1990 Ford Crown Victoria

Routine

Owners filed 43 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Ford Crown Victoria years to avoid. Which Ford Crown Victoria years to avoid →

Most common 1990 Ford Crown Victoria problems

10 of the 43 complaints (23%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration5
503
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module · airbags4
000
Electrical System › Wiring3
030
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · fuel system2
010
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch2
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags2
101
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint98V322000
Filed Dec 16, 1998175,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings92V075000
Filed May 19, 199225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.

Risk. INADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE ABRASION OF THE BRAKE LINEAND A LEAK CAN DEVELOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKESYSTEM AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy. REPAIR ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. RELOCATE LINES, IF NECESSARY.

Air Bags › Frontal90E043001
Filed Oct 30, 1990172,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Risk. INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy. REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Jan 23, 2003MD

CONSUMER STATED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL#98V32000 LOWER CONTROL ARM. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN IS NOT INCLEDED. TS

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Mar 8, 2002CT

WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2002NY

CONSUMER STATED THE GASKET ON THE OIL PAN FAILED CAUSING A SERIOUS LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART AT NO CHARGE, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED ANOTHER OIL PAN GASKET LEAK, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART AGAIN.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Sep 4, 2001PA

AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 90 E 043 001 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Oct 26, 2000OH

VEHICLE HAS STALLED 3 DAYS IN A ROW. DEALER WILL AGREE TO FIX VEHICLE AT THE CONSUMER'S COST. BUT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK THE IGNITION MODULE IS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN THE OVERHEATING OF THE MODULE AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 20, 2000AZ

VEHICLE STALLS IN HOT WEATHER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH INFREQUENT PRESENTS ANY LONG TRIPS. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 5, 2000TX

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION. BUT, TIRE DID NOT FLATTEN OUT RIGHT AWAY. FIRESTONE FR505 P215/70 R15. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Feb 9, 2000NC

REAR BRAKES WENT OUT DUE TO CORROSION. THIS CAUSED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ALSO, FUEL RETURN LINE IS CORRODING. DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Aug 29, 1999CA

1ST TIME-PUT ON BRAKES, CAR KEPT GOING. SLAMMED ON BRAKES WHICH LOCKED AND SCREECHED, BUT CAR KEPT ON GOING. REAR-ENDED A VEHICLE. @ND TIME- CAR KEPT GOING FASTER. TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR BUT CONTINUED TO INCREASE SPEED. PUT FOOT ON BRAKES. SLOWED DOWN ONLY A LITTLE. AS SOON AS FOOT OFF BRAKES, CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKES WITH ONLY SOME SLOWING. SEMI-TRUCK STOPPED, BUT I COULDN'T. SWERVED JUST IN TIME. CROSS TRAFFIC SO SWERVED INTO MOBILE GAS STATION. SLOWER BUT HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO AVOID RUNNING INTO BUILDING. GARAGE COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. LEFT AT L.J. FORD IN COLTON FOR 12 DAYS. ALSO COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR CO. SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND CAR PAST WARRANTY SO COULD DO NOTHING. CAR VERY UNSAFE. SCARED TO DRIVE! NEED A CAR. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO? PLEASE ADVISE!!! CALLED AAA WHO REFERRED ME TO OTHER AGENCIES WHO REFERRED ME TO MORE AGENCIES WHO COULD NOT HELP ME.SLOWING.

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Jun 18, 1999FL

CAR WAS OFF AND STARTED ON FIRE. STARTER WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ENGINE BY ITSELF. NOBODY WAS IN THE CAR. CAR BURNED TO GROUND. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Apr 20, 1999FL

COSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED DUE TO HANGING UP AND NOT BRAKING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE OVERDRIVE HUNG UP AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP'S #800-683-5112---WORLD FORD DEALERSHIP, HOMESTEAD, PA. CONSUMER. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING, GAUGE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES, FULL TANK IS REGISTERING (E) EMPTY. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 9, 1999NY

WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE UP, PUT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT A POLE, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED.*AK

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed Jan 28, 1999SC

WHILE PARKED ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE ALTENATOR WIRING HARNESS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jan 21, 1999NY

WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AND PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 40 MPH. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A METAL POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 21, 1999NY

CONSUMER STARTED AUTOMOBILE UP AND IT TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. VEHICLE HIT A POLE, INJURING THE DRIVER'S WIFE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 10, 1998TX

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN PUTTING FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T CHANGE GEARS UNLESS IT WAS IN OVERDRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Oct 14, 1997NY

POWER LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Sep 18, 1997NY

WHENEVER TRYING TO BUCKLE THE REAR SAFETY BELT, IT WILL NOT CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE, SOMETIMES WHEN IT WILL BUCKLE, IT JUST COMES UNBUCKLED WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE ON THE RELEASE BUTTON. *AK *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 21, 1997PA

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING FAILURE OF RADIO, CLOCK, AIR CONDITIONER, TURN SIGNALS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 14, 1997VA

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Jun 11, 1997MA

WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Feb 10, 1997LA

OWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, OWNER IS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY; SHE ALSO NOTES THAT DEALER SAID THAT A KIT IS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 19, 1996NH

POLICE PACKAGE, VEHICLE HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH NO WARNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS BRAKING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT.*AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorFire
Filed Jul 22, 1996TX

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE WIRING AROUND THE ALTERNATOR WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Jul 10, 1996NY

DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 30 MPH, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jun 25, 1996NY

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO FAILED SENSOR/MONITOR. *DH

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jun 11, 1996MA

PUT IN REVERSE AND CAR OVER ACCELLERATED. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed May 6, 1996CA

IGNITION SWITCH LETS OFF A METALIC ODOR. *SD

Electrical System › IgnitionFire
Filed May 1, 1996NY

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER TURNING THE KEY, RESULTING IN A TOTALLED FIRE, POSSIBLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IGNITION. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Mar 21, 1996NE

PURCHASED CAR NEW, ONE OUT OF THREE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE DEFECTIVE. DEALER CAN'T REPLACE ONE, HAS TO REPLACE ALL THREE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 6, 1995TX

BRAKE LINE WAS RUBBING AGAINST AIR INJECTOR TUBE, LEAKED BRAKE FLUID. TT THIS SITUATION CAUSED BRAKES TO GO OUT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR INJECTOR TUBE, MOUNTED ALONSIDE THE BRAKE LINE, TO RUB A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE, BRAKE LINE WAS REPAIRED, CONSUMER DOESNOT FEEL HE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS.*JB

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 25, 1995MD

SRS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON WHEN TEMPTURE ABOVE 85 DEGREES. TT

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Oct 17, 1995OH

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, NEEDS REPLACING. TT

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Sep 20, 1995CA

EXPERIENCING LOOSE STEERING PROBLEM, DEALER CAN NOT FIND THE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. TT

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsFire
Filed Jun 20, 1995NJ

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 30 MPH, FUEL LINE HOSE BROKE, CAUSING UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. TT

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jun 6, 1995VA

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEP COMING ON . TT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed May 9, 1995KS

INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO EGR VALVE FAILURE (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 486389). *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 4, 1995NH

AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WAS VIOLENT, CAUSING DRIVER'S ARM TO BE THROWN INTO WINDSHIELD, SHATTERING WINDSHIELD/INJURY. *SKD

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 20, 1995CA

ENGINE DID NOT CUT OFF AFTER FRONT END COLLISION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Mar 20, 1995OR

FRONT BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. *SKD

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Mar 13, 1995NJ

REAR AXLE BROKE, WHEEL SEPARATED FROM REAR AXLE. TT

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Feb 5, 1995NY

SIDE WINDOW VENTS FAIL TO DEFROST ( OTHER VEHICLES 0N 479656 AND 479657). *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 23, 1995AZ

LEFT REAR STEELBELT SEPARATED FROM FIRESTONE TIRE, ALSO LEFT FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED SMALL BULGE. *SKD

All 43 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1992
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201123200Routine
201012200Routine
200944220Routine
200850331Fatalities reported
200750411Fatalities reported
200653301Fatalities reported
2005193621Fatalities reported
2004138340Routine
2003249740Above average
200258530Routine
200153720Routine
2000851020Routine
1999134841Fatalities reported
19981191060Routine
199728811150Above average
199627612164Fatalities reported
199525012110Above average
19941927142Fatalities reported
19931829114Fatalities reported
19923109243Fatalities reported
199155450Routine
1990 — this page43370Routine

Compare every Crown Victoria year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 16, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.