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1992 Ford Crown Victoria

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crown Victoria years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 310 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports24 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

310 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON OWN ACCORD, MODERATELY TO 40-50 MPH (20 TO 30 TIMES). ABLE TO BRAKE AND CONTAIN. LAST TWO INCIDENTS, VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY RAPIDLY, TO IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH, UNABLE TO CONTAIN WITH BRAKES, HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV FOR 1 MINUTE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #752397

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN MAKING A HARD LEFT TURN ABS SYSTEM WOULD LOCK UP. HAD TO TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKES IN ORDER FOR ABS SYSTEM TO BE RELEASED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893989

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
Power Train

GEARS AT STEERING COLUMN FROZEN AND IT WAS DIFICULT TO SHIFT OR CHANGE GEARS DUE TO DEFECTIVE CABLE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #561716

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL PAN LEAKAGE DUE TO RUST/CORROSION. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #885705

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL PAN RUSTED AND LEAKING OIL PAINT PEALING,FORD ALREADY PAINTED SOME PANELS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743601

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHENEVER SPEEDING UP AND TRYING TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE STARTS TO SPUTTER, AND IT FEELS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO STALL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #883941

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility

DASHBOARD LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMENTETLY. HEADLIGHTS/WINDSHIELD, AND SUN ROOF ARE NOT OPERABLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK SUN ROOF HAD ELECTRICAL SURGE AND BLEW OUT A CONTROL MODULE. THE SAME THING OCCURED WITH LEFT REAR DOOR MOTOR. *YH

NHTSA ODI #881892

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

INTERMITTENT BRAKE PROBLEMS; BRAKES LOCK UP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HAD ROTORS TURNED, ROTORS/PADS REPLACED, ABS LIGHT STAYED ON, AND AT 45-60 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881707

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL WHICH RELATES TO RECALL 99V124, HOWEVER FORD FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT AND DENIED ANY LIABILITY FOR THE CLAIM. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC REFERENCED IN EA02-025

NHTSA ODI #559762

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2001
Exterior Lighting

LENS COVER ON HEADLIGHTS TURNS MILK. THIS CAUSES LIGHTS TO BE DIMMED, AND HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. PROBLEM WAS AN INCREASE IN DIMNESS.*AK BECAUSE THE OUTER HEAD LIGHT LENSES WERE MADE OF PLASTIC, THE ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT DESTROYED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #880281

Official recalls

7

08V051000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Feb 4, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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.

99V124000 · Electrical System

May 19, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.

98V322000 · 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).

97V024000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Mar 4, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER CAN WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN THE HOOD OPENING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED HOOD LATCH STRIKER (VEHICLES WITH 1992 MODEL HOODS) OR REVISED STRIKER PLATE ATTACHING FASTENERS (VEHICLES WITH 1993-1997 MODEL HOODS).

93V193000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Nov 23, 1993

AN UNUSED POWER SEAT HARNESS CONNECTOR IS POSITIONED ON THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT UNDER THE SEAT. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER IN AREAS THAT HAVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF SALT USED FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL, A PUDDLE OF SALTWATER CAN ACCUMULATE ON THE RUBBER FLOOR MATS, REPEATEDLY WETTING THE CONNECTOR. THIS WILL RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR, CAUSING A CURRENT TO FLOW BETWEEN THE TERMINALS WITHOUT TRIPPING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, CURRENT FLOW CAN HEAT THE CONNECTOR ANDRELEASE FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED CONNECTOR AND INSTALL A SEALED HEAT SHRINK CAP OVER THE AFFECTED WIRES.

92V023000 · Unknown Or Other

Feb 19, 1992

INCORRECT INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING ASSEMBLIES IN SOME VEHICLES WILL NOT ACTUATE THE "ANTI-LOCK" BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS OF FMVSS 105.THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE AWARE WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING.

Remedy: MODIFY THE WIRE ASSEMBLY TO ALLOW ACTUATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS.

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

10

EA02025 · Speed Control Deactivation Switch Fires

Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Jun 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

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.

DP02007 · FUEL-FED Fires

Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 4, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

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.

SQ01014 · Post Rear End Collision Fires

Opened Nov 27, 2001 · Closed Oct 3, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

There is no summary currently available

RQ01002 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Sep 20, 2001 · Closed Sep 6, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.

EA95011 · Undercarriage Fuel Line Interference

Opened Mar 29, 1995 · Closed Jan 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE94077 · Fuel Line Interference

Opened Nov 4, 1994 · Closed Mar 29, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE94073 · Brake Line Punctures

Opened Oct 4, 1994 · Closed Dec 28, 1994

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

There is no summary currently available

EA94022 · Steering Power Assist Fail

Opened Jun 30, 1994 · Closed Mar 2, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE94032 · Steering Power Assist Failure

Opened Apr 8, 1994 · Closed Jun 30, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE93086 · Hood FLY-UP While Driving

Opened Oct 1, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available