1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH A POLICE INTERCEPTOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT IT DID NOT STOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE DID STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET IT HAD TO BE PUSHED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER OF RECALL 98I001000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION, HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2005. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

STEEL BRAKE LINE ON 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA RUSTED OUT. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT MAKING THE BRAKES INOPERATIVE. HAD REPAIRS DONE AT LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE NOTICED SMOKE FILLING UP INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THEN LIFTED THE HOOD AND FLAMES BEGAN TO RISE. THE WIRES TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKES WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THERE WERE RECALLS FOR TRUCKS OF THAT LINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE FORD DEALER. THE POWER TRAIN AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA AT 45 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP LIGHT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN. , THEN THE FRONT BRAKES ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED INTO THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED FLUID ON THE GROUND BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BRAKE LINE ROTTED. *AK

Mileage: 64,000

METAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND LEAKING TO LOSS OF BRAKE LINES TO BE REPLACED. *JB

Mileage: 68,500

I EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM AND REAR HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO CORRODED(RUSTED) BRAKE LINE (PIPING) WITHIN ONE YEAR. I ALSO EXPERIENCED FUEL TANK FAILURE DUE TO RUST AT TANK SEAM AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME. TANK FAILED 11/30/03, FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 03/16/04, REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 12/04, BOTH DUE TO PIPING RUST OUT. *JB

Mileage: 111,175

YOUR AGENCY HAS CONTACTED ME TWICE, CONCERNING A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. I HAVE LOCATED THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE THAT YOU INQUIRED ABOUT, THE PIECE THAT WAS CUT OUT FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS NUMBER MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH MY COMPLIANT EA03012. I JUST CAN NOT REMEMBER THE GENTLEMANS NAME THAT FIRST CALLED ME. LATER AN ATTORNEY CALLED REPRESENTING HERSELF AS BEING WITH YOUR AGENCY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AGAIN.*AK

ON 10-24-04 OUR VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AS DESCRIPED ON YOUR WEBSITE. FORD REFUSES TO COVER. MAKE: FORD MODEL: CROWN VICTORIA TYPE: ANY YEAR: 1997 RECALL NUMBER: 98I001000 SUMMARY: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR OWNERS OF CERTAIN 1995-1997 CROWN VICTORIA MODEL VEHICLES WITH POLICE, TAXI, AND COMMERCIAL FLEET PACKAGES AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES WITH THE LIVERY PACKAGE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD CAUSE WEAR OF THE BRAKE LINES. CONSEQUENCE: THIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LOSS FOR THE REAR BRAKES AND, POTENTIALLY, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES FOR WEAR, INSTALL TWO NEW TUBE BUNDLE CLIPS, AND CHECK THE BRAKE LINES FOR PROPER CLEARANCES. IF THE BRAKE LINES ARE WORN, THE DAMAGED SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED. NOTES: NOTE: FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. HTTP://WWW-SA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RESULTS.CFM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT DESCENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WORE OUT, CAUSING MASTER CYLINDER TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH, THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. AFTERWARDS, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WORE OUT, CAUSING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO LOSE BRAKE FLUID. *AK RECALL#98I001000. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BOTH BRAKE LINES OF THE REAR WHEELS WERE REPLACED, ONE WAS WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THE OTHER WAS WORN BUT NOT COMPLETELY THROUGH. *SC *JB

Mileage: 67,000

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS A DELAY IN BRAKING, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE WAS WORN AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. *AK *CB *JB

Mileage: 70,000

BRAKE LINE FORWARD OF REAR AXLE AND ABOVE FUEL FILTER RUBS ON CAR BODY, RESULTING IN A HOLE IN BRAKE LINE. *JB

Mileage: 112,000

BRAKE FAILURE- 97 CROWN VICTORIA. BRAKE LINE RUBBED THROUGH BY TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBER- CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL DURING DRIVING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND FAULTY LINE OR REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIRS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON AND SHOULD NOT HAVE WORN THROUGH ALREADY.*AK

Mileage: 36,820

THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY. *AK *PH *JB

CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS IN RECALL 98I001000 CONCERNING THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK *SCC *JB

THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR BRAKES TO FAIL. *JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

Mileage: 103,000

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THEY DID NOT HOLD, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HAVING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT BECAUSE OF A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. MR A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN EXTENDED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. *JG REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

Mileage: 90,000

CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH NOTICE ANTI FREEZE BURNING SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STOPPED A SERVICE STATION AND NOTICE ANTI FREEZE ALL OVER ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE BY TECHNICIAN AND REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD. NLM HEATER HOSE LEAKING COOLANT, ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. *YH REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

ABS APPLIED BRAKES WITH CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 65 MPH, THAN BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO RIGHT FRONT WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, LEFT FRONT BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE LEFT, ALSO LOST BRAKE POWER WHERE YOU HAD TO REALLY GET ON THE BRAKES TO GET THE CAR TO STOP LIKE THE CAR HAD NO POWER BRAKES AT ALL, CAR RIGHT NOW SETS IN THE DRIVEWAY AS MY WIFE DRIVES THE CARS AND I FEEL IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAR IS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CRASH AND I FEEL IT IS TO DANGEROUS TO ALLOW MY FAMILY TO BE IN THE CAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD WORN THROUGH. IT COST ME ABOUT $81.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED.*AK

BRAKE LINE HAS 1 1/4 LONG CHAFFING OR RUB AREA CAUSING LINE TO FAIL. UNDER BLACK RUBBER PAD DESIGN TO ELIMINATE CHAFFING PROBLEM. AREA IS NEXT TO DRIVERS SIDE OF TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER. APPEARS BLACK RUBBER PAD DID NOT PREVENT CHAFFING. MADE TEMPERORY ROADSIDE REPAIR TO KEEP CAR HOME. REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 8/27/2001. ASSIGNED REFERENCE NUMBER 9005812234. I HAVE FAIED BRAKE LINE AVAILABLE FOR INVESTIGATION.*AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

ENGINE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND STARTED TO SPIT OUT ANTI-FREEZE AND WATER. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER REPLACED ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME MODELS, HOWEVER HIS WAS NOT INCLUDED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. *SLC

CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES JUST LIKE MENTIONE DIN RECALL 98 I 001 000. BRAKE LINE WORE OUT, THIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LOSS FOR REAR BRAKES. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

THIS IS A SHERIFFS' PATROL VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR BRAKES RUBBED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FLOOR-BOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNTIL IT WORE THROUGH. THE BRAKES FAILED AT THIS POINT. WE HAVE CONFIRMED THIS PROBLEM ON TWO MORE IDENTICAL PATROL UNITS. NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED YET BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE. BRAKE LOSS IS REPORTED AS SPONTANEOUS AND FORTUNATLY, IN OUR THREE INCIDENTS, IT HAS OCCURED AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED.

THE BRAKE LINE THAT GOES TO THE REAR BRAKES, RUBBED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FLOOR BOARD UNTIL IT WORE THROUGH. THIS CAUSED SPONTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED IN TWO OTHER INCIDENTS WITH IDENTICAL VEHICLESIN OUR FLEET . *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

BRAKE LINES ARE RUBBING THROUGH IN TWO PLACES UNDER THE CAR THIS IS THE THIRD CROWN VIC THAT HAS DONE THIS IN PAST TWO WEEKS.I HAVE CALLED FORD BUT THEY KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND.I;M AFRAID THAT SOME ONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED .CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHATS GOING ON. *AK

CARS BRAKE LINE HAS RUBBED THROUGH. *AK

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE(S) RUBBED AGAINST BODY PARTS CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. DEALER WILL NOT CONSIDER AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE APPEARS TO BE SEVERAL MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM, BUT DEALER SAYS WARRANTY REPAIRS ONLY APPLY TO POLICE VEHICLES. WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US? REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

BRAKE LINE FORWARD OF REAR AXLE AND ABOVE FUEL FILTER RUBS ON CAR BODY, RESULTING IN A HOLE IN BRAKE LINE.

BRAKE LINE FORWARD OF REAR AXLE AND ABOVE FUEL FILTER RUBS ON CAR BODY, RESULTING IN A HOLE IN BRAKE LINE.

THE HYDRAULIC LINE BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE REAR BRAKES HAD A HOLE RUBBED THROUGH WHERE IT WAS CONTACTING THE FRAME. THIS IS WAS VERIFIED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE REPAIRS. I HAVE THE LINE ITSELF AS EVIDENCE. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF BOTH GREGG MOTORS AND THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE AND THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO ALARM THEM. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND FEEL THAT THE LINE WAS EITHER INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE FRAME AT ASSEMBLY OR IT WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT THE PROPER SPACERS TO KEEP IT FROM RUBBING. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WOULD FORWARD THE INFORMATION TO THE ENGINEERS. I ASKED IF SOMEONE COULD GET BACK TO ME AND THEY STATED THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE. I WAS CHARGED A $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE WORK. THE VEHICLE IS LEASED TO MY EMPLOYER BERGSTROM, INC. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM ? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER VEHICLES THAT MAY EXPERIENCE BRAKE FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A BRAKE LINE FAILING AFTER 3 YEARS DUE TO RUBBING ON THE FRAME. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE TO THE LINE OR TO THE VEHICLE. I CAN SEND SOME DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE BRAKE LINE IF IT HELPS YOUR INVESTIGATION. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

WHILE GOING DOWN A SLIGHT ENBANKMENT, BRAKES APPLIED AND LOCKED UP. VEHICLE ALMOST HIT A TREE. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE ABS. *AK *ML

DISC BRAKE ROTORS WARPING,CAUSING VIBRATION DURING BRAKING. THIRD INCIDENCE IN 35,500 MILES. *AK

NOTICE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. MANFACTURE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK

BRAKE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF BRAKE FLUID. MJS

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AFTER LEAVING GAS STATION. UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE IN APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET. LOST CONTROL, RESULTIN GIN A CRASH. 3 PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. ALSO, BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS NOISE. THE CALIPERS WERE NOT TIGHTENED WHICH MAY CAUSE MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

I AM A MECHANIC FOR THE CITY AND WANT TO REPORT THIS TO YOU AS ALL OF OUR CARS HAVE THE LINE RUBBING THE FRAME AT THE REAR AND ONE HAS RUBBED THROUGH. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUBS AT THE CROSSMEMBER IN THE FRONT. FORD FACTORY REP. WAS CONTACTED AND STATED HE HAS HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS BUT, THE RECALL ONLY COVERS THE FRONT. AS A MECHANIC FOR THE POLICE DEPT. WE SEE ALOT OF PROBLEMS BEFORE THE PUBLIC AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A REAL DANGER AS THE LINE WILL FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THANK YOU.

THE BRAKE LINE ON THE LEFT SIDE, MIDWAY OF THE VEHICLE, RUBS AGAINST THE FRAME, CAUSING A HOLE AND THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

POWER ASSIST ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WHILE MAKING A "U" TURN AND BRAKING AT 20MPH. THE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB AND TRAVERSED THE SIDE WALK.

POWER ASSIST ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WHILE MAKING A "U" TURN AND BRAKING AT 20MPH. THE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB AND TRAVERSED THE SIDE WALK.

BRAKE COOSTER FAILED TO ASSIST THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM, AND DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN RESULTING IN A REAR-ENDED CRASH. DRIVER STATED THAT THE PEDAL WAS GOING TO THE FLOOR.

BRAKE COOSTER FAILED TO ASSIST THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM, AND DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN RESULTING IN A REAR-ENDED CRASH. DRIVER STATED THAT THE PEDAL WAS GOING TO THE FLOOR.

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON TWO CROWN VICTORIA VEHICLES.

BRAKE LINES MOUNTE UNDER LEFT FRONT REAR RUBBED THROUGH, CAUSING LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID/BRAKE FAILURE.

STEEL BRAKE FLUID LINE RUBBED FLOOR, CAUSING STEEL LINE TO WEAR THROUGH AND LEAK.

REAR BRAKE LINES RUB ON BODY ON DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER DUE TO DESIGN LOCATION.

BRAKE LINE LOCATED NEAR TRANSMISSION HAS SHEARED THROUGH, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES, MASSIVE FAILURE. BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR. DRIVER HAD TO PUMP BRAKES ,WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP. THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

THE BRAKE LINE IS MOUNTED SO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRANSMISSION THAT A HOLE WAS RUBBED THROUGH BY THE METAL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. SHOP UNABLE TO FIND HOSE TO REPLACE. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

BRAKE FAILURE.

BRAKE LINE IS NOT COVERER TO PROTECT IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON UNPAVED AREA.

(1) OUT OF (10) VEHICLES IN FLEET LOST BRAKES COMPLETELY BECAUSE THE BRAKES LINES CROSSED THE FRAME, CAUSING A HOLE TO RUB IN BRAKE LINE. OTHER (9) VEHCLE WERE CHECKED AND FLAT SPOTS WERE FOUND, BUT HAD NOT WORN INTO HOLES. ALL VEHICLES IN THE FLEET WERE REPAIRED. *AK

BRAKE LINE WORN FROM RUBBING AGAINST VEHICLES BODY PARTS, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE.

BRAKE LINE WORN FROM RUBBING AGAINST VEHICLES BODY PARTS, RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE. REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

BRAKE LINE INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO FLOOR PAN, BRAKE LINE RUBS AGAINST FLOOR, CAUSING HOLE IN BRAKES LINE, THIS DEFECT CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENT. *AK