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

1998 vs 1999 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 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 11.1% more reports in the equal exposure window

1998 117 complaints 1999 130 complaints

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 1998 share 1999 share Share change
WHEELS 1.7% 9.2% ▲ 7.5 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 13.7% 7.7% ▼ 6.0 pts smaller share
ENGINE 23.9% 18.5% ▼ 5.5 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.4% 7.7% ▲ 4.3 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10.3% 6.2% ▼ 4.1 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 6.0% 2.3% ▼ 3.7 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS not reported 2.3% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.7% 3.1% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 3.4% 2.3% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
TIRES 2.6% 1.5% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE not reported 0.8% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 0.9% 1.5% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4.3% 4.6% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 12.8% 13.1% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
STEERING 5.1% 5.4% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 6.0% 6.2% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 76.9% 73.1% ▼ 3.8 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 10

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, SEAT BELTS, SUSPENSION, and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1999 8

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, SEAT BELTS, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
6 → 3
◆ Injuries
7 → 10