SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1989 Ford Crown Victoria

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →
72Owner complaints

Model-year median: 53

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
198641
198742
198872
198943
199055
1991310
1992
Compare all Crown Victoria years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
24Vehicle Speed Control
11Engine And Engine Cooling
9Seat Belts
6Power Train
5
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Structure
4Visibility
4Equipment
3Seats
3Steering
2Tires
2Unknown Or Other
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Suspension
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 72 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports20 fire reports2 injury reports

Equipment complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2003
Equipment

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 DEP…

Read full complaint

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 ODI #10049971

Mileage unknown · May 12, 1999
Electrical SystemEquipmentVehicle Speed Control

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 THI…

Read full complaint

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 ODI #837819

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION FAILED. ALSO, CLIMATE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, AND DOOR LOCKS FREEZE IN WINTER, UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR.

NHTSA ODI #533731

Official recalls

2

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

90V151000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Aug 21, 1990

GLASS ELEMENT THAT SEPARATES ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY FROM PRESSURIZED FUEL MAY LOOSEN AND CREATE AN OPENING THAT COULD ALLOW PRESSURIZED FUEL TO ENTER BODY OF SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER THESE CONDITIONS OF SEAL DETERIORATION, THE HOUSINGCOVER WOULD NOT CONTAIN FUEL, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF ASOURCE OF IGNITION, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: INSTALL NEW OPTICAL SENSORS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE92069 · Steering Column Fires

Opened Aug 3, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE91125 · Brake Line Punctures

Opened Sep 11, 1991 · Closed Jan 15, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE91081 · Heat Hose Restrictor/fires

Opened Jun 3, 1991 · Closed Oct 29, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

There is no summary currently available