IllustrationWIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED.
1990 Ford Crown Victoria
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 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: 0 of 43 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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports7 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
43 reportsOWNER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, OWNER IS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY; SHE ALSO NOTES THAT DEALER SAID THAT A KIT IS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
POLICE PACKAGE, VEHICLE HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH NO WARNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS BRAKING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT.*AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE WIRING AROUND THE ALTERNATOR WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 30 MPH, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO FAILED SENSOR/MONITOR. *DH
PUT IN REVERSE AND CAR OVER ACCELLERATED. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH LETS OFF A METALIC ODOR. *SD
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER TURNING THE KEY, RESULTING IN A TOTALLED FIRE, POSSIBLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IGNITION. *AK
PURCHASED CAR NEW, ONE OUT OF THREE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE DEFECTIVE. DEALER CAN'T REPLACE ONE, HAS TO REPLACE ALL THREE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Official recalls
298V322000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Dec 16, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
92V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 19, 1992
THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE ABRASION OF THE BRAKE LINEAND A LEAK CAN DEVELOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKESYSTEM AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. RELOCATE LINES, IF NECESSARY.
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
EA92002 · Brake Line Punctures
Opened Jan 15, 1992 · Closed May 21, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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