1992 Ford Crown Victoria

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 310 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control25
332
Power Train › Automatic Transmission17
101
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip16
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine13
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline12
030
Exterior Lighting › Headlights11
010
Structure › Frame and Members10
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings10
000
Seats8
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch8
001

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control08V051000
Filed Feb 4, 2008225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly02I003000
Filed Oct 15, 2002350,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Risk. SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.

Remedy. FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.

Electrical System99V124000
Filed May 19, 1999262,695 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.

Risk. A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.

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).

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch97V024000
Filed Mar 4, 1997125,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER CAN WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD.

Risk. EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN THE HOOD OPENING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED HOOD LATCH STRIKER (VEHICLES WITH 1992 MODEL HOODS) OR REVISED STRIKER PLATE ATTACHING FASTENERS (VEHICLES WITH 1993-1997 MODEL HOODS).

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings96I002000
Filed Mar 13, 199617,600 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE LINES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE A SECTION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES IF IT IS LEAKING. ALSO THE RUBBER SHIELD ON THE LINE WILL BE INSPECTED TO VERIFY THAT IT IS PROPERLY LOCATED AND IT WILL BE SECURED WITH AN ADDITIONAL WORM-DRIVE TYPE CLAMP.

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust93V193000
Filed Nov 23, 199316,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. AN UNUSED POWER SEAT HARNESS CONNECTOR IS POSITIONED ON THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT UNDER THE SEAT. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER IN AREAS THAT HAVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF SALT USED FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL, A PUDDLE OF SALTWATER CAN ACCUMULATE ON THE RUBBER FLOOR MATS, REPEATEDLY WETTING THE CONNECTOR. THIS WILL RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR, CAUSING A CURRENT TO FLOW BETWEEN THE TERMINALS WITHOUT TRIPPING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, CURRENT FLOW CAN HEAT THE CONNECTOR ANDRELEASE FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED CONNECTOR AND INSTALL A SEALED HEAT SHRINK CAP OVER THE AFFECTED WIRES.

Unknown or Other92V023000
Filed Feb 19, 199220 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. INCORRECT INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING ASSEMBLIES IN SOME VEHICLES WILL NOT ACTUATE THE "ANTI-LOCK" BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS.

Risk. THE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS OF FMVSS 105.THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE AWARE WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING.

Remedy. MODIFY THE WIRE ASSEMBLY TO ALLOW ACTUATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 7, 2013173,000 milesNE

CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER I LET OFF. I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE IT STOP. THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING. USING 250-280 POUNDS OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I FINALLY STOPPED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT CAN BE VIEWED AT YOUTUBE. IT IS TITLED RAM CAM EPISODE 5. IT IS THE LAST PART OF THE VIDEO. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jul 6, 2011103,500 milesAK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND WOULD ACCELERATE INSTEAD. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HIS CALL WITHIN A FEW DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,500. UPDATED 08/10/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INSTEAD OF DECELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. UPDATED 08/12/11*JB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2010AR

1.RIDING ONE NIGHT HEADLIGHTS JUST GO OFF ON THE HIGHWAY,SMELLED PLASTIC BURNING/ 2.HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATING MELTING PLUG CONNECTED TO WIRING/ HAPPENS ALL THE TIME/ FIRE OR EVEN CAUSE A WRECK OR GET A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. 3.CHANGED SWITCH CHANGED PLUG SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN &AGAIN,LOOKED AT PARTS ON OTHER CARS SAME MODEL SAME YEAR DIFFERENT MODEL DIFFERENT YEAR SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT!! [ THE FORD 1992 CROWN VICTORIA]. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 21, 200891,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FAILURE IN THE FUEL LINE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. AT THE TIME, SHE COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE FUEL LINE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED*JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 17, 2007200,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS, WHICH CAUSED THE FEATURES OF THE STEERING COLUMN NOT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 232,871 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 27, 200733,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES HER VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES TO 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASE. SHE MUST APPLY THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTERWARDS, SHE SMELLS THE SCENT OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE CAUSED BY THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. HE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BRAKE FLUID MAY BE FLOWING TO THE SWITCH AND CAUSING THE HEAT TO ACTIVATE. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE LOSES BRAKE POWER OCCASIONALLY, EVEN THOUGH BRAKE FLUID IS PRESENT. HE ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Nov 3, 2006125,000 milesCA

I PARKED MY 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA ON THE STREET WHILE I WAS AT MY HOME FOR 45 MINUTES. I DECIDED TO LEAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. WHEN I GOT TO MY CAR, I SMELLED BURNING AND SAW WISPS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY ENGINE AREA. I QUICKLY OPENED MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND SMELLED SMOKE AND POPPED THE HOOD. INSIDE, THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE (GRAPEFRUIT SIZE) IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I RAN INTO THE HOUSE AND GOT SOME WATER AND DOUSED THE FLAMES. I WAS VERY LUCKY, BECAUSE I SEEM TO HAVE CAUGHT THE FIRE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF WHEN IT STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THEY REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND A WIRING HARNESS THAT HAD BURNED (AT MY EXPENSE). THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I CALLED FORD TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS UNDER RECALL BACK IN 1999, AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED ON 7/7/1999 WHEN MY DAD OWNED THE CAR. THIS WAS ACTUALLY EVEN MORE CONCERNING TO ME, BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH, WHICH SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE ORIGINAL SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION PROBLEM, SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL!! SO MY CAR IS NOW ON ITS SECOND "FIXED" CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. I AM ALSO CONCERNED FROM MY DISCUSSION WITH THE NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE. HE SAID THAT NO RECALLS CAN BE ISSUED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE OVER 10 YEARS OLD. HE THEN TOLD ME THAT MY COMPLAINT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE MY CAR WAS OVER 10 YEARS OLD. I DON'T EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED FROM MY EXPERIENCE WIT

Steering › Column
Filed Oct 15, 2005KS

THIS PROBLEM CONCERNS THE STEERING COLUMN OF A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA RUBBING AGAINST A METAL GAS LINE UNTIL LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS SPILL ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND CAUSE A SAFETY OF LIFE PROBLEM... AS LONG AS THE ENGINE REMAINS ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP WILL CONTINUE TO PUMP GAS ONTO THE FIRE CAUSED BY THE FAULT. PLEASE NOTICE THAT I AM AN ENGINEER AND THIS IS NOT A SMALL MATTER - IT INVOLVES MANY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES AND AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE HAS HAD A RECALL - YET FORD HAS NOT HAD A RECALL ON THIS MODEL ALTHOUGH I TOOK THIS ISSUE TO THE TOP OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE ISSUE DEALS WITH A GASOLINE LEAK CAUSED BY THE STEERING COLUMN RUBBING ON A METAL GAS LINE - CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK FROM THE WORN GAS LINE IN LARGE AMOUNTS. I FIRST NOTICED THE LEAK FROM THE SMELL OF GAS - THEN I NOTICED LARGE POOLS OF GAS LEAKING FROM UNDER MY CAR. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, WHICH WAS THE ROTATING STEERING COLUMN RUBBING ON THE GAS LINE, I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER AND I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO PUT ME OFF TO AN AREA PERSON WHO REBUFFED MY COMPLAINT. THE DEALER SHOWED ME A RECALL FOR THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.... THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA ARE IDENTICAL IN THIS RESPECT.... THE RECALL SHOWED THE EXACT GAS LINE AND THE PROBLEM.... CHECK FOR YOURSELF.... THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA ARE EXACTLY THE SAME UNDER THE HOOD. THE RECALL SHOWED THE SAME GAS LINE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE A CREDIBLE ORGAN

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed May 1, 2005MT

MY FATHER BOUGHT A USED 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LS. WHEN YOU TURN ON THE PARK OR DRIVING LIGHTS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS SO DIM YOU CAN HARDLY READ THE SPEEDOMETER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR MY FATHER AND IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IN THE EVENING, THE PROBLEM RESOLVES ITSELF, IT IS DURING THE DAY.*AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 28, 2005100,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD HE NOTICED THAT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. *NM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE. *BF

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Feb 28, 2005MD

CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL STATES FOR THE FORD F150 TRUCKS. CONSUMER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HOWEVER, THIS HAPPENED IN 1992. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Feb 21, 2005116,666 milesNY

FUEL RETURN LINE FROM ENGINE TO TANK RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A FUEL LEAK THAT CREATED A FIRE HAZARD.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Dec 8, 200411,780 milesMI

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE LEAK DUE WHERE IT PASSES (PAIRED WITH THE RETURN LINE - ALSO LEAKING) UNDER THE LEFT REAR FRAME ARCH. LINES WERE WORN THROUGH WHERE THEY CONTACTED FRAME (SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHIELDED OR CLAMPED). REPAIRED (SINCE PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE PAIRED WITH BRAKE LINES FOR$400+ FROM DEALER) USING BULK STEEL TUBE WITH COMPRESSION FITTINGS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Aug 5, 200481,900 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW UP AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LATCH, BUT IT WAS ONLY FOR CROWN VICTORIA POLICE CARS. *AK RECALL#97V024000. THE FAN BELT HAD GONE OUT ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING. *SC *JB

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air Suspension System
Filed Jul 11, 2004AL

REAR AIR RIDE SUSPENSION PUMP FAILURE . THE PUMP FAILS TO AIR UP THE REAR OF THE VECHILE, RESULTING IN THE REAR OF THE VECHILE TO DRAG ON BUMPS, DIPS, ECT. *AK

Seats
Filed May 18, 200484,000 milesMA

(1.) MY CAR IS A 1992 FORD, CROWN VICTORIA LX. - I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND LEANED BACK ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OUT OF MY PANTS POCKET. AS I PRESSED ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT THERE WAS A METALIC "SNAP" SOUND AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT FLOPPED BACK 3 TO 4 INCHES ON THE DRIVER DOOR SIDE. LATER ON VIEWING THE SEAT FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE BRAKE PEDDLE I WAS ABLE TO DETERMING THAT A WELDED IN CIRCULAR, THREADED, METAL, TAPPED FASTENER, (A CUSTOM MADE NUT) HAD TORN THROUGH THE PRESSED METAL FRAM THAT ATTACHED IT TO THE MOTORIZED PORTION OF THE SEAT. THE RESULTING HOLE IN THE PRESSED METAL FRAME COMPONENT WAS ABOUT ONE INCH IN DIAMETER. (2) THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT MAKES THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. (3.) I HAVE CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NONE RELATING TO THE SEAT EXCEPT FOR AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I HAVEN'T REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AS YET BUT I WILL LIKELY GO TO A AUTOMOBILE RECYCLING YARD AND LOOK FOR ANOTHER SEAT. OF COURSE INSPECTING FIRST FOR THE SAME FAILURE. ALSO, AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT . AND IT ONLY HAS 84,000. MILES ON IT.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 3, 200497,000 milesVA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 1999 FOR THE 1992 CROWN VICTORIA'S. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2004120,000 milesCA

I HAVE THIS CAR FOR 11 YRS AND WAS VERY UPSET WHEN THE TRAN WENT OUT ON VACATION AT 83000 MILES. I HAD NO OTHER WAY OUT BUT TO GET A LIFE TIME WARRANTY ON A NEW TRAN FROM AAMCO KNOWING I WOULD HAVE THE CAR FOR MANY MORE YEARS. IM GLAD I DID BECAUSE AFTER A YEAR IT WENT OUT AGAIN AND AAMCO HAD TO FOOT THE BILL BUT IT CAUSED ME TIME. THE WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT TWICE IN THE FRONT. ONCE IN 1995 AND 2003. PAIN IN THE BUTT IF YOU LIVE IN SO. CAL. WOULD I BUY THE CRN VIC AGAIN? YES.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 26, 2003AL

ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL (COMPUTER) FAILED TWICE CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Dec 26, 2003AL

GEAR SHIFT LEVER SHAFT BROKE PREVENTING OPERATOR FROM REMOVING FROM PARK. *AK

20 of 310 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
1992 — this page3109243Fatalities reported
199155450Routine
199043370Routine

Compare every Crown Victoria year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: Feb 4, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.