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1994 Ford Crown Victoria

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crown Victoria years

Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 24 of 192 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports14 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

19 reports
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130,000 miles · Apr 28, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ON THE DATE NOTED, I PARKED MY 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA IN MY DRIVEWAY SHUT IT OFF AND WENT INSIDE TO PERFORM SOME ERRANDS. WHILE INSIDE I HEARD A LARGE BOOM, FOLLOWED BY A CAR HORN SOUNDING INTERMITTENTLY. I RAN TO THE WINDOW EXPECTING TO SEE A VEHICLE CRASH BY MY HOUSE AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING THROUGH THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS S…

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ON THE DATE NOTED, I PARKED MY 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA IN MY DRIVEWAY SHUT IT OFF AND WENT INSIDE TO PERFORM SOME ERRANDS. WHILE INSIDE I HEARD A LARGE BOOM, FOLLOWED BY A CAR HORN SOUNDING INTERMITTENTLY. I RAN TO THE WINDOW EXPECTING TO SEE A VEHICLE CRASH BY MY HOUSE AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING THROUGH THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE POWER BOOSTER AREA ,WITH A LARGE HOLE WHERE THE HOOD USED TO BE. THE FLAMES WERE SHOOTING ABOUT 10-12 FEET INTO THE AIR AND IGNITED THE PITCH PINE AND LEAVES ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE. I CALLED 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE, RAN OUTSIDE AND USED MY GARDEN HOSE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE UNTIL FIRE APPARATUS ARRIVED. THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER HOOD AREA WAS ESPECIALLY GUTTED AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, DESTROYING VARIOUS PERSONAL ITEMS ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND SOME SMALL TREES BELONGING TO MY NEIGHBORS. THE LOCAL FIRE MARSHALL DID AN INVESTIGATION ALONG WITH TAKING NUMEROUS PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE AND STATED IT WAS ACCIDENTAL IN NATURE AND STARTED, AS MY DESCRIPTION PREVIOUSLY STATES,IN THE DRIVERS SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND GIVEN MY LACK OF INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT, I HAD NO REASON TO WANT TO DESTROY MY ONLY MEANS OF EARNING A MY LIVELIHOOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225953

160,000 miles · Jan 31, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND OUT WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR, BUT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN A DATE WITHI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND OUT WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR, BUT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN A DATE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLS GAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE ONLY NOTICES THE SMELL WHILE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10216569

85,000 miles · Aug 30, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

1994 CROWN VICTORIA CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR *JB

NHTSA ODI #10135601

100,000 miles · Nov 25, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10048630

95,000 miles · Jul 16, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

1- HEADLIGHT COVERS TURNING YELLOW THREE TIMES I REPLACED THEM 2 -SMELL OF GAS AFTER FUELING - STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN TURNING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028412

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING, STRONG GAS FUMES FILLED THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NLM *SCC

NHTSA ODI #10002424

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS INSTALLED A UNROTTLED POSITION SENSOR TO MONITOR THE OCCURRENCE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016138

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE KNOW OF SEVERAL POLICE DEPTS WHO HAVE THESE CARS AND SIMILAR FAILURES. YET NO DEALER IS WILLING TO REPORT TO FORD OR FORD WONT RECALL A LIFE OF A POLICE OFFICER COULD BE ENDED IF THIS FAILURE IS DURING A CHASE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #759450

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, AND WHEN ENGINE IS HOT. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN.*AK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION THE KEY WOULD BE VERY WARM, THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 30000 MILES. NLM

NHTSA ODI #894183

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE & SMOKING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A HEAD GASKET LEAK, AND IT HAD DONE SOME MAJOR DAMAGE TO ENGINE. THIS WAS HAPPENING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS CORRECTED IN THE 96 FORD ENGINE MODELS, THERE…

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VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE & SMOKING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A HEAD GASKET LEAK, AND IT HAD DONE SOME MAJOR DAMAGE TO ENGINE. THIS WAS HAPPENING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS CORRECTED IN THE 96 FORD ENGINE MODELS, THEREFORE IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #862556

Official recalls

6

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.

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).

95V194000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm

Oct 11, 1995

THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS TO THE FRAME MOUNTING BRACKETS CAN LOOSEN AND FRACTURE AT ONE OF THE BOLT HOLES CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL NEGATIVE CAMBER AND STEERING PULL TO THE AFFECTED SIDE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRACKET FRACTURED AT BOTH BOLT HOLES, THE STEERING CONTROL ARM CAN CONTACT THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE LEVELS OF THE FOUR UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BOLTS, AND IF ANY ARE LOOSE, THE BRACKETS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE IS PRESENT, IT WILL BE REPAIRED.

94V152000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Aug 9, 1994

THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE ADAPTOR TO THE AXLE HOUSING FLANGE CAN LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE. IF ONE OR MORE OF THE NUTS COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY OR TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR AND SENSOR RING (IF SO EQUIPPED) WILL OCCUR. IF ALL FOUR NUTS ON ONE END OF THE AXLE COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE OR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE CAN OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEEDED, INSTALL NEW BOLTS. IF ANY OF THE FASTENERS ARE DISCONNECTED, THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED.

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

4

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.