FaultScore report
Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria with NHTSA between 1995 and 2010. The largest single group is the electrical system.
49
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
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, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 1,900 miles
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
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1988 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 5.0 LITER 302 CUBIC INCH ENGINE (FUEL INJECTED). SECOND GENERATION (2G) ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10320358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SPEED CONTROL - ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE EITHER STEPPED ON BRAKE OR PRESSED OFF SWITCH TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED BACK TO THE SETTING OF 65MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH A LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - ON 10-27-1998, AFTER MY WIFE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (IN OUR DRIVEWAY), THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK ON ROLLED INTO THE WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE. MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR TO STOP IT. SHE WAS KNOCKED DOWN TO THE GROUND BY THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BODY DAMAGE AND THE CATYLITIC CONVERTED WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #700255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL - ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE EITHER STEPPED ON BRAKE OR PRESSED OFF SWITCH TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED BACK TO THE SETTING OF 65MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH A LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - ON 10-27-1998, AFTER MY WIFE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (IN OUR DRIVEWAY), THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK ON ROLLED INTO THE WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE. MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR TO STOP IT. SHE WAS KNOCKED DOWN TO THE GROUND BY THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BODY DAMAGE AND THE CATYLITIC CONVERTED WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #700255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION AND INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #538888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL NOTICE NOT RECEIVED.
NHTSA complaint #507983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
WHEELS
I RAN OVER A PIECE OF STRUCTURAL STEEL ON THE FREEWAY AND WRECKED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND WHEEL. I FOUND THAT I COULD NOT REMOVE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS USING THE LUG WRENCH FURNISHED WITH THE CAR. I SUCCEEDED IN CHANGING THE TIRE BY USING THE BREAKER BAR INCLUDED WITH MY HALF INCH DRIVE SOCKET SET THAT I HAPPENED TO HAVE IN THE TRUNK. TWENTY YEARS LATER FORD WAS STILL FURNISHING WITH THEIR CARS SHORT ARM (EFFECTIVE LENGTH ABOUT 9 INCHES) LUG WRENCHES THAT COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE USED TO CHANGE A TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10335542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1988 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 5.0 LITER 302 CUBIC INCH ENGINE (FUEL INJECTED). SECOND GENERATION (2G) ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10320358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NHTSA# 96-V-071-000: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDE DUE TO VIN# DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10018183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T LET UP. TO KEEP FROM CRASHING INTO OTHERS WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RUIN THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE THE CAR WOULD STOP.
NHTSA complaint #766768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE OIL PAN CORRODED AND BEGAN TO LEAK OIL, CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #567065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN AN INTERSECTION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN AN INTERSECTION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
IGNITION MODULE ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL, ONCE STALLED THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. NLM
NHTSA complaint #558613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN IT COMES TO A STOP. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #878460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
I HAVE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE ($77.29), TPS ($29.89), HAD A DIAGNOSTIC ($30.00), CAP/ROTOR/PLUGS/WIRES REPLACED ($72.29), NEW STARTER ($32.89), FUEL FILTER ($17.89), VACCUM TEST ($42.69), BATTERY CHARGE CHECK (FREE), ALTINATOR TEST (FREE) AND MY CAR STILL STALLS AND IS HARD TO START. PLEASE CONTATCT ME CONCERNING THIS MATTER. SOMETHING IS DEFENETLY GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I HOPE A SAFETY MATTER CAN BE REVEALED BEFORE ANY GETS HURT OR KILLED. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING OUR VEHICLES SAFE ON THE ROAD AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #734097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS, SLIPS. YH
NHTSA complaint #549627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
NOISE COMING FROM FRONT AND REAR END ON HARD TURNING. YH
NHTSA complaint #549627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER COMPLAINING OF STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AT TIMES. ALSO THE WHEEL MUST BE ALIGNED TO REMOVE THE KEY. CONSUMER HAS TO MOVE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH IN ORDER TO GET THE WHEEL TO MOVE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #824173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SPEED CONTROL - ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE EITHER STEPPED ON BRAKE OR PRESSED OFF SWITCH TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED BACK TO THE SETTING OF 65MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH A LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - ON 10-27-1998, AFTER MY WIFE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (IN OUR DRIVEWAY), THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK ON ROLLED INTO THE WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE. MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR TO STOP IT. SHE WAS KNOCKED DOWN TO THE GROUND BY THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BODY DAMAGE AND THE CATYLITIC CONVERTED WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #700255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED CONTROL - ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE EITHER STEPPED ON BRAKE OR PRESSED OFF SWITCH TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED BACK TO THE SETTING OF 65MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH A LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - ON 10-27-1998, AFTER MY WIFE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (IN OUR DRIVEWAY), THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK ON ROLLED INTO THE WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE. MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR TO STOP IT. SHE WAS KNOCKED DOWN TO THE GROUND BY THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BODY DAMAGE AND THE CATYLITIC CONVERTED WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #700255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION AND INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #538888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #537211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PLASTIC LINKAGE GROMMET FAILED DUE TO DETERIORATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #525131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO ITS CAPACITY OCCASIONALLY IT OVERFLOWS INTO THE HOSE INSIDE TRUNK AREA AND EXITS THROUGH THIS COMPARTMENT. NON- DRAINAGE OF FUEL. THIS ALLOW FUMES TO OVERCOME OCCUPANTS (CAUSING SICKNESS.) FINALE: RUPTURED HOSE.
NHTSA complaint #816622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN WORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, REPAIR MAN STATES NO MORE CAN BE DONE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #816258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
OWNER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS FAULTY AND THAT IT WONT LATCH, OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT HE HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE OFTEN WITH THIS SEATBELT AND HE IS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #811091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN BOLTS, MOUNT TILT HOUSING TO STEERING COLUMN OUTER TUBE LOOSENED, CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL TO CONTINUE STAYING ON. AN UNSAFE CONTROL PROBLEM COULD RESULT WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #809641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #504880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL NOTICE NOT RECEIVED.
NHTSA complaint #507983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND THEN THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #805395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.