RoadVitals

1989 Ford Crown Victoria Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
72
Latest Sep 18, 2006
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.
23
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 17, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 72 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 72 · page 1 of 3

Driver assistance
Filed Sep 18, 2006
Fire reported

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. *JB

NHTSA ID
10168567
Incident
Sep 18, 2006
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Aug 24, 2004

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089531
Incident
Aug 23, 2004
Mileage
143,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 15, 2004

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 ID
10069982
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Dec 31, 2003

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 *NM

NHTSA ID
10053303
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 3, 2003

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.*MR

NHTSA ID
10049971
Seat belts
Filed Sep 30, 2003

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 ID
10040949
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Mileage
90,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 16, 2003

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! *JB

NHTSA ID
10038976
Incident
Sep 3, 2003
Mileage
91,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2003

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 ID
10012330
Incident
Mar 18, 2003
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2003

THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO INSERT INTO THE IGNITION BUT ONCE INSERTED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10011966
Incident
Feb 10, 2003
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 15, 2002

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). *JG

NHTSA ID
8009939
Incident
May 7, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 3, 2002

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
8006882
Incident
Mar 24, 2002
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 28, 2002

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. *TT

NHTSA ID
8004766
Incident
Oct 4, 2001
Electrical
Filed Jan 30, 2002
Fire reported

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 *JG

NHTSA ID
8003152
Incident
Jul 31, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jun 9, 2001

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! *AK

NHTSA ID
746607
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Apr 23, 2001
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING UNDERHOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
886542
Incident
Apr 23, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Jan 25, 2001
Fire reported

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
879005
Incident
Dec 17, 2000
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2000

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 ID
557164
Incident
Aug 21, 1997
Engine
Filed Oct 12, 2000

HIGH SPEED STALLS OR MISS (TIRESIZE: 215R70 15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215R70 15 )

NHTSA ID
734206
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 8, 2000

CONSUMER HAS A 1989 CROWN, VICTORIA AFTERMARKET TIRES. PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. NO ACCIDENT. TIRE SIZE P225/75R15, DOT# STARTS WITH THE VD FIRESTONE REPLACED TIRES WITH NO CHARGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
870012
Incident
May 20, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 16, 2000

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 ID
728116
Incident
Jul 25, 2000
Visibility
Filed Aug 30, 1999

HEATER CORE VENTS WATER VAPOR CAUSES WINDSHIELD TO FOG RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. *YC

NHTSA ID
548193
Electrical
Filed May 28, 1999

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

NHTSA ID
608922
Incident
Oct 17, 1998
Heating & air conditioningDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 12, 1999

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
837819
Incident
Jul 15, 1998
Filed Apr 13, 1999

INTERIOR BURNED WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE (NOT RUNNING).

NHTSA ID
705573
Electrical
Filed Mar 16, 1999
Fire reported

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
544410
Incident
Sep 8, 1998

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.

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