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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.

White sedan front end disassembled, bumper cover and lights removed, exposing radiator support and bumper absorber“"my car"”2006 Crown Victoria · atxbigdaddyd4 photos White 2002 Ford Crown Victoria with light bar and tinted windows, rear passenger side view.2002 Crown Victoria2002 Crown Victoria · RMOUTLAW4 photos White Ford Crown Victoria police sedan on black steel wheels, 3/4 front“P-71”2003 Crown Victoria · Xanavia334 photos Close-up of 1999 Ford Crown Victoria engine bay with hoses, coolant reservoir, and power distribution box.1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Criminalslangp714 photos Matte-black Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked in a driveway“P-71”2000 Crown Victoria · DROD4 photos Dark Ford Crown Victoria with a push bar parked at night“Ash”2005 Crown Victoria · hvmusek4 photos White 2007 Ford Crown Victoria parked on driveway. Black grille, black wheels, tinted windows“Chine”2007 Crown Victoria · ClovisRothchild4 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked on grass, front 3/4 view, some dirt on front bumper“Enforcer”2000 Crown Victoria · Zachary Schul4 photos Black 2008 Ford Crown Victoria police car, front view, with a push bar and Ontario license plate BVZC-619“Peacemaker”2008 Crown Victoria · aceofspades3274 photos engine bay with a craftsman toolbox, a bottle of beer, and an aftermarket air intake“black betty”2008 Crown Victoria · svt_P714 photos Maroon 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, front 3/4 view, with aftermarket wheels and a satellite dish on the roof“vicky”2006 Crown Victoria · brutalford064 photos Silver 2004 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a driveway2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · motosxer4 photos White 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, 3/4 front view2008 Crown Victoria2008 Crown Victoria · dhaskell254 photos White sedan with steel wheels on snowy road, red car in background“Wolf Chops”2008 Crown Victoria · 08CrownVicP714 photos Maroon sedan in foreground, silver sedan to the left, parked outdoors.“Red”2007 Crown Victoria · frankinvic4 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked on the side of a rural road, front 3/4 view“Vicky”2003 Crown Victoria · jhp230gr20014 photos Gold Ford Crown Victoria parked in a driveway. Another car is visible in the background“PoPo”1999 Crown Victoria · Florida_Vic4 photos 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, light blue, parked outside“Smurf”2003 Crown Victoria · Vank5084 photos White 2003 Ford Crown Victoria front view“Loudassbiitch”2003 Crown Victoria · Bigboibigvic4 photos Silver Ford Crown Victoria sedan from low rear three-quarter angle on pavement“Bulldog”2004 Crown Victoria · joerg9004 photos Red 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked outdoors with trees in the background“Scarlet”2000 Crown Victoria · articfox4 photos Black 2006 Ford Crown Victoria with chrome wheels parked in a lot“black mamba”2006 Crown Victoria · bernardoe19834 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, blue sedan, 3q-front view“Victor”1998 Crown Victoria · vicman13614 photos Black 2004 Ford Crown Victoria front view with honeycomb grille2004 Crown Victoria2004 Crown Victoria · krongraves88904 photos Front view of a black 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked under a covered area“Five-0”2000 Crown Victoria · JFill4 photos Silver 1999 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked in snow1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · sonofadocker4 photos Front view of a black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria with a chrome grille and Ford badging“Vicki”2001 Crown Victoria · PantherCaptive4 photos Red 1998 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a gravel road1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · lucaskduke4 photos White 2002 Ford Crown Victoria front view“the sleeper”2002 Crown Victoria · stamey684 photos 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked in driveway at dusk, headlights on“Toby”1999 Crown Victoria · cybertrucker4 photos Black Ford Crown Victoria P71 sedan with steel wheels parked in a suburban driveway2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · p71policeinterceptor4 photos Ford Crown Victoria with primer and bare metal on passenger side panels, black front end, aftermarket wheels1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · azvic994 photos Front view of a silver 2003 Ford Crown Victoria police car with a push bar parked in front of a house“rammer”2003 Crown Victoria · Joshua1019174 photos 2001 Ford Crown Victoria interior with floor shifter and dashboard controls2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · circuithatch4 photos White sedan parked in front of a garage. Chrome grille and headlights visible1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · randy-luvpump4 photos White 2000 Ford Crown Victoria parked outdoors with mountains in the background“Vicky”2000 Crown Victoria · Oddman4 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked, front 3/4 view, steel wheels, in commercial lot“THE INTERCEPTOR”2003 Crown Victoria · ParkerVic034 photos White full-size sedan, 3/4 front view, chrome aftermarket wheels, in a driveway“The Tank”1999 Crown Victoria · rrickrubio4 photos Red 1998 Ford Crown Victoria parked on grass and concrete“Red Big Machine”1998 Crown Victoria · CrownLA4 photos White Ford sedan parked on driveway, front three-quarter view1998 Crown Victoria1998 Crown Victoria · johnnyknox4 photos Man crouches next to a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria police car2005 Crown Victoria2005 Crown Victoria · spartaems5814 photos Black and white police sedan parked at night in a lot2001 Crown Victoria2001 Crown Victoria · livabetes4 photos White 2005 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked in front of graffiti-covered wall.“Vicky”2005 Crown Victoria · Vickysoasis4 photos White Ford Crown Victoria sedan with dark aftermarket wheels on gravel“"The Cop Car"”2003 Crown Victoria · frazierclan4 photos 2008 Ford Crown Victoria parked on driveway, another car in background“Betsy”2008 Crown Victoria · harposvic4 photos Blue four-door sedan in side profile parked on gravel outdoors2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · Scio_Secuutus4 photos 2000 Ford Crown Victoria rear view2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · commodus1924 photos Gray Crown Victoria sedan rear 3/4 view in a parking lot at night2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · 00vic4 photos 1999 Ford Crown Victoria side view showing door handle and alloy wheel1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · Totalmadness4 photos White police car, side view. Red light bar on roof“Land Yaught”2000 Crown Victoria · fireCVPI4 photos Front view of a dark blue Ford Crown Victoria with a white roof parked on a driveway“Bluesmobile”2003 Crown Victoria · SeanyCash4 photos Silver 2006 Ford Crown Victoria parked on a dirt road, front 3/4 view“Supervisor”2006 Crown Victoria · cv1234 photos Red 2000 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a residential street, front passenger side visible2000 Crown Victoria2000 Crown Victoria · 00civilx4 photos Rear view of white 2003 Ford Crown Victoria parked in driveway, house and lawn in background“Jelly Donut”2003 Crown Victoria · Marcel4 photos Sedan interior with gray steering wheel, green gauge cluster, and police badge logo on speedometer.1999 Crown Victoria1999 Crown Victoria · tackleberry4 photos Blue Ford Crown Victoria parked on gravel in front of a house“Kent LX Sport”2003 Crown Victoria · bigkent14 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria sedan parked on a road, front quarter view. Chrome trim and alloy wheels are visible“Ole Black Betty”2001 Crown Victoria · Goldstar2194 photos Black 2001 Ford Crown Victoria police car, front view with push bumper“Hawk”2001 Crown Victoria · nighthawk4 photos Red 2003 Ford Crown Victoria LTD sedan, 3q front view2003 Crown Victoria2003 Crown Victoria · Matts90CV4 photos Engine bay with V8 engine cover, alternator, belts, and coolant reservoir visible“The Company Car”2003 Crown Victoria · Unherd4 photos