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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

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

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.

Light blue 2002 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, side view. Two white trucks and a red vehicle in background2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · blownranger20004 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front view, with headlights and lower accent lights on, parked at night“Lucile”1998 Crown Victoria · ceevicgo4 photos Gold 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked in driveway“P71”2000 Crown Victoria · Raisinkain4 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria front view, grille with Ford logo, clear headlights, license plate bracket“Police Interceptor”1999 Crown Victoria · Brando434 photos White 1999 Ford Crown Victoria police car with push bumper parked in a lot1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · P714 photos Dark blue Ford Crown Victoria sedan, rear three-quarter view, parked by concrete wall“Embassys vic”1998 Crown Victoria · cvpimaster4 photos Front view of a red 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with a black grille and a blacked-out license plate area“Vicky”2003 Crown Victoria · peshopavlov4 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot, side view“Da Beast”1999 Crown Victoria · John Burke4 photos Center console radio equipment stack between gray cloth seats in a vehicle interior“the INTERCEPTOR”2004 Crown Victoria · ryan sikes4 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan head-on in a narrow paved lane beside a concrete barrier wall1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Pauly Walnuts4 photos White 2004 Ford Crown Victoria grille with red and blue emergency lights and a blue license plate frame2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · RScottyL4 photos Dark 1999 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3/4 front view“Old Reliable”1999 Crown Victoria · PatFromJersey4 photos Black full-size sedan, 3/4 front view on grass with chrome multi-spoke wheels“Denver Panther”2001 Crown Victoria · Christian Schwarz4 photos Blue Ford Crown Victoria sedan with front push bar and hood-mounted American flags, 3q-front view“Police Interceptor”1998 Crown Victoria · John DeStefano4 photos Teal Ford Crown Victoria sedan viewed from rear three-quarter with brake lights on1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · Kevin C4 photos Dark sedan parked in a lot with stadium lights and sunset in the background.“DarkVic04”2004 Crown Victoria · DarkVic043 photos White 2008 Ford Crown Victoria front view with push bar and light bar“White Shadow”2008 Crown Victoria · Wheels4073 photos 2001 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, dark green, front passenger side view, parked on gravel.“LawLes”2001 Crown Victoria · LawLes013 photos White Ford Crown Victoria with tinted taillights and chrome rims, rear driver's side view.2011 Crown Victoria2011 Crown Victoria · HuggySnacks3 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a dirt driveway under tree shade.“policeinterceptor”2006 Crown Victoria · mesha3 photos SM FILE NOT FOUND document“Gestapo Crusier”2003 Crown Victoria · Evil_German3 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked on cracked concrete, side view“Undecided ”2001 Crown Victoria · Pyroduckie873 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan with black push bumper parked outdoors.“Crown Vic”2007 Crown Victoria · Faceracer3 photos White and dark blue 2007 Ford Crown Victoria partially buried in dirt, with "MAXG MOTORSPORTS" banner on windshield2007 Crown Victoria2007 Crown Victoria · MaxGMotorsports3 photos Orange 2001 Ford Crown Victoria with black wheels parked on grass“Victoria”2001 Crown Victoria · VikBoy3 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria police car front view with push bumper and RENO 911 license plate2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · RenoNineOneOne3 photos Man standing next to a blue 2006 Ford Crown Victoria with doors open“Sparky the Blue Blurr”2006 Crown Victoria · zacharyTyS893 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria with a black grille guard parked on a driveway“Tammy”1999 Crown Victoria · 99HotVicp713 photos Maroon 2011 Ford Crown Victoria 3q-front view2011 Crown Victoria2011 Crown Victoria · JKIND3 photos Black 2006 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, rear 3/4 view, parked on asphalt2006 Crown Victoria2006 Crown Victoria · 2006_cvpi3 photos Rear of 2000 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with visible taillight and badge“batmoble”2000 Crown Victoria · flyingdutchman3 photos 2006 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a grassy field with a teepee in the background“driver”2006 Crown Victoria · jimbo14623 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria with green stripe and "BOSS" text on door, parked on grass“Type O Car”2003 Crown Victoria · CrownVic1873 photos Close-up of engine parts including power steering fluid reservoir and wiring harness1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · curemode20023 photos White barcode label reading 09N0222392 on a metal car part2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · 87LTDWagon3 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked along a residential curb2007 Crown Victoria2007 Crown Victoria · hathorn3 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria with“Turtle Patrol ”2003 Crown Victoria · turtlemanT563 photos Dark gray 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3/4 front view“eve”1999 Crown Victoria · Bigryri183 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt, another vehicle visible behind it1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · PaloloP713 photos Tan 2001 Ford Crown Victoria front view, showing grille and headlights2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · ffmarkt3 photos Black sedan, possibly a Ford Crown Victoria, with wire wheels. A dog is visible in the driver's seat“MACHO PRIETO”2001 Crown Victoria · crownvic3103 photos Front view of a white Ford Crown Victoria sedan with chrome grille2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · pup55283 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria with chrome rims and pinstriping“RAMBO”1998 Crown Victoria · VICPUSHER3 photos White Ford Crown Victoria police-spec sedan with steel wheels parked in snow“INTERCEPTOR”2002 Crown Victoria · SICP713 photos Maroon sedan with chrome wheels parked on driveway. Another blue car is behind it“big body”1998 Crown Victoria · ptown7573 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria police car, dark blue, parked on asphalt“SUZIE”1998 Crown Victoria · P71FordCVPI3 photos Dark maroon Ford sedan front view with headlights on in overcast parking lot, plate VSC-47F“black beauty”2005 Crown Victoria · ford053 photos Dark blue 2006 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot“Vicky 1”2006 Crown Victoria · Eddiearchie553 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a driveway2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · rrenz003 photos Dark sedan parked next to a blue SUV. The sedan has a chrome trim around the windows“Ghost”2003 Crown Victoria · SODSICK3 photos Rear quarter view of a silver Ford Crown Victoria with aftermarket wheels. License plate reads 552 HHY“Sasha”1999 Crown Victoria · mlowerider23 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with door shield decal“Police Interceptor”2005 Crown Victoria · deltafire3 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt, rear quarter view1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · racer193 photos Black and white police-style sedan parked in a gravel lot“Athena”2003 Crown Victoria · TeCh3 photos White police car with blue stripes and "POLICE" text, number 258 on fender. Officer on hood2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · videocam7773 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria with NCIS plate, 3q front view“Police Interceptor”1999 Crown Victoria · REBELoffaLEASH3 photos White full-size sedan with all doors open and black custom wheels in a lot2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · wonmyvic3 photos Ford Crown Victoria with green Apple Jacks cereal-themed wrap and chrome wheels“MR. APPLE JACKS/FROOT LOOPS”2000 Crown Victoria · CROWNVICKING3 photos 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, side view, parked on asphalt“blackpanther”2001 Crown Victoria · black_panther3 photos Black Ford sedan with black steel wheels parked by a lake with mountains behind.“STEALTH P71”1999 Crown Victoria · smokinbear19713 photos