Table 1 shows two common vehicle speed control related problems of the 1999 Ford Crown Victoria.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Car Accelerates On Its Own problems | |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems |
: the contact stated the vehicle accelerated suddenly without warning on three occasions. The first incident occurred while driving at an undetermined speed, but was not reported to the manufacturer. The second incident occurred while pulling up to a stop light at 35 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning into the intersection. The vehicle stopped only after the ignition was turned off. After the second incident the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced a solenoid, but it was unknown whether the solenoid was in the engine or brake system. The dealer only replaced the solenoid in an attempt to remedy the problem, but offered no guarantee the solenoid would remedy the problem. The third incident occurred while pulling into the garage at 2 mph with the brake pedal depressed. The vehicle accelerated without warning and crashed into the garage wall. Again, the vehicle did not stop until the ignition was turned off. The vehicle has not been returned to the dealer for further inspection.
Pinging is experienced when the throttle is open all the way during acceleration. The recommended fuel for this vehicle is regular unleaded, which I use. When I use premium there is no pinging. This has been evident the entire time I have had this vehicle. I brought the vehicle in for this problem during the warranty period and was told that it was normal, this is not normal. After the 100,000-mi tune-up the problem was not evident until about 5000 mi afterward. There is a design flaw and possible misrepresentation if the vehicle was advertised as using regular unleaded and really should be using premium.