For decades, police fleets in North America have experimented with different cars in search of the perfect balance between power, reliability, space, and cost. Some models became legends, like the Ford Crown Victoria, while others were so disappointing that officers dreaded climbing behind the wheel. Over time, many of these missteps gained reputations for being unreliable, expensive to maintain, or simply unsuited to the harsh demands of patrol duty. These are ten cars that police departments have sworn off and refuse to buy anymore.
Ford Taurus Police Interceptor
The Ford Taurus Interceptor was billed as the worthy successor to the beloved Crown Victoria, and at first glance it looked promising. It offered modern safety technology, available all wheel drive, and turbocharged EcoBoost engines. But in reality, it was too cramped for daily police work. Taller officers complained about the lack of space for gear and laptops inside the cabin, while back seat room for detainees was extremely tight. Reliability problems surfaced early, with frequent transmission failures and overheating issues under pursuit duty. Departments also found resale values dismal compared to the rugged Crown Vic. While Ford pushed the Taurus hard, many fleets phased them out quickly, preferring SUVs like the Explorer once the issues became impossible to ignore.
Chevrolet Caprice PPV (2011 to 2017)
When GM brought over the Holden Commodore from Australia to create the Caprice PPV, it seemed like a dream: a rear wheel drive sedan with a big V8, perfect for highway duty. Officers loved the performance, but the honeymoon ended fast. Parts supply was a constant headache, with many components needing to be imported from overseas. When Holden shut down production, things got worse, leaving departments scrambling for replacements. Rear seat space was awkward, making prisoner transport difficult, and mechanical reliability was inconsistent. Once the Caprice disappeared from the lineup, most police departments were relieved to move on, unwilling to deal with the costs and logistical headaches it left behind.
Dodge Intrepid Police Package (1990s to early 2000s)
The Dodge Intrepid seemed like a modern solution in the late 1990s, with front wheel drive and a roomy interior. But departments soon discovered the downsides. The 2.7 liter V6 was notorious for oil sludge and catastrophic engine failure, often at surprisingly low mileage. Transmissions were another weak link, and the overall build quality was no match for heavy police use. Officers also disliked how poorly it handled high speed chases compared to rear wheel drive rivals. Within just a few years, many departments parked their Intrepids for good, and Dodge quietly abandoned the idea of front wheel drive patrol cars.
Ford Explorer Interceptor (Early Models)
Today the Explorer Interceptor is one of the most popular police vehicles in North America, but the early models were riddled with problems. Transmission issues, cooling failures, and the infamous carbon monoxide leaks into the cabin made headlines and forced departments to ground parts of their fleets. Officers complained of headaches and nausea after long shifts, and lawsuits followed. Although Ford eventually issued fixes, the damage to the Explorer’s reputation stuck. Many departments wrote off the early models as unsafe and unreliable, refusing to order more until the design was completely overhauled.
Chevrolet Lumina Police Package (1990s)
Chevrolet’s Lumina was an inexpensive sedan that seemed like an attractive fleet buy in the 1990s. However, once put into service, its shortcomings were clear. The V6 engines lacked the power needed for pursuits, and the automatic transmissions wore out quickly under heavy loads. Front wheel drive made handling unpredictable in high stress driving situations. While they were cheaper upfront, repair bills piled up, making them a false economy. Departments soon abandoned them in favor of sturdier rear wheel drive sedans like the Caprice.
AMC Matador (1970s)
The AMC Matador was AMC’s attempt to break into the police market during the 1970s. While some agencies bought them for their low price, they quickly realized the car was not up to the task. Reliability was inconsistent, handling was sloppy at higher speeds, and parts were harder to source compared to Ford or Chevrolet vehicles. Officers complained about brake fade and overheating during pursuit use. Within a few years, departments dumped the Matador, and AMC’s experiment with police cars ended in failure.
Dodge Diplomat (1980s)
The Dodge Diplomat was a common sight in the 1980s, with many departments using them as patrol cars. Unfortunately, by the late decade, their limitations were obvious. The cars were small and cramped compared to rivals, and the V8s were underpowered, leaving officers struggling in highway pursuits. Rust was a common issue, especially in northern states and Canadian provinces where road salt was used. Compared to the more powerful and durable Chevy Caprice and Ford Crown Victoria, the Diplomat faded into irrelevance, and departments stopped ordering them as soon as better options arrived.
Chevrolet Impala Police Package (2000s)
Chevrolet’s attempt to replace the Crown Victoria with a front wheel drive sedan in the 2000s did not win over many agencies. The Impala Police Package offered decent fuel economy, but the transmission and suspension components wore out quickly under pursuit conditions. Officers also disliked the cramped interiors, particularly with laptops, radios, and body armor taking up space. Engines were reliable enough, but the overall package was not durable enough for the pounding of daily patrol work. Within a decade, the Impala was phased out, and departments switched to SUVs or more robust sedans.
Ford LTD II (Late 1970s)
The Ford LTD II was introduced during the late 1970s, but it arrived at the wrong time. Heavy and sluggish, the LTD II was a poor performer during the fuel crisis era. Departments found it too slow and cumbersome for pursuit duty, and fuel economy was disastrous for fleet budgets. Once Ford launched the Panther platform in the early 1980s, offering lighter and tougher cars, departments abandoned the LTD II and never looked back.
Plymouth Fury (Late 1970s)
Once a dominant presence in police fleets, the Plymouth Fury began to lose favor in the late 1970s. Chrysler’s financial troubles led to inconsistent build quality, and fuel economy was among the worst in its class. Rust and reliability problems meant fleets struggled to keep them on the road. By the 1980s, the Fury was phased out in favor of more dependable Ford and Chevrolet models. Today, while some collectors admire old police spec Furys, departments would never consider them again for real duty.
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