1991 Ford Crown Victoria

Routine

Owners filed 55 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control6
300
Air Bags › Frontal5
212
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline4
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
101
Air Bags3
100
Unknown or Other2
000
Tires › Tread/Belt2
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery2
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch2
000

4 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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission91V048000
Filed Mar 18, 19916,800 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.

Risk. IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.

Remedy. REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed Sep 9, 20172,000 milesKY

YOUR SELECTION OPTIONS DO NOT HAVE THE YEAR OF THE CAR, MAKE, MODEL, TIRE SIZE OR TIRE MODEL SO I FILLED SOMETHING IN TO ALLOW ME TO GO FURTHER ON YOUR OPTIONS RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT ON MY 1938 STUDEBAKER STATE COMMANDER. I WAS DOING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MILES PER HOUR. I DID NOT HIT ANY POT HOLES OR GET A PUNCTURE. THE INSIDE CORD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE AND SHREDDED THE INNER TUBE. I CONTACTED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, MCCREARY TIRE & RUBBER BUT HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THEM. THIS IS A GENERAL TIRE BRAND AND THE JET AIR MODEL. THE TIRE NUMBER IS CYWMC4D82211. THE TIRE SIZE IS 6.00 X 16. I REALIZE THE TIRE IS SIX YEARS OLD BUT IT ONLY HAS 2000 MILES ON IT AND I AM WORRIED THE OTHER TIRES ON THE CAR CAN HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN TOO THEM. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A DEFECT ON A SINGLE TIRE OR IS THIS A MFG RUN PROBLEM? THREE POLICE OFFICERS PULLED UP BEHIND ME PUT ON THERE SAFETY LIGHTS AND THEN CHANGED THE TIRE FOR ME. I'M A 71 YEAR OLD DISABLED VET.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 20, 2006100,000 milesIL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP, THE GEARSHIFT WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, BOUNCED OVER A HIGH CURB, AND WAS FISHTAILING. THE CONTACT ESTIMATED THE SPEED TO HAVE REACHED 70 MPH BEFORE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL HAD SEIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 2, 200389,000 milesAL

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING THE CONSUMER SMELLED A HEAVY SCENT OF OIL BURNING. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING AT A HIGH RATE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WOULD NOT GO INTO THIRD OR FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BUSHING WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. HOWEVER, THE BUSHING SHOULD BE MADE FROM METAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED. *AK WHEN THE CABLE LINKAGE WAS DISCONNECTED, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CLUTCH WOULD OCCUR. (LOCKING UP THE HIGHER TWO GEARS, WITHOUT THE LOCK UP ONLY THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR WOULD WORK) *SCC *JB

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Filed Feb 12, 2003IL

THE CONSUMER NOTICED AN INDENTION IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE SPARE TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS DAMAGED ON THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE JACK POLE. *SCC *JB

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorFire
Filed May 3, 2002GA

ALTERNATOR PLUG SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A HIGH POTENTIONAL OVERLOAD THAT CAUGHT THE ALTERNATOR ON FIRE. THE SHORT DID NOT TRIP ANY FUSE IN VEHICLE. FIRE WAS VERY INTENSE. THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD TO ADJACENT COMPONENT AND MELTED PLUG WIRES, WIRE HARNESSES. FIRE ALSO DAMAGED HOOD AND RIGHT FRONT FENDER. THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY SPREADING WHEN HELP ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. AND YET NO FUSE EVER TRIPPED TO ENGINE ELECTRICAL TO STOP SHORT!

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jan 31, 2002FL

WHILE DRIVING AROUND CORNERS OR SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE WOULD STALL, DEALER CONTACTED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT OWNERS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTIONED IGNITION.*AK *SLC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 11, 2002FL

WHEN MAKING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS. DEALER HAS REPLACED IDLE SENSOR, HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 21, 2001FL

VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN DAYS, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND, CAUSE OF FIRE NOT DETERMINED YET. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD ENGINEER TOLD HIM THAT FAULTY COMPONENTS WOULD CAUSE A FIRE. *YD

Air Bags
Filed Oct 9, 2001PA

CAR HAS STARTED TO STALL REPEATEDLY AT IDLE OR NEAR IDLE SPEEDS BUT NOT CONSISTANTLY, OTHERWISE RUNS FINE. AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO BLINKS ON AND OFF 9 TIMES STOPS AND RE STARTS BLINKS CONSISTANTLY, WORKS?*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 27, 2001TX

WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 20, 2001FL

WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH AND HAD JUST WENT OVER A BRIDGE HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. NOTICED IN REAR VIEW MIRROR THAT TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE AND WAS LEFT ON THE ROAD. 1991, FORD, LTD, P215/70R15 WITH 53,000 MILES. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Oct 5, 2000NY

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND HE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WASN'T NOTIFIED, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 13, 2000TX

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK TIRE ON THE VEHICLE CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. *MJS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 31, 2000MI

FLUIDS ALL OK, FUEL PUMP/FILTER REPLACED, DISTRIBUTOR, STARTER, & ALT REPLACED

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 22, 1999NY

THE MANUFACTURER, FORD MOTORS, ADMITS THAT THE PAINT ON ITS 1991 CROWN VICTORIA IS DEFECTIVE, BUT IT OFFERS NO REPAIR OR COMPENSATION FOR THE PROBLEM. IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR TO HAVE THE CAR PROPERLY REPAINTED AND I WOULD LIKE FORD MOTORS TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Oct 21, 1999TX

WHEN GEAR INDICATOR IS PUT INTO DRIVE THE GEAR SHIFT WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 1ST GEAR. DEALER REPLACED CABLE LINKAGE AND PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 28, 1999CT

NO SUMMARY.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Sep 20, 1999IL

ENGINE SURGES TO 3000 RPMS DURING IDLING FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS, THEN GOES BACK DOWN. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 8, 1999NY

THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS FLASHING CONSTANTLY. THE OWNERS MANUAL MAKES REFERENCE TO AN INDICATOR THAT IS NOT ON WHEN IT SHOULD BE, OR AN INDICATOR THAT IS CONSTANTLY ON. IN THIS CASE, THE INDICATOR IS FLASHING IN CYCLES; 9 TIMES IN SUCCESSION , A PAUSE, THEN 9 TIMES, A PAUSE, ETC., ETC, ETC. THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 8, 1999NY

THE LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR IS ON AT ALL TIMES WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THANK GOODNESS THERE IS A TRIP ODOMETER IN THE CAR AS I USE THAT TO ESTIMATE WHEN TO REFUEL. 200 MILES, OR ONCE A WEEK, SEEMS TO BE A REASONABLE LIMIT. THE INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON, AS IT SHOULD, WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED TO THE 'ON' POSITION.

20 of 55 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
1991 — this page55450Routine
199043370Routine

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.