RoadVitals

1986 Ford Crown Victoria

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Sep 5, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 4, 1987
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Ford Crown Victoria, most frequently naming the electrical, seat belts and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 22 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1450.0%
  • Seat belts414.3%
  • Engine310.7%
  • Steering27.1%
  • Driver assistance27.1%
  • Transmission13.6%
  • Interior & seats13.6%
  • Body & structure13.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
87V139000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 4, 1987
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
The 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.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE91125ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES

Opened Sep 11, 1991
Closed Jan 15, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE88101ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMP FIRES

Opened Sep 14, 1988
Closed Jan 3, 1989

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE87055ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FIRES

Opened Sep 9, 1987
Closed Mar 10, 1988

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 THE HOOD AND PRECEDEDBY LOSS OF POWER DUE TO LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE VEHICLE.FORD REPORTED NO LAWSUITS, NO WARRANTY CLAIMS, AND ODI HAS RECEIVED ONLYONE REPORT SINCE OPENING THIS P.E.THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTSINDICATES THAT A DEFECT TREND DOES NOT EXIST AT THIS TIME.PROPOSED ACTION: CLOSE THIS P.E.===

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 27
Electrical
Filed Sep 5, 2001

WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IT TAKES THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE STARTING BACK UP. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
895764
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Aug 30, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. AFTER VEHICLE SAT FOR 1/2 HOUR IT WOULD RESTART. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
895488
Electrical
Filed Jan 7, 2001

ENGINE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. MY HUSBAND BARELY GOT THE CAR PULLED OVER WITH OUT AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE CAR IS PARKED. MY HUSBAND WAS AN ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN FOR 20 YEARS. HE SAID THE TFI MODULE IS THE FAILED PART.*AK

NHTSA ID
738968
Incident
Jan 5, 2001
Electrical
Filed Dec 6, 2000

GOING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE STALLS AND YOU CAN HEAR A WHINING NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS TURN. . HAVE BEEN TO 2 MECHANICS AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT GOOD ON ANALYZER. HELP PLEASE! BEFORE I HAVE ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
737431
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 4, 2000

THERE HAS BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, LET MY WINDOWS UP OR DOWN OR ADJUST MY SEAT (ELECTRIC), THERE IS INTERFERENCE WITH THE RADIO AND THAT TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS REFUSED TO LET UP 3 TIMES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS, I AM ABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. I HAVE ALSO HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STALLING WHENEVER I AM AT A STOP SIGN (OR LIGHT), AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE MANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF PARTS REPLACED IE. IGNITION COIL, PLUG WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND THE CAR STILL STALLS ON OCCASSION. I HEARD THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM A WHILE BACK AND RECENTLY ON A PART TO THE IGNITION PLACED INCORRECTLY. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS PROBLEM. T

NHTSA ID
730132
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2000
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY ODOR COMING FROM MY CAR. I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SNOKE BEGAN TO PUUR INTO THE INSIDE OF MY CAR AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT CHANGED I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK MY CAR. I POPED THE HOOD AND THERE WERE FLAMES . I RAN TO A NEARBY RESTAURANT AND ASKED THEM TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WHEN I WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WAIT FOR THE FIRE DEPT. MY CAR WAS TRYING TO START ITSELF. THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE IN MY HAND SO I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY CAR. I HAD IT TOWED HOME AND IT HAS BEEN IN MY DRIVEWAY EVER SINCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
727935
Incident
Aug 1, 2000
Steering
Filed Oct 31, 1997
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN INVESTIGATOR OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
818088
Incident
Oct 15, 1997
Engine
Filed Jun 20, 1997

VALVE COVER GASKETS FAILED.

NHTSA ID
519027

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Crown Victoria by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012000—
2011232041.9
2010122053.4
2009442050.1
2008503363.9
2007504468.7
2006533364.4
20051936761.5
20041383656.9
20032497962.7
2002585367.1
2001537766.5
20008510558.5
19991348760.7
199811910962.4
1997288111062.7
1996276121063.9
199525012764.4
19941927465.9
199318291065.4
199231091065.8
1991554264.8
1990433367.7
1989722367.0
1988422265.0
1987414370.4
1986Viewing271365.6
1985210257.4
1984612—
1983522—
1982301—
1981201—
1980201—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.