SuperMotors SuperMotors SUPERMOTORS Search: try “orange Bronco on 35s”
Gray 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt, trees and building in background
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

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.

1999 Ford Crown Victoria front view on paved road1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Johnny Mc24 photos 2001 Ford Crown Victoria rear end lifted on a jack, license plate EOL 8516“cv”2001 Crown Victoria · Agorax23 photos Silver 2005 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot“Elwood”2005 Crown Victoria · kekle23 photos Silver 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked on gravel lot“Vicky”2003 Crown Victoria · cv03silver23 photos Black 2003 Ford Crown Victoria front grille with honeycomb pattern and red accents“P71 Police Interceptor”2003 Crown Victoria · FireMedic75523 photos Red 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3q-front view“LATINO HEAT”1999 Crown Victoria · lawdawg23 photos Red 2005 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a gravel shoulder beside a two-lane road with a wooden fence and trees in the background“Torreador LX Sport”2005 Crown Victoria · FireflyP7123 photos Dark blue Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front-quarter view, black steel wheels, parked on grass lot1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Vince Knott23 photos White 2001 Ford Crown Victoria Washington County Sheriff car with a driver“Sheriff”2001 Crown Victoria · RadAg22 photos 2002 Ford Crown Victoria sedan with black steel wheels, towing a small utility trailer2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · teds22 photos Orange and maroon two-tone full-size sedan, 3/4 front view in parking lot“Redskins”1999 Crown Victoria · brownguy749522 photos Red 2000 Ford Crown Victoria rear quarter view2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · Powers22 photos 2002 Ford Crown Victoria front grille with black honeycomb pattern and Ford logo. License plate reads '90'2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · Smokeybear22 photos Silver 2009 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot2009 Crown Victoria2009 Crown Victoria · mbnv99221 photos Hand-drawn concept sketch of orange sports coupe in side view with a snake drawing below.“NO ANTIDOTE”2004 Crown Victoria · HOMEWRECKER21 photos Silver 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked in front of a brick house with a double garage door2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · silverp7121 photos 2000 Ford Crown Victoria front view with Massachusetts license plate 54MF79“P71”2000 Crown Victoria · tapp121 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria front end with damaged headlight and hood2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · kustomizingkid21 photos Dark Ford sedan, front 3/4 view, parked in driveway by open garage“SC LX Sport”2005 Crown Victoria · onefastmf21 photos Gray F-15 Eagle fighter jet on tarmac, tail number ET 46 TW 188, with crowd and tents in background2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · kap6421 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot“The Batmobile”2001 Crown Victoria · Kevin Tully21 photos Silver 2004 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt with trees and a body of water in the background“LX Sport”2004 Crown Victoria · Fahad H.21 photos Dark blue 2002 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a dirt driveway“Got Vic”2002 Crown Victoria · Dave Peterson21 photos 2004 Ford Crown Victoria parked next to a dark blue Ford pickup truck and a black SUV“Vicky”2004 Crown Victoria · amd_nut20 photos Black 2004 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, side view“Mrs. Victoria”2004 Crown Victoria · MAWGBender20 photos White 2001 Ford Crown Victoria front view, black grille with Ford logo, minor bumper scuffs“Enforcer”2001 Crown Victoria · Adam-Stryker20 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a road2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · Quasar321020 photos Front view of a red Ford sedan with black grille and Ford emblem parked on concrete.“Victor”2001 Crown Victoria · 393Clevor19 photos 2003 Ford Crown Victoria rear quarter view, black paint, aftermarket wheels, parked in driveway“CustomCruiser”2003 Crown Victoria · SERPICO19 photos Sign listing 'Cobra Vic', 'One of 18 Built by Jack Roush', '32V SVT Cobra Engine', and 'SVT Cobra 5 Speed Trans.' with a date stamp of 06/06/2008“Carlisle”2008 Crown Victoria · stevooo19 photos Silver 2001 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a driveway2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · KANSAS_SPEED19 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot. License plate reads 975-TLK1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · Crown_Gr19 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on roadside“BigBad”1999 Crown Victoria · PhatPug19 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria parked in driveway. License plate W62-ALR1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · FrostyVic19 photos Dark gray Ford sedan, 3q-front view, black grille, steel wheels, parked beside white van“The Luvboat”2003 Crown Victoria · droriginal19 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan with white door and gold stripe, parked in lot“Vicky”2007 Crown Victoria · Lazarus18 photos Tan 2002 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a driveway2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · virusct18 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria front view“Fernandina”1999 Crown Victoria · georgeanton18 photos B&W partially assembled DOHC V8 engine with heads, cams and timing chains“south fl vic”2003 Crown Victoria · jwar112718 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked in a driveway2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · denali8118 photos 2003 Ford Crown Victoria trunk with custom subwoofer box and amplifier installed2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · cowelljr18 photos Tan full-size sedan parked in driveway, 3/4 front view, with snow and shrubs nearby“the Other Woman”2002 Crown Victoria · Dave Resch18 photos Teal 2006 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on asphalt road.2006 Crown Victoria2006 Crown Victoria · dredluxx17 photos Black sedan parked on a driveway, side view, chrome wheels, tinted windows“Big Black”2008 Crown Victoria · rydeowt17 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, 3/4 front view“VIC''EM”2001 Crown Victoria · miamikidd17 photos Silver 1999 Ford Crown Victoria front fender and wire-spoke wheel“Ghost”1999 Crown Victoria · BossOutlaw17 photos 2005 Ford Crown Victoria, white, with black push bar and aftermarket wheels, parked next to a silver SUV“Casey”2005 Crown Victoria · VaporThompson17 photos NYPD police car, front quarter view. Ford Crown Victoria with light bar“NYPD”2002 Crown Victoria · MOVIEAUTOS17 photos Front view of a dark-colored 2003 Ford Crown Victoria police car with its emergency lights on“Squad 297”2003 Crown Victoria · seabrookfire29717 photos White 2002 Ford Crown Victoria rear roof and window with Supermotors logo2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · silverp7117 photos White Ford Crown Victoria with hood open, showing engine. License plate AKJR-265“Sarah”2004 Crown Victoria · TheDriver95917 photos Silver 2004 Ford Crown Victoria front view“Silver Bullet”2004 Crown Victoria · daytona17 photos Silver 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked on gravel with trees and a building in the background2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · Kelly P17 photos Silver Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a street by a wood fence“Squad 65”2001 Crown Victoria · AugustaGA17 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria side view parked in front of Granger Motors dealership“Crown Vice”1999 Crown Victoria · Albert Schmitz17 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan, rear 3/4 view, with man leaning on trunk“vickie”2001 Crown Victoria · GODOWAR16 photos Black and white police car, 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, parked on a concrete surface in front of a brick building2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · Solidlancaster16 photos Blue Ford Mustang GT500 with white racing stripes, driver's door open“The Vic”1998 Crown Victoria · BigDaddyIndy16 photos Silver 2002 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on gravel, hood open, two people standing near rear“da beast”2002 Crown Victoria · Michael Carson16 photos Dark blue sedan parked on dirt, front quarter view. Visible damage on front bumper1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · rdempsey16 photos