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1989
Electrical System

1989 Ford Crown Victoria electrical problems

26 of the 86 complaints about the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria are about the electrical system — 30% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 36,000 miles.

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 17 65.4%

Wiring 3 11.5%

Front Underhood 2 7.7%

Ignition 2 7.7%

Module 1 3.8%

Interior/Under Dash 1 3.8%

Electrical System across every Ford Crown Victoria year

1985 11 3.3%

1986 21 6.4%

1987 15 4.6%

1988 21 6.4%

1989 26 7.9%

1990 11 3.3%

1991 10 3.0%

1992 58 17.6%

1993 23 7.0%

1994 12 3.6%

1995 16 4.9%

1996 13 4.0%

1997 14 4.3%

1999 12 3.6%

2003 21 6.4%

2004 23 7.0%

2005 22 6.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Filed 24 Mar 2003 Tulsa, OK

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.

Filed 18 Mar 2003 at 36,000 miles Tulsa, OK

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.

Filed 28 Feb 2002 Maspieth, NY

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.

Filed 30 Jan 2002 Paul Smith, NY Fire

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.

Filed 23 Apr 2001 Corpus Christi, TX Fire

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.

Filed 10 Jun 1999 Uniondale, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

POSSIBLE IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. CAMPAIGN #96V071000 NLM

NHTSA complaint #608922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 12 May 1999 Gardengrove, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGING AND CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION FOR UNKNOWN REASON. ANOTHER PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF WHEN NEEDED. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER WOULD GIVE OFF AN ODOR WHEN TURNED ON. DEALER /MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THESE MATTERS.

NHTSA complaint #837819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Mar 1999 Jacksonville, AK Fire

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.

Filed 18 Mar 1999 Richardson, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #544410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Feb 1999 Whitehall, MI Fire 1 injured 1 killed

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WASN'T ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN TIME.

NHTSA complaint #831827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Jan 1999 Needham, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #506047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Oct 1997 Houston, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM STARTING.. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA complaint #516399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 7 Apr 1997 Santa Paula, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO SPARKS FROM IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #810737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Dec 1996 Havertown, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS . PLEASE DESCRIBE .

NHTSA complaint #806071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Oct 1996 Barnsville, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS VEHICLE HAD AN RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH. THINKS THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS STARTED THE FIRE. 96V071000.

NHTSA complaint #803583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Sep 1996 Anchor, AK Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE IGNITION AND CAUSED A FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL (96V-071).

NHTSA complaint #800768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Jun 1996 Framingham, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Jun 1996 Needham, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #504562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Apr 1996 Brockton, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Apr 1996 Brockton, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Apr 1996 Ionia, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING, FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN; MELTED ALL PLASTIC AND WIRING AROUND IGNITION SWITCH; FIRE PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

NHTSA complaint #983662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Apr 1996 Elmhurst, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 1996 SUN City WES, AZ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

HEARD THE HORN BLOWING, THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE, DUE TO A SHORT IN THE IGNITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #982904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 1996 SUN City WES, AZ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

HEARD THE HORN BLOWING, THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE, DUE TO A SHORT IN THE IGNITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #982904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 13 Mar 1996 Sugarland, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE CAUSED BY WIRES SHORTING OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

Exactly what failed

Electrical System across every Ford Crown Victoria year

What owners said

Other 1989 Ford Crown Victoria problems