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: 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
What owners actually said
192 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS OUT OF OVER DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THEN GOES BACK INTO OVERDRIVE, VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AT THIS POINT. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR RETRIEVE FAULT CODES FROM UNIT. VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES WITH NO LUCK OF FI…
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TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS OUT OF OVER DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THEN GOES BACK INTO OVERDRIVE, VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AT THIS POINT. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR RETRIEVE FAULT CODES FROM UNIT. VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES WITH NO LUCK OF FINDING PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #730772
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Structure
TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY (APPROX. SPEED 70-75) HOOD FLYS OPEN. CAUSING LOSS OF VISION AND SWERVING OFF ROAD. VERY FRIEGHTNING SMASHED WINDSHIELD IN SMASHED ROOF IN! AFTER QUESTIONING FORD MOTOR CO. THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR FAULT AND WILL NOT REPLACE ANY OF THE DEFECTIVE OR DAMAGED PARTS. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. TWO TIMES BOTH TIM…
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TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY (APPROX. SPEED 70-75) HOOD FLYS OPEN. CAUSING LOSS OF VISION AND SWERVING OFF ROAD. VERY FRIEGHTNING SMASHED WINDSHIELD IN SMASHED ROOF IN! AFTER QUESTIONING FORD MOTOR CO. THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR FAULT AND WILL NOT REPLACE ANY OF THE DEFECTIVE OR DAMAGED PARTS. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. TWO TIMES BOTH TIMES THE SAID THERE WERE NO CAMPAIGNS ON THIS CAR. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE HOOD STRICKER PLATE WAS RIVETED TO THE TOP AND THERE WAS NO RIVETS LEFT;HOOD STICKING PLATE WAS STILL LOCKED TO THE HOOD LATCH. I AM ASKING THAT THEY HAVE OBVIOUSLY NOT RECALLED ENOUGH CARS IF OUR CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL YET IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE OTHER 125000 CARS. PLEASE HELP ME IN GETTING SOMETHING DONE FAST. PLEASE THIS IS COMING CLOSE TO MY LAST RESORT. THANKYOU FOR HAVING THIS WEB SITE I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHERE TO TURN IF THIS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. EX...( TO ME THIS IS THE SAME TO ME AS IF YOU WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR GAS TANK FELL OFF)IT IS NOT THE OWNERS FAULT THERE IS NO WAY I COULD HAVE KNOWN OR DONE ANY THING ABOUT THIS. AGAIN T ANK YOU VERY MUCH CONCERING MFG. CAMPAIGN #97S63
NHTSA ODI #728980
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Steering
HYDRAULIC CONTROLS WITHIN THE STEERING GEAR BOX DO NOT CENTER, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #868102
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2000
Power Train
SHUDDERS WHILE GOING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, LIKE IT'S SLIPPING OR NOT CATCHING THE GEAR RIGHT AWAY.
NHTSA ODI #728163
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2000
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE YELLOW AND CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #866043
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
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED ON THREE DOORS. REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS FROZEN IN THE LOCKED POSITION MAKING DOOR OPENING IMPOSSIBLE. SAFETY HAZARD IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721982
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2000
Visibility
WHILE TRYING TO ROLL WINDOW UP WINDOW WOULD NOT MOVE. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUSH WINDOW UP BY HAND, IN MOST CASES WINDOW WOULD DROP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860890
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2000
SteeringSuspension
VEHICLE WANDERS WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. STEERING FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED STEERING BOX. BUT, PROBLEM CONTINUED & DELAER COULDN'T ADJUST IT ANYMORE. WHEEL ALIGNMENT COULDN'T BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE STEERING BOX ADJUSTMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860273
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2000
Air Bags
TURNED VEHICLE ON AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
1994 Ford Crown Victoria Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year