IllustrationCONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Crown Victoria years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
What owners actually said
72 reportsENTIRE EXTERIOR PAINT SURFACE IS PEELING. *AK
VEHICLE FIRE.
WHEN UNHOOKED SUNVISOR SWINGS STRIKING DRIVER IN FACE, KNOCKING OFF GLASSES.
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS VEHICLE HAD AN RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH. THINKS THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS STARTED THE FIRE. 96V071000. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE IGNITION AND CAUSED A FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL (96V-071). *AK
STARTED ENGINE, SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE, VEHICLE SHOUT OUT OF DRIVEWAY, RAN ACROSS ROAD INTO NEIGHBORS YARD, WENT THRU FENCE, DRIVER LOSS TOTAL CONTROL, VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER GOING THRU TWO YARDS PLUS MORE, NO PRIOR WARNING.*AK
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH, FOOT ON GAS PEDAL; MAINTAINING STEADY SPEED; ENGINE KEPT ACCELERATING; NO PRIOR WARNING, TOLD BY DEALER, CABLE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK DOWN.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Official recalls
296V071000 · 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
3PE92069 · 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