FaultScore report
Owners have filed 86 complaints about the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the electrical system.
86
Complaints
3
Crashes reported
22
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1 complaint reports a death.
117,000 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, 1 fires
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Median failure at 117,000 miles
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
HEAT HOSE RESTRICTOR/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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MY MECHANIC WORKED ON MY CAR, I BORROWED HIS 1989 CROWN VICTORIA. ON THE THIRD DAY I HAD IT, WHILE DRIVING IN A 45 MPH ZONE, THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY PULLED AWAY FROM MY FOOT AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL SO I TRIED PULLING THE PEDAL UP BY PLACING MY FOOT UNDER IT AND PULLING UP. THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HIT THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES, BELIEVING IT WAS STUCK SOMEHOW. WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK I HIT THE BRAKES TO PULL THE CAR OVER. THE CAR WAS QUICKLY GAINING SPEED AS I DID ALL OF THESE THINGS AND HITTING THE BRAKES DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AT ALL. THEN I STOOD ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET WHILE THE CAR WAS UP TO 80 MPH. STANDING ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET ONLY BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 60 MPH. I THEN MANAGED TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND PULL IT OVER ON THE SHOULDER BY ALSO USING THE BRAKES, BUT IT WAS REVVING HIGH AND BLACK SMOKE WAS NOW COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN DOWN THE ROAD AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR STARTED SPARKING UNDERNEATH, THEN IT BROKE INTO FLAMES. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND 2 TIRES EXPLODED BEFORE THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10168567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 4 MONTHS AND WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, RESULTING IN GARAGE BURNING DOWN AND VEHICLE BEING TOTALLED. PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS $54000.00.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8003152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING UNDERHOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #886542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH ON STREET CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE, AND THEN SOON AFTER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOTED THAT PLASTIC FUEL LINE BUSTED OPEN WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #879005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS HEAVY SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO CALL THE FIRER DEPARTMENT TO COME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #829520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #544410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MY MECHANIC WORKED ON MY CAR, I BORROWED HIS 1989 CROWN VICTORIA. ON THE THIRD DAY I HAD IT, WHILE DRIVING IN A 45 MPH ZONE, THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY PULLED AWAY FROM MY FOOT AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL SO I TRIED PULLING THE PEDAL UP BY PLACING MY FOOT UNDER IT AND PULLING UP. THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I HIT THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES, BELIEVING IT WAS STUCK SOMEHOW. WHEN THAT DIDN'T WORK I HIT THE BRAKES TO PULL THE CAR OVER. THE CAR WAS QUICKLY GAINING SPEED AS I DID ALL OF THESE THINGS AND HITTING THE BRAKES DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AT ALL. THEN I STOOD ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET WHILE THE CAR WAS UP TO 80 MPH. STANDING ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET ONLY BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 60 MPH. I THEN MANAGED TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND PULL IT OVER ON THE SHOULDER BY ALSO USING THE BRAKES, BUT IT WAS REVVING HIGH AND BLACK SMOKE WAS NOW COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN DOWN THE ROAD AWAY FROM THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR STARTED SPARKING UNDERNEATH, THEN IT BROKE INTO FLAMES. THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND 2 TIRES EXPLODED BEFORE THE FIRE COMPANY ARRIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10168567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. A FEW YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON THROTTLE LINKAGES STUCK. AS A RESULT, TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP.
NHTSA complaint #10089531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. A FEW YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON THROTTLE LINKAGES STUCK. AS A RESULT, TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP.
NHTSA complaint #10089531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL. A FEW YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON THROTTLE LINKAGES STUCK. AS A RESULT, TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP.
NHTSA complaint #10089531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
PAINT: CLEAR COAT PEELED COMPLETELY OFF OF HOOD, TRUNK, ROOF, TOPS OF FENDERS, ALL AREAS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. SUSPENSION: REAR SPRINGS FATIQUED CAUSING PREMATURE SHOCK WARE. TRANSMISSION: LOSS OF THIRD GEAR AND OVER DRIVE, MAJOR FRONT SEAL LEAK, NEEDED COMPLETE OVERHAUL. OTHER: HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AND/OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BRAKES: SQUEALING AND FADING FRONT BRAKES, EXCESSIVE WARE ON FRONT PADS, REAR BRAKES DONT ADJUST CAUSING SEVERE NOSE-DIVING WHILE STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #10069982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT: CLEAR COAT PEELED COMPLETELY OFF OF HOOD, TRUNK, ROOF, TOPS OF FENDERS, ALL AREAS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. SUSPENSION: REAR SPRINGS FATIQUED CAUSING PREMATURE SHOCK WARE. TRANSMISSION: LOSS OF THIRD GEAR AND OVER DRIVE, MAJOR FRONT SEAL LEAK, NEEDED COMPLETE OVERHAUL. OTHER: HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AND/OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BRAKES: SQUEALING AND FADING FRONT BRAKES, EXCESSIVE WARE ON FRONT PADS, REAR BRAKES DONT ADJUST CAUSING SEVERE NOSE-DIVING WHILE STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #10069982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
PAINT: CLEAR COAT PEELED COMPLETELY OFF OF HOOD, TRUNK, ROOF, TOPS OF FENDERS, ALL AREAS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. SUSPENSION: REAR SPRINGS FATIQUED CAUSING PREMATURE SHOCK WARE. TRANSMISSION: LOSS OF THIRD GEAR AND OVER DRIVE, MAJOR FRONT SEAL LEAK, NEEDED COMPLETE OVERHAUL. OTHER: HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AND/OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BRAKES: SQUEALING AND FADING FRONT BRAKES, EXCESSIVE WARE ON FRONT PADS, REAR BRAKES DONT ADJUST CAUSING SEVERE NOSE-DIVING WHILE STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #10069982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PAINT: CLEAR COAT PEELED COMPLETELY OFF OF HOOD, TRUNK, ROOF, TOPS OF FENDERS, ALL AREAS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. SUSPENSION: REAR SPRINGS FATIQUED CAUSING PREMATURE SHOCK WARE. TRANSMISSION: LOSS OF THIRD GEAR AND OVER DRIVE, MAJOR FRONT SEAL LEAK, NEEDED COMPLETE OVERHAUL. OTHER: HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AND/OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BRAKES: SQUEALING AND FADING FRONT BRAKES, EXCESSIVE WARE ON FRONT PADS, REAR BRAKES DONT ADJUST CAUSING SEVERE NOSE-DIVING WHILE STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #10069982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
PROBLEMS WITH FRONT DOOR BOTTOM HINGE, ROLLER STEM AND BRACKETS.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FRONT DOOR BOTTOM HINGE WAS POORLY DESIGNED OR MADE OF CHEAP METAL. THE ROLLER, STEM AND BRACKET HAVE BROKE MANY TIMES. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10053303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOVES UNDER THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS INTERFERES WITH PERFORMANCE OF DEPRESSING AND ACCELERATING. THE FLOOR MAT MOVES WITH NO WARNING. *AK CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FLOOR MAT MOVING UNDERNEATH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THIS INTERFERES WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE FLOOR MATS MOVE WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10049971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
I OWN A 1983 AND 1989 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE SEAT BELT THAT WON'T LATCH - PROBLEM IS IN THE RECEIVING END. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD REQUIRE FORD TO PROVIDE FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT!! THESE VEHICLES ARE KEPT CLEAN AND MAINTAINED !
NHTSA complaint #10040949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PLASTIC GROMMET ATTACHING LINKAGE FROM FUEL INJECTION UNIT TO TRANSMISSION BROKE. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 5 MILES TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND REPLACED IT WITH A BRASS GROMMET, BUT TOLD ME THAT AS SOON AS THIS BREAKS, TRANSMISSION DAMAGE OCCURS. I NOW EITHER HAVE TO SPEND 1200 DOLLARS FOR A REBUILD, OR SCRAP A CAR WHICH IS OTHERWISE IN PERFECT SHAPE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? A 50 CENT PART IS COSTING 1200!
NHTSA complaint #10038976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS PUT ON HIS VEHICLE ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL, WAS DEFECTIVE AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SWITCH WILL NOT TURN TO ACCESSORY AND THE KEY IS HARD TO GO IN THE IGNITION, THEN WHEN IT DOES GO IN IT SPARKS. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID THIS PROBLEM WILL SOME DAY CAUSE A FIRE. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN BECAUSE THEY REPLACED IT ONCE. SO, THIS TIME HE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO INSERT INTO THE IGNITION BUT ONCE INSERTED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10011966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SIDE RAIL OF FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE RUST CHECK AND WAS TOLD NO ONE LOOKED AT THE FRAME. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS CHECKED FOR RUSTING. THE FRAME HAS HOLES IN IT ON BOTH SIDES BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE FRAME AND THE TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER. THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF RUST IN EACH FRONT FENDER. FORD TOLD CONSUMER THEY WOULD REFUND THE COST OF THE RUST PROOF JOB (SUPER SEAL).
NHTSA complaint #8009939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CONSUMER TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND GAS PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UP TO 50 MPH AT A STOP POSITION. CONSUMER HAD TO STEP ON BRAKES ALOT TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #8006882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITH OUT WARNING, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE UNDER A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. *AK ORIGINAL TFI MODULE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #8004766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITH OUT WARNING, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE UNDER A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. *AK ORIGINAL TFI MODULE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #8004766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 4 MONTHS AND WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, RESULTING IN GARAGE BURNING DOWN AND VEHICLE BEING TOTALLED. PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS $54000.00.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8003152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I HAD TO BRAKE HARD WHEN I PARKED THE CAR. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING, THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS EMPTY OF BRAKE FLUID. ALL THE BRAKE FLUID HAD DRAINED OUT FROM A LEAK AT OR NEAR THE JUNCTION BOX. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE JUNCTION BOX FOR A CHARGE OF $205.66 (TOWING WAS ALSO $6.00 MORE THAN THE AAA REIMBURSEMENT). THE BRAKE LINE CLEARLY SHOWED AN ELONGATED HOLE CAUSED BY EXTERNAL ABRASION OR RUBBING. I BELIEVE THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN OR ASSEMBLY. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC, OR WHILE I WAS TOWING MY HORSE TRAILER, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS!
NHTSA complaint #746607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING UNDERHOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #886542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH ON STREET CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE, AND THEN SOON AFTER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOTED THAT PLASTIC FUEL LINE BUSTED OPEN WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #879005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STALLING WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR ENTERING A RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, CONSUMER FEELS IT MAY BE DUE TO 1) RECALL 95S28 REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, 2) TSB REGARDING THE THROTTLE BODY LEVER GROMMET, AND 3) TSB REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HIGH SPEED STALLS OR MISS (TIRESIZE: 215R70 15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215R70 15 )
NHTSA complaint #734206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
THESE TIRES HAVE A 80.000 MILES WEAROUT COVERAGE AND LIFETIME WARRANTY AGAINST MFG. DEFECTS. I BROUGHT THESE TIRES AT SEARS.I THOUGHT THE FRONT END WAS OUT OF ALIAN BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRE HAD A WOBBLE TO IT.SEARS SAID IT WAS DUE TO SEPERATION..I WAS TOLD THE WARRENTY WASN'T ANY GOOD BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE 4 YEARS OLD..I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER TIRE WHICH COST LESS. AFTER A DAY OR TWO OF RETURNING HOME I NOTICE RECALL ON NEWS.I FOUND MY INVOICE AND RETURN TO SEARS AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE TIRES ONLY HAD 12,000 AND THEY ARE WARRENTY FOR 80,000. THEY FINALLY ADJUSTED MY INVOICE FOR THE ONE TIRE, BUT I FEEL THE OTHER 3 TIRES ARE "NOT SAFE"( DOT NUMBER: Y734PR1086 TIRE SIZE: P21570TR15 )
NHTSA complaint #728116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.