Crown Victoria Faces Another Safety Probe

Ford Motor Co.’s Crown Victoria, the subject of lawsuits over fatal fires and a recall of some 2003 models for potential wheel cracks, faces a U.S. inquiry after police departments said axles broke or wheels fell off.

The investigation covers 287,819 police and civilian 2003 models of the sedan and the similar Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. Two police fleets reported that axles broke or wheels fell off on four cars, without accidents.

The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker, which has defended the safety of the sedans, didn’t immediately respond to a call seeking a comment.