FaultScore report
Owners have filed 58 complaints about the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the electrical system.
58
Complaints
7
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
4
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.
5 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 2 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.
STEERING COLUMN FIRES
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.
Risk: INADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE ABRASION OF THE BRAKE LINEAND A LEAK CAN DEVELOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKESYSTEM AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Suspension
Note: 1996-99 crown victoria police, fleet and ngv and lincoln town car limousine equipped with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing and 1990-96 crown victoria police, fleet and ngv and lincoln town car limousine that were serviced with either a ball joint containing an one piece bearing or a front lower control arm with a one piece bearing. High bearing loads can lead to thinning and eventual cracking of the lower control arm ball joint. This can result in separation of the ball and cap of the joint. Should this occur, the control arm to which the cap is mounted will drop to the ground. Should this occur while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could result in a collision. Correction: Lower control arm ball joints will be replaced.
Brakes
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POLICE OPTION AND 5.8 LITRE ENGINES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBE COULD ABRADE AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S UNDERBODY. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK AND LOSS OF REAR BRAKES CAUSING A REDUCTION OF BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. CORRECTION: A SERVICE REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED ON ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE UNDERBODY.
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER SIDE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG, THE CENTRE POST THREADS OF THE AIR BAG MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. IN A DEPLOYMENT LEVEL COLLISION, THE CENTRE POST HOUSING MAY SEPARATE FROM THE AIR BAG ADAPTER CAUSING THE AIR BAG NOT TO INFLATE PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, HOT COMBUSTION GASES WOULD FLOW DIRECTLY THROUGH THE AIR BAG RATHER THAN THROUGH THE NORMAL FILTERING AND COOLING DEVICES, PRESENTING THE POSSIBILITY OF BURN INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. CORRECTION: AIR BAG MODULES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
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:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #8005183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #8005183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1ST TIME-PUT ON BRAKES, CAR KEPT GOING. SLAMMED ON BRAKES WHICH LOCKED AND SCREECHED, BUT CAR KEPT ON GOING. REAR-ENDED A VEHICLE. @ND TIME- CAR KEPT GOING FASTER. TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR BUT CONTINUED TO INCREASE SPEED. PUT FOOT ON BRAKES. SLOWED DOWN ONLY A LITTLE. AS SOON AS FOOT OFF BRAKES, CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKES WITH ONLY SOME SLOWING. SEMI-TRUCK STOPPED, BUT I COULDN'T. SWERVED JUST IN TIME. CROSS TRAFFIC SO SWERVED INTO MOBILE GAS STATION. SLOWER BUT HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO AVOID RUNNING INTO BUILDING. GARAGE COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. LEFT AT L.J. FORD IN COLTON FOR 12 DAYS. ALSO COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR CO. SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND CAR PAST WARRANTY SO COULD DO NOTHING. CAR VERY UNSAFE. SCARED TO DRIVE! NEED A CAR. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO? PLEASE ADVISE!!! CALLED AAA WHO REFERRED ME TO OTHER AGENCIES WHO REFERRED ME TO MORE AGENCIES WHO COULD NOT HELP ME.SLOWING.
NHTSA complaint #710673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CAR WAS OFF AND STARTED ON FIRE. STARTER WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ENGINE BY ITSELF. NOBODY WAS IN THE CAR. CAR BURNED TO GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #707669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE UP, PUT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT A POLE, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #833121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE PARKED ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE ALTENATOR WIRING HARNESS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #834170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
CONSUMER STATED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS RECALL#98V32000 LOWER CONTROL ARM. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN IS NOT INCLEDED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED THE GASKET ON THE OIL PAN FAILED CAUSING A SERIOUS LEAK, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART AT NO CHARGE, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED ANOTHER OIL PAN GASKET LEAK, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #564544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #8005183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #8005183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 90 E 043 001 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #895666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE HAS STALLED 3 DAYS IN A ROW. DEALER WILL AGREE TO FIX VEHICLE AT THE CONSUMER'S COST. BUT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK THE IGNITION MODULE IS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE RESULTING IN THE OVERHEATING OF THE MODULE AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #873918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS IN HOT WEATHER WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH INFREQUENT PRESENTS ANY LONG TRIPS.
NHTSA complaint #871098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION. BUT, TIRE DID NOT FLATTEN OUT RIGHT AWAY. FIRESTONE FR505 P215/70 R15.
NHTSA complaint #869596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
REAR BRAKES WENT OUT DUE TO CORROSION. THIS CAUSED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. ALSO, FUEL RETURN LINE IS CORRODING. DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE, AND PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #854887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1ST TIME-PUT ON BRAKES, CAR KEPT GOING. SLAMMED ON BRAKES WHICH LOCKED AND SCREECHED, BUT CAR KEPT ON GOING. REAR-ENDED A VEHICLE. @ND TIME- CAR KEPT GOING FASTER. TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR BUT CONTINUED TO INCREASE SPEED. PUT FOOT ON BRAKES. SLOWED DOWN ONLY A LITTLE. AS SOON AS FOOT OFF BRAKES, CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKES WITH ONLY SOME SLOWING. SEMI-TRUCK STOPPED, BUT I COULDN'T. SWERVED JUST IN TIME. CROSS TRAFFIC SO SWERVED INTO MOBILE GAS STATION. SLOWER BUT HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK TO AVOID RUNNING INTO BUILDING. GARAGE COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. LEFT AT L.J. FORD IN COLTON FOR 12 DAYS. ALSO COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR CO. SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND CAR PAST WARRANTY SO COULD DO NOTHING. CAR VERY UNSAFE. SCARED TO DRIVE! NEED A CAR. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO? PLEASE ADVISE!!! CALLED AAA WHO REFERRED ME TO OTHER AGENCIES WHO REFERRED ME TO MORE AGENCIES WHO COULD NOT HELP ME.SLOWING.
NHTSA complaint #710673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CAR WAS OFF AND STARTED ON FIRE. STARTER WAS ATTEMPTING TO START ENGINE BY ITSELF. NOBODY WAS IN THE CAR. CAR BURNED TO GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #707669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
COSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED DUE TO HANGING UP AND NOT BRAKING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE OVERDRIVE HUNG UP AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP'S #800-683-5112---WORLD FORD DEALERSHIP, HOMESTEAD, PA. CONSUMER. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING, GAUGE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES, FULL TANK IS REGISTERING (E) EMPTY.
NHTSA complaint #836919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
COSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED DUE TO HANGING UP AND NOT BRAKING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE OVERDRIVE HUNG UP AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP'S #800-683-5112---WORLD FORD DEALERSHIP, HOMESTEAD, PA. CONSUMER. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING, GAUGE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES, FULL TANK IS REGISTERING (E) EMPTY.
NHTSA complaint #836919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
COSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED DUE TO HANGING UP AND NOT BRAKING. AT THE SAME TIME, THE OVERDRIVE HUNG UP AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP'S #800-683-5112---WORLD FORD DEALERSHIP, HOMESTEAD, PA. CONSUMER. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING, GAUGE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES, FULL TANK IS REGISTERING (E) EMPTY.
NHTSA complaint #836919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE UP, PUT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT A POLE, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #833121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE PARKED ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE FIRE STARTED AROUND THE ALTENATOR WIRING HARNESS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #834170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AND PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 40 MPH. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A METAL POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #833841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STARTED AUTOMOBILE UP AND IT TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. VEHICLE HIT A POLE, INJURING THE DRIVER'S WIFE.
NHTSA complaint #833894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #604267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL OFF SWITCH FAILS TO DISENGAGE CRUISE.
NHTSA complaint #604267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
SHOCKS FAILED CAUSING LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #604267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDOW WIPER MOTOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
SHOCKS FAILED CAUSING LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #604267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE WIPER SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #604267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.