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.

Black 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, rear quarter view“The Vic”1998 Crown Victoria · bluelinebrotha6 photos Tan 1999 Ford Crown Victoria with large chrome rims, side view“Fried”1999 Crown Victoria · crown_vic_driver6 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria with push bar and "S-11" license plate2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · PantherP716 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria rear view with Ontario license plate1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · Deckard_B263546 photos Green 2001 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3q front view“My little car or (Jennifer)”2001 Crown Victoria · IFleshCouldCrawl6 photos Black 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked on asphalt with trees in background. License plate 58X N31“Cruzah”2000 Crown Victoria · spellman216 photos White 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, front 3/4 view, parked in lot with other white sedans1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · aguyindallas6 photos White 1999 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor rear, close-up on taillight and "POLICE INTERCEPTOR" badge1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Matt Matt6 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria with steel wheels parked among autumn trees2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · < Gixter >6 photos Blue sedan with black grille and wheels, front quarter view1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · matt Rose6 photos White Ford sedan front three-quarter view parked outdoors near palm trees.“[P-71 Police Interceptor] The Vic”2000 Crown Victoria · Bob Sinclair6 photos 2000 Ford Crown Victoria front view“2000 cvpi”2000 Crown Victoria · billy fine6 photos White Ford sedan, front three-quarter view, parked on gravel near trees1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · James Waldrup6 photos White four-door sedan, front 3/4 view, parked by red brick building in the rain“Yokomo99”1999 Crown Victoria · Matthew Bergin6 photos Black and white police sedan parked on wet asphalt at dusk.“Oreo”2005 Crown Victoria · dredluxx5 photos Ford sedan interior with black steering wheel, gauges and dashboard, viewed from rear“beast”2010 Crown Victoria · eagleeyered5 photos Dark blue Ford Crown Victoria sedan profile view parked on concrete near woods“Blue”2003 Crown Victoria · howey03p715 photos Dark gray Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front three-quarter view, with black grille and 5-spoke alloy wheels“NOTORIOUS ”2006 Crown Victoria · VsNOTORIOUSP715 photos 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, rear quarter panel is a different color than the rest of the car2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · Raycecar045 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan with black grille parked on a wet forest road“Bargainbucket”2003 Crown Victoria · IslandVicp715 photos Gray 2003 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a driveway, front quarter view“intercepter”2003 Crown Victoria · MANJOHN15 photos Silver 2006 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on asphalt, trees in background“P71 Interceptor SOLD 12/2015”2006 Crown Victoria · dbmcd5 photos Close-up of a steering shaft universal joint with a hex wrench engaged2007 Crown Victoria2007 Crown Victoria · 96bluvic5 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on gravel, three-quarter front view.“My Vic”2004 Crown Victoria · CrownVicP71Qc5 photos Digital odometer showing 263048 with text 'ENGINE CALIBRATION' below“nothing yet”2006 Crown Victoria · SpeedLimit5 photos Black 2003 Ford Crown Victoria rear view, license plate obscured2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · ALLBLKvic5 photos White interior of a police car, front seats and dashboard visible2006 Crown Victoria2006 Crown Victoria · CrackerCoast5 photos Black 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot, side view. Another car is visible in the background“LX Sport”2003 Crown Victoria · CVChino5 photos White 2006 Ford Crown Victoria parked in driveway, 3q-front view2006 Crown Victoria2006 Crown Victoria · Shadow_Smurf5 photos 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor badge on trunk lid“whoop whoop”2007 Crown Victoria · whoopwhoop075 photos Dark green Ford Crown Victoria front view with Massachusetts plate1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · blackcv5 photos Maroon Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked outdoors among autumn trees, front three-quarter view.“vicky”2004 Crown Victoria · 03Fordzilla5 photos White Crown Victoria sedan with push bumper and spotlight parked by a field.“1410”2002 Crown Victoria · dtfd14105 photos Front view of a silver 2006 Ford Crown Victoria parked in a lot2006 Crown Victoria2006 Crown Victoria · fiveohguy5 photos Silver 2005 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked outdoors, rear quarter view“Victoria”2005 Crown Victoria · Crown_Victorious5 photos Dark blue Ford Crown Victoria front view, license plate SPT-866, with a black grille and Ford emblem2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · James Powell5 photos Dark green Ford Crown Victoria with a woman and child next to it.“The Vic”1999 Crown Victoria · sherry5 photos White Sheriff Ford Crown Victoria sedan in side view parked on grass“Krispy”2008 Crown Victoria · bwmsal5 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria parked on driveway next to a baby in a toy police car.2005 Crown Victoria2005 Crown Victoria · corporalcuffs5 photos Two people, a man and a boy, sit on a blue couch. A 'Happy Birthday' banner hangs in the background1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · neonman125 photos Black 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3q-front view“Punisher”1998 Crown Victoria · Akula235 photos 2003 Ford Crown Victoria trunk with spare tire and STOP sign2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · RuZZeLL5 photos Dark gray Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked beside a brick building“LX Sport”2004 Crown Victoria · Cooper5 photos Front view of black 1999 Ford Crown Victoria with dual side mirrors“Intimadaytour”1999 Crown Victoria · Roxydeva5 photos Front view of a dark blue 2000 Ford Crown Victoria“"Nytestalker"”2000 Crown Victoria · 20CVPI005 photos Black and white sedan rear 3/4 view with steel wheels in a driveway by a white garage2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · g00se5 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked inside a metal shop building“unlawful pursuit”2004 Crown Victoria · vicpimp5 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked on gravel lot, front 3/4 view1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · whoamitoday5 photos Dashboard gauges with odometer showing 000111 miles and trip meter showing 0035“"Chief"”2004 Crown Victoria · MontegoMan5 photos Red 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3/4 front view“Carlito's Crown Vic”1999 Crown Victoria · Carlos Torres5 photos Silver-green Ford Crown Victoria sedan, 3/4 front view on brick pavers“2003 Ford Crown Victoria”2003 Crown Victoria · SuperFord.org Staff5 photos Silver Ford Crown Victoria front quarter close-up with black steel wheels and chrome center caps“Police Interceptor”2003 Crown Victoria · BlueStreak5 photos Silver Ford Crown Victoria sedan, front three-quarter view on plain background“2002 Ford Crown Victoria”2002 Crown Victoria · SuperFord.org Staff5 photos Rear of a sedan behind a semi-truck trailer on a dark highway at night“P71”2001 Crown Victoria · Rick Manna5 photos 2005 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a dirt road, side view. Car has steel wheels and some rust“Shadowfax”2005 Crown Victoria · k3na134 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria police car with push bumper, parked on grass“P71”2008 Crown Victoria · cyberenz4 photos Blue 2006 Ford Crown Victoria sedan, rear quarter view2006 Crown Victoria2006 Crown Victoria · ericthecarguy4 photos Silver-gold Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked inside a shop“Silver Fang”2003 Crown Victoria · _alchemik4 photos Front view of a black 2009 Ford Crown Victoria parked outside2009 Crown Victoria2009 Crown Victoria · Laserdoc4 photos Black 2002 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a driveway, side view“Vic LX SPORT”2002 Crown Victoria · ULTIMATELS4 photos