1993 Ford Crown Victoria

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 182 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 9 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
121,911 milesMedian miles at failure

26 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control21
011
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter15
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission12
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline9
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip8
000
Seats7
100
Unknown or Other6
010
Air Bags › Frontal5
405
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control4
020
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly4
000

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.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Arm95V194000
Filed Oct 11, 199557,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS TO THE FRAME MOUNTING BRACKETS CAN LOOSEN AND FRACTURE AT ONE OF THE BOLT HOLES CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL NEGATIVE CAMBER AND STEERING PULL TO THE AFFECTED SIDE.

Risk. IF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRACKET FRACTURED AT BOTH BOLT HOLES, THE STEERING CONTROL ARM CAN CONTACT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE LEVELS OF THE FOUR UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BOLTS, AND IF ANY ARE LOOSE, THE BRACKETS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE IS PRESENT, IT WILL BE REPAIRED.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 9, 201895,000 milesMD

HOOD LATCH STRIKER BECAME UNATACHED WHILE DRIVING. HOOD RATTLED AND ROSE UP SLIGHTLY RELYING SOLY ON SAFETY LATCH. THE CAR WAS MANUFATURED IN CANADA AND THE VIN NO. DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO FORD. NO RECALLS SENT TOUS AS ORIGINAL OWNERS; ALTHOUGH ONE IS ON THE INTERNET 97V024000!!!

Electrical System
Filed Feb 28, 2015CA

*BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES, RESULTING GEAR SHIFT TO BE STUCK IN PARK. *CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. *TR

Suspension
Filed Feb 27, 2014133,000 milesOR

I WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR FELL TO THE GROUND WITH A SEVERE GRINDING NOISE. *TR

Seats
Filed Aug 9, 2013MO

I BOUGHT A USED 1993 FORD CROWN VIC APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO, WHILE I EXPECTED I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MONEY INTO REPAIRS THE ONE THING I DIDN'T EXPECT WOULD BE HAVING TO REPAIR A SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP & OR MATERIALS. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AT VARIOUS SITES I FOUND THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT FRAME SHEARING AWAY FROM THE BOLTS IN CROWN VICS.I TRIED CONTACTING BOTH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP & THE CORPORATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPT WITH NO SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION TO THIS MATTER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS DEFECT FLAW IN CROWN VICS THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS ALSO NEED TO BE LOOKED AT ON THIS ISSUE AS I'VE SEEN SOME POSTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THAT MAKE & MODEL. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 29, 2011142,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO ABRUPTLY FLY OPEN, OBSCURING THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CLOSE HIS HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 142,000.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Arm
Filed Sep 15, 2010140,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS ALSO DAMAGED AS WELL, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING ,WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM. HE REFERENCED THE RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM (95V194000) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jan 6, 2010132,905 milesMS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON WITH THE GEAR IN PARK THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. MOMENTS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD BEGUN ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT NOTICED PRIOR THAT FORD RECALL #08V051000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132905.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed May 17, 2008100,000 milesMS

FORD 1963 CROWN VICTORIA XL DRIVERS SIDE DOOR POPS OPEN WHILE MOVING. *TR

Seats
Filed May 4, 2008160,000 milesMO

DRIVERS SEAT LEANS BACK, POSSIBLE BROKEN FLOOR BOLT LIKE MENTIONED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE98041 ON A 1993 FORD CROWN VIC, ALSO KNEW OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 1992 CROWN VIC WHICH I NO LONGER OWN. DID THEY CHANGE THE SEAT BETWEEN 1993 AND 1198 MODELS? IF THEY DID NOT THEN THE RECALL SHOULD CERTAINLY INCLUDE OLDER MODEL CROWN VICS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 4, 2008MA

1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE IN FEBRUARY 2008. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. *KB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 4, 2008152,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07V336000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) OR 08V051000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL) FOR A LONG TIME. ON APRIL 4, 2008, THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PART INSTALLED. AFTER THE REPAIR, SHE REALIZED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONED AT ALL. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE MUCH ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. UPDATED 04/28/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HER MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE PART AND NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS. UPDATED

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Mar 11, 2008167,000 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE CONTACT'S WORKPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. HE RECENTLY RECEIVED FORD RECALL LETTER NUMBER 05S28 IN MARCH OF 2008 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167,000.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Feb 28, 2008172,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V194000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM), THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR HIS VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 29, 2008CA

1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WITH A SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED IN SEPTEMBER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULD BE IN, IN DECEMBER, THEN JANUARY. YET NO PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *KB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 14, 2008IA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND FORD RECALL NUMBER 05S28 IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. HE CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2007, WHICH WAS THEN CHANGED TO JANUARY OF 2008. CURRENTLY, FORD DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Dec 31, 2007NJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL). HIS LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR NOR DID THEY HAVE THE PARTS TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 17, 2007CA

I HAVE AN 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA THAT HAS MANY RECALLS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HERITAGE FORD (209) 529-5110 TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED AS PER AN RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NEW CRUISE CONTROL WOULD BE CONNECTED IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER ON 11/13/2007 TO FIND OUT WHEN I CAN BRING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE NEW CRUISE CONTROL CONNECTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WON'T BE UNTIL JANUARY OR FEBRUARY UNTIL THIS WILL HAPPEN. MY SITUATION IS THAT AS AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE ADJUSTER. I AM ON THE ROAD COVERING A LARGE AREA AT TIMES & WITH THE PRICE OF FUEL, I WANT THE CRUISE CONTROL HOOKED UP FOR FUEL SAVINGS! THERE ARE FOUR OTHER RECALLS WITH THE VEHICLE. I WILL CONFRONT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THEM AFTER I GET THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. THANK YOU CLIFF MILLER *TR

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Oct 25, 200793,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. A WEEK PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE NOTICE, HE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THE GEARS WOULD STICK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED DUE TO THE SWITCH. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING. IN ORDER TO PARK THE VEHICLE SAFELY, THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HOWEVER, THE BURNING SMELL REMAINED. HE HAS NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER OR NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE SPEED AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS THE WIRING ON THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. WHICH ALSO INTERLOCKS THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING MOVED OUT OF PARK UNLESS THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. UPDATED

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch1 injured
Filed Oct 19, 2007138,000 milesKS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE RIVETS FROM THE HOOD LATCH LOOSENED AND THE HOOD FLEW UP AND CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND SPLINTERS OF GLASS STRUCK THE CONTACT'S FACE. THE HOOD ALSO PLACED A DENT IN THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD COST $200 TO REPAIR. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TIED THE HOOD DOWN. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. THE BODY SHOP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND THE HOOD WAS REPLACED WITH A USED HOOD THAT WAS A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR COST WAS $519. THE HOOD STILL HAS TO BE PAINTED AND THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW THE PRICE OF THE PAINT JOB. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V024000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/ LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH) WAS REFERENCED; HOWEVER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT IT ONLY APPLIED TO POLICE VEHICLES AND TAXI CABS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000. UPDATED 06/10/08. *LJ

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Aug 9, 200780,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. HE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE BURNED DOWN 3 YEARS AGO. HE DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT FELT THE FUSE BOX CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V336000).

20 of 182 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
1993 — this page1829114Fatalities reported
19923109243Fatalities reported
199155450Routine
199043370Routine

Compare every Crown Victoria year →

Reading this record

4 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.