Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1996 vs 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 4.4% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1996 share 1997 share Share change
SERVICE BRAKES 8.4% 16.8% ▲ 8.4 pts larger share
STEERING 10.6% 2.5% ▼ 8.2 pts smaller share
ENGINE 24.5% 28.1% ▲ 3.5 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 12.1% 8.8% ▼ 3.3 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.7% 2.8% ▲ 2.1 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 3.3% 2.1% ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
WHEELS 1.1% 0.4% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
TIRES not reported 0.7% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 3.3% 2.8% ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 15.4% 15.1% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 4.0% 3.9% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.3% 3.2% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6.6% 6.7% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE 0.7% 0.7% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 0.7% 0.7% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 0.7% 0.7% ▼ 0.0 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 78.8% 77.9% ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1996 12

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, SUSPENSION, and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1997 11

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION, and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
16 → 15
◆ Injuries
15 → 18