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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

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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

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 HEADLIG…

Read full complaint

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 ODI #10069982

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Unknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #705573

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