Crown Vic, Panther reliability | Lizard Lounge (2024)

In late 2005 I started conducting reliability research. I'm reporting absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so it's possible to provide more frequent updates.

I haven't started collecting reliability on the Panthers yet because too few are enrolled. I'd like to be able to provide information on these cars, though, as they have a rep for lasting forever. Also, some owners that recently signed up asked me why I'm not yet collecting data on the cars, and I told them I'd try to reach out to other Panther owners to get started sooner rather than later.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

This forum and its admin have been essential in getting enough owners for the first-gen CTS, and I certainly appreciate this. Hopefully we can do even better for the 2008, as it's going to bring many new people to Cadillac and the CTS.

To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

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2000 P71 Interceptor orig. equip.near mint parchment int.& carpet 155,000 mi. 3.55 rear .

Sorry for the delayed response. I've become used to automatic notifications:)

Anyway, the reseach is not just for new cars. I'm currently collected on some 1997s, and am considering even earlier model years. The older the car, the more variables enter the picture, but people keep asking me to cover older cars. So I likely will, just with qualifications about maintenance and such.

In general, I start collecting data whenever 25 or more owners sign up for a model year.

I know my '89 Vic would still be going if I had it. Funny thing is someone posted about VW reliability (or lack of it), the reason why my parents bought the Vic way back when was because of a lemon VW Jetta they had. The European versions are much better, naturally.

I will say in 15 years we never had a major problem with the car.

true enough but god has yet to break his crown vic

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64 falcon
66 mustang
05 grand marquis

dont just believe in miracles, rely on them.

The Grand Marquis has excellent quality ratings from it's purchasers... The Crown Victoria on the other hand has poor quality ratings from it's purchasers (new, non-fleet purchases). Yet, they're the same damn car...

It's all in the perception of the consumer.

Of the panthers I've owned...

'95 P71 @ 189K, only routine maintenance
'98 P71 @ 55K, only routine maintenance
'99 P72 @ 250K, only routine maintenance
'99 P73 @ 99K, IAC, routine maintanence
'98 P71 @ 52K, leaking axle seal (replaced rear end), routine maintenance

Other than routine maintenance, and consumables (brake pads, shocks, springs, oil, etc), and minor issues such as the IAC (10 min. fix) and rear end (police 'abuse'), I've had zero issues with any of my panthers.

The only thing that killed my 2006 was some old jackass pulling right out in front of me.

The car only had 24k miles, but during that time, it was totally flawless.