RoadVitals

1994 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.
192
Latest Mar 9, 2023
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.
7
Latest Feb 4, 2008
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.
4
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.
34
33 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 192 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Ford Crown Victoria, most frequently naming the driver assistance, suspension and brakes categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 80 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

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
08V051000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 4, 2008
225,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 08S01View on NHTSA.gov
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
02I003000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Oct 15, 2002
350,000 units potentially affected
The defect: IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.
The risk: SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.
The remedy: FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 02B02View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA02025ClosedEngineering Analysis

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES

Opened Sep 6, 2002
Closed Jun 30, 2004

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS (2.5 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD) WHERE FAILURE OF THE SCDS IS INVOLVED AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES ? 7 TO 11 YEARS ? A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DP02007ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL-FED FIRES

Opened Aug 22, 2002
Closed Dec 4, 2002

THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SQ01014ClosedInvestigation

POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES

Opened Nov 27, 2001
Closed Oct 3, 2002

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGELed to recall 02I003000
RQ01002ClosedRecall Query

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Sep 20, 2001
Closed Sep 6, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 99V124000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 192
Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 2023

The contact owns a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the pedal became spongy. Additionally, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed a leak coming from the brake line. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 94V152000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

NHTSA ID
11510995
Incident
Mar 7, 2023
Mileage
300,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Apr 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION DETACHED AT THE BALL JOINT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKE DUST COVER TO PUNCTURE THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE DUST COVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO BE REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11320144
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 7, 2018
Fire reported

AFTER DRIVING 30 MILES, I PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD. I ATTEMPTED TO UNLATCH THE HOOD BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUE TO THE UNLATCH CABLE BEING DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE FIRE HAD MELTED A BIG HOLE IN THE HOOD AT THE LEFT REAR CORNER AND HAD DESTROYED THE WINDSHIELD IN THE SAME AREA. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BY USING A WATER HOSE AND SQUIRTING THE WATER THROUGH THE MELTED HOLE IN THE HOOD HOLE. I BELIEVE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD LEAKED FLUID ON THE ENGINE IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR SPARK PLUG AND HAD STARTED THE FIRE WHICH HAD MELTED ALL THE COMPONENTS IN THE AREA ON THE FIREWALL AREA. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE DURING MY PREVIOUS DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11061024
Incident
Dec 26, 2017
Mileage
112,845 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed May 2, 2017

HOLD LATCH BROKE A NUMBER OF DAYS AGO, ONE DAY DRIVING 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED MY WINDSHIELD. A FEW MONTHS LATER MY FUEL PUMP CAUGHT ON FIRE, I HAD NO IDEA UNTIL I GOT UNDER THE CAR BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WANT TO START. I'M GLAD TO BE ALIVE FROM THE FIRE, THE CAR COULD HAVE BLOWN UP! MY ABS BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL! LAST NIGHT I WAS READING UP ON SOME FORUMS AND I FOUND OUT THAT FORD WAS TRYING TO HIDE THESE ISSUE'S!!!!! DON'T BELIEVE ME? LOOK FOR YOUR SELF HTTP://BIT.LY/2QTIDTT THATS THE URL, COPY IT AND PASTE IT IN YOUR BROWSER!! I WILL INCLUDE IT IN MY PICTURES AS WELL. THEY TRYED TO HIDE THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING AN INLINE FUSE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT "SAFER"!!! MY CAR HASNT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN FOREVER AND THEY NEVER GOT TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY HID FROM EVERY ONE!! ILL SHOW YOU IN THE PICTURES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM!!! THE INLINE FUSE IS STILL HOOKED UP TO MY SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, AND THE ORIGINAL SWITCH IS STILL IN CAR AND THIS IS WHERE THE PROBLEM. MY SON STUMBLED ACROSS THIS WHEN HE COULDN'T FIND THE ORIGINAL CONNECTOR FOR THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP THAT I ORDERED A FEW DAYS AGO THAT WAS HARD TO FIND. THEY CHANGED THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP TO A NEW ONE WITH A DIFFERENT CONNECTOR. ONE OF THEIR RECALLS WAS FAULTY CONNECTORS. THE CONNECTOR ON MY CAR WAS THE ORIGINAL AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED MY FUEL PUMP TO CATCH FIRE. THE HOOD LATCH I DIDN'T KNOW WAS A RECALL AND IT BROKE A WHILE BACK, I DIDN'T THINK NOTHING OF IT UNTIL MY HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED MY WINDSHIELD!! PLEASE TELL ME I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO CAUGHT ONTO THIS! PLEASE HELP AND INVESTIGATE!!! MY SON THINKS IT ALL STEMMED FROM THE PROGRAM SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE LEAKING SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS).

NHTSA ID
10983008
Incident
Apr 28, 2017
Mileage
120,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES, SIZE: P235/75R-15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER, VIN, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10790156
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 4, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING ENGAGED. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
10577319
Incident
Sep 4, 2013
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 16, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE HOOD POPPED OPEN, IMPAIRING THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY AND SHATTERING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE HOOD BUT THE LATCH WOULD NOT CATCH. THE CONTACT THEN SECURED THE HOOD CLOSED BY TYING IT DOWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO REPLACE THE HOOD, HOOD LATCH AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 97V024000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN TO WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,661.

NHTSA ID
10436058
Incident
Nov 8, 2011
Mileage
124,661 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 12, 2011

ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS WHILE DRIVING MY 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE WENT OUT LEAVING ME WITHOUT LIGHTS FOR SEVERAL MONENTS. I DO NOT KNOW THE REASON WHY THIS IS KEEPS OCCURRING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHERS WITH SIMILAR YEAR MODEL FORD VEHICLES THAT THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THAT THERE IS SUPPOSE TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF OCCURANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10400699
Incident
May 11, 2011

Manufacturer communications

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

CSP 08B04

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF WISCONSIN AND CONNECTICUT UPGRADE MODIFICATIONS FOR HIGH SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *PE

02B02

EQUIPMENT

INSTALLATION OF OPTIONAL POLICE INTERCEPTOR PACKAGE UPGRADE KIT. *TT UPDATE PART 2. EXPIRATION DATE REMOVED. *TT

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03261

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

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
1994Viewing1927465.9
199318291065.4
199231091065.8
1991554264.8
1990433367.7
1989722367.0
1988422265.0
1987414370.4
1986271365.6
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.