sailsmen - "In 2001, Ford learned that a specific component – small tabs on the U-brackets attaching the rear stabilizer bar to the axle -- was contributing to a high incidence of post-impact fuel-fed fires in Crown Vics. In a crash the stabilizer bracket tabs are pushed forward into the tank and punctures it. Gas escapes, and a fire starts, which is continually fueled by gas draining from the puncture hole. These are hellish fires that burn savagely.
In 2001, Ford changed the bracket design so it would not puncture tanks, but Ford did nothing to protect the public from this defect for the nearly three million Crown Vics made between 1992 through 2001that were on the road.
Instead of notifying consumers or recalling the vehicles, Ford issued a “Technical Service Bulletin” advising repair facilities that the dangerous tabs on police cars [not regular Crown Vics owned by individuals] could be corrected by grinding off the U-bracket tabs -- a simple and extremely inexpensive fix that takes less than ten minutes and could be done with the U-brackets in place without removing the bracket from the vehicle.
Ford had a duty to warn the public in 2001 and did nothing.".
Don't know how accurate the above is from a plaintiff atty website.