FaultScore report
Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 1987 Ford Crown Victoria with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008. The largest single group is the electrical system.
48
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
94,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 3 fires · median 94,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 114,700 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 94,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
ENGINE COMP FIRES
FIRES
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER: MANUFACTURER HAS BEENCONTACTED. SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB ARTICLE NO.87-18-13, PROVIDES PROCEDURESFOR REWORKING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LINE COUPLING TO THE RADIATOR,WHERE FLUID LEAKS CAN ORIGINATE. THE TSB STATES ... THE QUICK DISCONNECTFITTING SHOULD NOT BE REUSED BECAUSE IT MAY NOT RESEAL PROPERLY AND CANRESULT IN REPEAT REPAIR.VEHICLE POPULATION1985 19861987 FORD 187,300115,600 120,300 MERCURY151,000101,700 122,800 TOT=804,700THE ONE REPORTED INJURY ALLEDGES EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION DUE TO SMOKEAND SOOT. THE FIRES ARE GENERALLY CONFINED TO UNDER...
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
Risk: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.
Risk: BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Risk: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Seats And Restraints
ON STATION WAGONS, THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION. THIS COULD CAUSE BINDING OF THE SEAT BELT BETWEEN THE SEAT CUSHION AND THE SEAT BACK AND RESULT IN THE RETRACTOR BEING SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK. CORRECTION: SEAT BELTS WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED IN THE PROPER LOCATION.
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. NOTE: ESCORT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH EFI AND CFI. LYNX VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CFI ONLY. EFI - ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CFI - CENTRAL FUEL INJECTION
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH 5 LITRE FUEL INJECTED ENGINES, THE FUEL RAIL MAY BE BENT NEAR THE NUMBER 5 INJECTER CUP. AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER 5 CUP MAY LEAK FUEL AND PRESENT THE POTENTIAL FOR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Steering
THE NEWLY DESIGNED STEERING CENTRELINKS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE AT A BEND LOCATION. SHOULD A FRACTURE OCCUR, VEHICLE STEERING WOULD BE DIMINISHED, ALLOWING REDUCED CONTROL OF THE LEFT WHEEL ONLY. CORRECTION: STEERING CENTRELINK WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 06/04/08.
NHTSA complaint #10227132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 06/04/08.
NHTSA complaint #10227132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 06/04/08.
NHTSA complaint #10227132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I OWN A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA S/W WHOSE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED IN 1998 BY A FORD DEALER IN DUNDALK, MD. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A "FORD REMANUFACTURED" UNIT ALONG WITH THE CONNECTOR. LAST WEEK I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE ABOUT 200 YARDS WHEN I NOTICED THE "AMP" LIGHT SHOWING RED ON THE DASH PANEL AND MY WIFE CONCURRENTLY YELLING "THERE'S SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD". I DID A "U" TURN AND PROCEEDED TO MY GARAGE WHERE I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM THE BACK OF THE ALTERNATOR AND THEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. I DOUSED THE FIRE WITH A CO2 EXTINGUISHER BUT THE FLAMES RE-APPEARED. I CUT THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE AND THE FLAMES BECAME EXTINGUISHED. THE WIRES ON THE HARNESS ARE "COOKED".
NHTSA complaint #732689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #530854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF . THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. AK
NHTSA complaint #829944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 06/04/08.
NHTSA complaint #10227132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 06/04/08.
NHTSA complaint #10227132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 06/04/08.
NHTSA complaint #10227132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TFI MODULE SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE. FORTUNATELY SPEED WAS ONLY 15 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10029264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE SPRING INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE BUCKLE DID NOT LOCK (BUCKLE SERIAL NUMBER 2CM328401 ALLIED CHEMICAL). *AK *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10022132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10020446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
LOUD POPPING SOUND HEARD. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. VISIBLE FAILURE ON RIGHT FRONT AS TIRE WAS TURNED TOWARD THE ENGINE AT THE TOP AND TURNED OUTWARD AT THE PAVEMENT. REAR UPPER BODY FRAME COMPLETE SEPARATION BY 2 INCHES, AND FRONT UPPER BODY FRAME VISIBLE FRACTURE AND READY FOR SEPARATION. ENGINE WAS RESTING ON THE MANIFOLD. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MOVING ANY FASTER THAN 5MPH, THERE WOULD OR COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY HAD THE ENGINE COLLAPSED COMPLETELY TO THE PAVEMENT WHILE TRAVELLING. I THOUGHT IT WAS A UNIVERSAL JOINT OR A FAILED SHOCK.
NHTSA complaint #761377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN BEGIN TO HEAT UP. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THEY PAY.
NHTSA complaint #899501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN BEGIN TO HEAT UP. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THEY PAY.
NHTSA complaint #899501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE, SIZE: P205/75R15, DOT: ICULP2A078 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 75. INSIDE OF FENDER WALL AND TRUNK EXPERIENCED DAMAGE DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE TIRE. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO, RIGHT FRONT TIRE - SAME SIZE - HAD BALLOONED OUT ON SIDEWALL. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SEPARATING ON INSIDE. THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 20 TO 30,000 MILES ON TIRES. *AK TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE ROADHANDLERS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #885544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I OWN A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA S/W WHOSE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED IN 1998 BY A FORD DEALER IN DUNDALK, MD. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A "FORD REMANUFACTURED" UNIT ALONG WITH THE CONNECTOR. LAST WEEK I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE ABOUT 200 YARDS WHEN I NOTICED THE "AMP" LIGHT SHOWING RED ON THE DASH PANEL AND MY WIFE CONCURRENTLY YELLING "THERE'S SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD". I DID A "U" TURN AND PROCEEDED TO MY GARAGE WHERE I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM THE BACK OF THE ALTERNATOR AND THEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. I DOUSED THE FIRE WITH A CO2 EXTINGUISHER BUT THE FLAMES RE-APPEARED. I CUT THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE AND THE FLAMES BECAME EXTINGUISHED. THE WIRES ON THE HARNESS ARE "COOKED".
NHTSA complaint #732689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MOTOR WON'T START SOMETIMES. AKSO, WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY MOTOR WILL COMPLETELY DIE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #869527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MOTOR WON'T START SOMETIMES. AKSO, WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY MOTOR WILL COMPLETELY DIE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #869527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED INTO THE TRAFFIC. CONSUMER STATED IT HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #856403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, SPEED CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED, AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #850675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ENGINE SURGES WHILE IDLING OR AT TRAFFIC STOPS FOUND RECALL NOTICE FOR FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY AND HAVE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN SAME MODEL OF VEHICLE CALLED SERVICE DEPT. AND DEALERSHIP AND WAS GIVEN THE BRUSHOFF PERSON I TALKED TO WAS STAND OFFISH AND UNCOOPERATIVE WOULDN'T GIVE INFO ON RECALL BULLETINS
NHTSA complaint #711895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY.(ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
NHTSA complaint #530854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION BURNED UP TWICE BECAUSE OF URETHANE GROMMET CRACKED AND FELL OFF. FIRST TIME HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT A COST OF 1200.00 DOLLARS AND WITHIN 14 MONTHS THE SAME THING HAPPEN. PUT A USED TRANS. IN. RUNNING FOR 4 MONTHS AND WATCHING THE CABLE. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP STATED HE HAS MADE A LOT MONEY BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. I THINK FORD SHOULD COMPENSATE SOME FOR THIS FAULTY DESIGN. P.S. PUT NEW GROMMETS IN BOTH TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #700715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF . THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. AK
NHTSA complaint #829944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE IDLES FAST, REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES.
NHTSA complaint #537563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
GEAR BOX CRACK, LEAKING OUT ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID WITHIN SECONDS (SEVERAL TIMES), RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #512449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION MODULE MALFUNCTIONED FOUR TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #523943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
HIGH BEAM SWITCH GOES OUT AFTER A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO WEAK RESISTORS, DRIVER MUST QUICKLY SWITCH TO LOW BEAM.
NHTSA complaint #512953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
TRANSMISSION LINKAGE JAMMED, CAUSING THROTTLE TO STICK, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, THE BRAKING COULD NOT OVERRIDE THE THROTTLE.THE ENGINE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO STOP THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #804494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #506938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.