4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R75E automatic
2008The Crown Victoria becomes fleet-only in the United States, sold for police, taxi, and export use4.6L SOHC 2V V8 (224/239 hp); 4R75E automatic
2009The Ford Crown Victoria continues for fleet, police, and export only4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R75E automatic
2010Fleet, police, and export production of the Ford Crown Victoria continues4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R75E automatic
2011Final year; the last Ford Crown Victoria is built in September 2011 at St. Thomas Assembly, Ontario4.6L SOHC 2V V8; Police Interceptor 250 hp; 4R75E automatic

The 1998 suspension and brake update

The 1998 Ford Crown Victoria revised the chassis hardware while keeping the rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame Panther layout. Ford replaced the earlier three-link rear suspension with a four-link arrangement using a Watt's linkage to locate the live rear axle, added aluminum front lower control arms, fitted larger brake rotors with dual-piston front calipers, and standardized 16-inch wheels across the line. The 4.6L SOHC modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower with single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. The 1998 update did not change the steering, which remained recirculating ball until the 2003 re-engineering.

The 2003 frame and steering re-engineering

The 2003 Ford Crown Victoria received the most significant chassis change of its life while staying on the Panther platform. Ford fitted a fully boxed frame using partly hydroformed front rails for better crash performance, revised the front suspension, and, for the first time, replaced the long-running recirculating-ball steering with a rack-and-pinion system. Civilian output rose to 224 horsepower with single exhaust and 239 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. These changes carried through to the end of production and also benefited the Police Interceptor built on the same frame.

Engines and transmissions of the 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria

The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria used the 4.6L SOHC two-valve modular V8 throughout, in a standard single-exhaust tune and a dual-exhaust high-output tune. Output climbed in steps: 200 and 215 horsepower from 1998, 220 and 235 horsepower for 2001-2002, and 224 and 239 horsepower from 2003. The Police Interceptor used the dual-exhaust engine and reached 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011 with a revised air intake. The transmission was the 4R70W four-speed automatic through 2004, then the related 4R70E for 2005 and the 4R75E from 2006; the 2004 Police Interceptor used the 4R75W. No manual transmission was offered.

The LX Sport

The LX Sport was the enthusiast civilian Crown Victoria, offered from the 2002 model year. It paired the dual-exhaust high-output 4.6L V8 with a firmer handling-and-performance suspension, larger wheels, a floor-mounted shifter with a center console and bucket seats, and a monochrome exterior. It gave retail buyers most of the chassis hardware of the Police Interceptor in a street car. The LX Sport ran through 2008, its label later folded into a handling and performance package as the retail line narrowed.

The Police Interceptor and the end of production

The 1998-2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, built to the P71 order code, was the dominant North American police cruiser of its era. Ford added the separate "Police Interceptor" name and trunk badge for 1999. The P71 used the dual-exhaust 4.6L V8, a heavy-duty cooling system with external power-steering, transmission, and engine-oil coolers, a heavy-duty alternator, a stiffer suspension, and calibrated rear-axle ratios; the 2004-2011 cars produced 250 horsepower. Ford ended United States retail sales of the Crown Victoria after the 2007 model year and continued building it for fleet, police, and export. The last Ford Crown Victoria was built in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, ending production ahead of the federal electronic-stability-control requirement that took effect for the 2012 model year.

Frequently asked questions

What changed on the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria?

The 1998 Ford Crown Victoria gained a four-link rear suspension with a Watt's linkage, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standard 16-inch wheels. The 4.6L modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. Steering stayed recirculating ball until 2003.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria get rack-and-pinion steering?

The Ford Crown Victoria switched from recirculating-ball steering to rack and pinion for the 2003 model year, as part of the same re-engineering that added a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and raised civilian output to 224 horsepower single exhaust and 239 horsepower with the dual-exhaust tune.

What was the Crown Victoria LX Sport?

The Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport was the enthusiast civilian model offered from 2002. It paired the dual-exhaust high-output 4.6L V8 with a firmer suspension, larger wheels, a floor-mounted shifter with a center console and bucket seats, and a monochrome exterior, giving retail buyers much of the Police Interceptor's chassis hardware. It ran through 2008.

How much horsepower does the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor have?

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor used the dual-exhaust 4.6L V8, rated 215 horsepower for 1998-2000, 235 horsepower for 2001-2002, 239 horsepower for 2003, and 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011 with a revised air intake.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria stop being sold?

Ford ended United States retail sales of the Crown Victoria after the 2007 model year and continued building it for fleet, police, and export. The final Ford Crown Victoria was built in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, ahead of the 2012 federal electronic-stability-control requirement.

Sources

  • Ford factory specification sheets and shop manuals for the 1998-2011 Crown Victoria
  • Wikipedia, Ford Crown Victoria; Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor; Ford Panther platform
  • Ford Police Interceptor fleet literature (P71)
  • VIN and data-plate decoding for engine, transmission, and axle identification
By the SuperMotors Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026 · Spotted an error? Suggest a correction

Asked all the time

What changed on the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria?

The 1998 Ford Crown Victoria gained a four-link rear suspension with a Watt's linkage, aluminum front control arms, larger brakes with dual-piston front calipers, and standard 16-inch wheels. The 4.6L modular V8 rose to 200 horsepower single exhaust and 215 horsepower with the dual-exhaust high-output tune. Steering stayed recirculating ball until 2003.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria get rack-and-pinion steering?

The Ford Crown Victoria switched from recirculating-ball steering to rack and pinion for the 2003 model year, as part of the same re-engineering that added a fully boxed, partly hydroformed frame and raised civilian output to 224 horsepower single exhaust and 239 horsepower with the dual-exhaust tune.

What was the Crown Victoria LX Sport?

The Ford Crown Victoria LX Sport was the enthusiast civilian model offered from 2002. It paired the dual-exhaust high-output 4.6L V8 with a firmer suspension, larger wheels, a floor-mounted shifter with a center console and bucket seats, and a monochrome exterior, giving retail buyers much of the Police Interceptor's chassis hardware. It ran through 2008.

How much horsepower does the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor have?

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor used the dual-exhaust 4.6L V8, rated 215 horsepower for 1998-2000, 235 horsepower for 2001-2002, 239 horsepower for 2003, and 250 horsepower for 2004 through 2011 with a revised air intake.

When did the Ford Crown Victoria stop being sold?

Ford ended United States retail sales of the Crown Victoria after the 2007 model year and continued building it for fleet, police, and export. The final Ford Crown Victoria was built in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, ahead of the 2012 federal electronic-stability-control requirement.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Data/Spec Plates (58)

Manual Pages (14)

Wiring Diagrams (21)

Brochures & Literature (62)

Vacuum Routing (3)

Service Procedures (8)

Exploded Parts (6)

Blueprints (5)

Schematics (11)

Torque Specs (4)

Fuse & Relay Charts (6)

The wall · registered 1998–2011 Crown Victorias

Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.

Black Crown Victoria doing a burnout at a drag strip with EVIL VIC plate“EVIL VIC”2003 Crown Victoria · dmcdfreak12,656 photos Dark green Ford sedan engulfed in tire smoke during a burnout“Jade”1998 Crown Victoria · RocketCouch11,077 photos Dark blue 2001 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked in a lot2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · David Taylor6,053 photos Gray 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt, trees and building in background2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · Tallen5,185 photos Dark blue Ford Crown Victoria front grille and lit headlight at dusk“EmbassyVic”1998 Crown Victoria · Embassy Vic1,436 photos Dark gray 2000 Ford Crown Victoria with hood open, parked on dirt lot“Betty”2000 Crown Victoria · BiggerJon1,365 photos Maroon Ford Crown Victoria with custom black wheels parked on asphalt“Margaret - The Vic - Christine”2004 Crown Victoria · Mrvic20041,133 photos Red 1998 Ford Crown Victoria front grille with honeycomb pattern and Ford emblem, plus headlight“Big Red”1999 Crown Victoria · Ryan Elkins934 photos Maroon Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a street, front three-quarter view“P73”1998 Crown Victoria · vic1992LX931 photos White Ford Crown Victoria with push bar and pillar spotlight, low front three-quarter view“Casper”2004 Crown Victoria · RocketCouch849 photos 2000 Ford Crown Victoria, tan paint, black steel wheels, side view“texasvic”2000 Crown Victoria · TexasVic675 photos Black 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked at dragway“The Vic”2000 Crown Victoria · J. Barry481 photos Silver 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with a chrome grille and license plate N84 3645, parked inside a car wash bay“LX Sport”2003 Crown Victoria · ajdereicup421 photos Front view of a white 2000 Ford Crown Victoria with a black push bar and a D.A.R.E. license plate. Another car is visible in the background“Victoria”2000 Crown Victoria · ksc418 photos Gray 2000 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on pavement, side view“Smokie”2000 Crown Victoria · Ryan Elkins339 photos Front view of a 2011 Ram 1500 SLT 4x4 parked in the snow2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · Hootbro329 photos White 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, 3/4 front view“Flying Snow”2001 Crown Victoria · Embassy Vic327 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria rear view, Georgia license plate TRKXVKY“Tricky Vicky”1998 Crown Victoria · chevysnfirst318 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with a black push bar, parked in a lot“SOLD”2003 Crown Victoria · mRdot317 photos Dark blue Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front 3/4 view on dirt road by a field“sold to carmax”1998 Crown Victoria · polarbear306 photos Red 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, rear 3/4 view“The Red Vic”2001 Crown Victoria · Benfolio305 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt with grandstands in background“Count Blackula”2001 Crown Victoria · jowhite296 photos Dark Ford Crown Victoria police car parked on a paved road with snow-capped mountains in the background“P71”2001 Crown Victoria · DieHard290 photos Maroon Ford sedan parked in lot, front three-quarter view with chrome grille“Big Red”2000 Crown Victoria · BACON280 photos 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a garage, front quarter view“Christine”2001 Crown Victoria · djbruce26251 photos Two red coupes parked front-facing inside a garage“Interceptor”1998 Crown Victoria · AODE236 photos Silver 2004 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · CNGInterceptor219 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked on grass near a lake with autumn trees2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · 01interceptor212 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked in a driveway, 3/4 front view“The Batmobile”2003 Crown Victoria · TRWXXA192 photos 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, tan exterior, parked on driveway“The 07”2007 Crown Victoria · Bobert2647189 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a garage, front 3/4 view“White Lightning”2003 Crown Victoria · xviperx26179 photos Charcoal Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front 3/4 view, in an empty parking lot“MTL”2000 Crown Victoria · Charles M.178 photos Silver 2004 Ford Crown Victoria parked on grass, front 3/4 view“None Yet”2004 Crown Victoria · Jason Tetterton175 photos Dark blue 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a driveway2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · SG1NUT171 photos Black 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, front view“Vicky”1999 Crown Victoria · Jon Koz166 photos Front view of black 2003 Ford Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · thebfk165 photos man in green jacket leaning on dark car with white vinyl roof“BricVic”2000 Crown Victoria · jcg1155 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked on gravel lot in front of a building1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · Joseph A152 photos Rear view of a dark green police car, possibly a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, with a light bar on top and yellow stripes on the side. License plate reads…1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · metallicvic147 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, dark blue, front 3/4 view“The Trouper”1999 Crown Victoria · Trouper147 photos Rear quarter view of a silver 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked outside“Vic”2000 Crown Victoria · dannyNY820135 photos Dark blue sedan with front-end crash damage, missing grille and exposed radiator at night“Gone to the great parking lot in the sky”1999 Crown Victoria · Steve83133 photos Dark gray Ford Crown Victoria sedan in side profile on pavement with trees behind“P74”2004 Crown Victoria · Boss68123 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria police car with push bumper, parked outside“Police Interceptor”1998 Crown Victoria · Jimsss117 photos White 1999 Ford Crown Victoria front view with Illinois license plate“CommandoVic”1999 Crown Victoria · Jesse Harper117 photos Black 2004 Ford Crown Victoria parked in front of a building“NightStalker”2004 Crown Victoria · 04NightStalker116 photos White 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked outside a building. Paper with '289' taped to the rear passenger window“Vicki”2001 Crown Victoria · ksc112 photos Silver 2004 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor rear quarter panel with taillight and 'POLICE INTERCEPTOR' badge“unnamed”2004 Crown Victoria · djbruce26111 photos Red 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3q front view1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · CVCobraLX27108 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria front quarter view, parked outside with houses in background2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · interceptor859104 photos Champagne gold Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front 3/4 view, parked in driveway by brick house.“Poison Ivy”2004 Crown Victoria · Embassy Vic99 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria front view in snow1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · GUNDY98 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked on gravel lot with grassy field and houses in background“Hot Rod Police Car”2000 Crown Victoria · zwack8898 photos White 1999 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a driveway“P71 police interceptor”1999 Crown Victoria · Brian Mraz94 photos Front passenger side of a white Ford Crown Victoria police car, parked on a street2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · cvpip71y2k93 photos Black 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt with a church in the background2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · vicfan9293 photos White coupe drifting in dirt, kicking up a large dust cloud. Appears to be a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Ted A91 photos Red 2000 Ford Crown Victoria front grille and headlights“Vicky”2000 Crown Victoria · q8e_nager8287 photos light green station wagon with roof rack, parked on a road“08CVPI”2008 Crown Victoria · Montanaman85 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt with blue buildings in background“White Vic”1998 Crown Victoria · Benfolio85 photos
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