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1993 Ford Crown Victoria

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Crown Victoria years

Owner complaints for the 1993 Ford Crown Victoria are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 26 of 182 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports10 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

182 reports
95,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other

HOOD LATCH STRIKER BECAME UNATACHED WHILE DRIVING. HOOD RATTLED AND ROSE UP SLIGHTLY RELYING SOLY ON SAFETY LATCH. THE CAR WAS MANUFATURED IN CANADA AND THE VIN NO. DOES NOT CORRESPOND TO FORD. NO RECALLS SENT TOUS AS ORIGINAL OWNERS; ALTHOUGH ONE IS ON THE INTERNET 97V024000!!!

NHTSA ODI #11061539

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

*BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED EVERY FEW THOUSAND MILES, RESULTING GEAR SHIFT TO BE STUCK IN PARK. *CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691250

133,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Suspension

I WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR FELL TO THE GROUND WITH A SEVERE GRINDING NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566356

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2013
Seats

I BOUGHT A USED 1993 FORD CROWN VIC APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO, WHILE I EXPECTED I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MONEY INTO REPAIRS THE ONE THING I DIDN'T EXPECT WOULD BE HAVING TO REPAIR A SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP & OR MATERIALS. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AT VARIOUS SITES I FOUND THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS H…

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I BOUGHT A USED 1993 FORD CROWN VIC APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO, WHILE I EXPECTED I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MONEY INTO REPAIRS THE ONE THING I DIDN'T EXPECT WOULD BE HAVING TO REPAIR A SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP & OR MATERIALS. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AT VARIOUS SITES I FOUND THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT FRAME SHEARING AWAY FROM THE BOLTS IN CROWN VICS.I TRIED CONTACTING BOTH THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP & THE CORPORATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPT WITH NO SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION TO THIS MATTER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS DEFECT FLAW IN CROWN VICS THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS ALSO NEED TO BE LOOKED AT ON THIS ISSUE AS I'VE SEEN SOME POSTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THAT MAKE & MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534531

142,000 miles · Dec 29, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO ABRUPTLY FLY OPEN, OBSCURING THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CLOSE HIS HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO ABRUPTLY FLY OPEN, OBSCURING THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CLOSE HIS HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 142,000.

NHTSA ODI #10441664

140,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS ALSO DAMAGED AS WELL, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING ,WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPS. THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS ALSO DAMAGED AS WELL, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING ,WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM. HE REFERENCED THE RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM (95V194000) HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HONOR THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10355766

132,905 miles · Jan 6, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON WITH THE GEAR IN PARK THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. MOMENTS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD BEGUN ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON WITH THE GEAR IN PARK THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE BLUE AND BLACK SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. MOMENTS LATER THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD BEGUN ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT NOTICED PRIOR THAT FORD RECALL #08V051000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED ON HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132905.

NHTSA ODI #10298478

100,000 miles · May 17, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

FORD 1963 CROWN VICTORIA XL DRIVERS SIDE DOOR POPS OPEN WHILE MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228088

160,000 miles · May 4, 2008
Seats

DRIVERS SEAT LEANS BACK, POSSIBLE BROKEN FLOOR BOLT LIKE MENTIONED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE98041 ON A 1993 FORD CROWN VIC, ALSO KNEW OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 1992 CROWN VIC WHICH I NO LONGER OWN. DID THEY CHANGE THE SEAT BETWEEN 1993 AND 1198 MODELS? IF THEY DID NOT THEN THE RECALL SHOULD CERTAINLY INCLUDE OLDER MODEL …

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DRIVERS SEAT LEANS BACK, POSSIBLE BROKEN FLOOR BOLT LIKE MENTIONED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE98041 ON A 1993 FORD CROWN VIC, ALSO KNEW OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 1992 CROWN VIC WHICH I NO LONGER OWN. DID THEY CHANGE THE SEAT BETWEEN 1993 AND 1198 MODELS? IF THEY DID NOT THEN THE RECALL SHOULD CERTAINLY INCLUDE OLDER MODEL CROWN VICS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226581

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

1993 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE IN FEBRUARY 2008. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10223936

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

EA94020 · Grounding Strap Routing

Opened Jun 29, 1994 · Closed Nov 21, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

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

PE94015 · Grounding Strap Routing

Opened Feb 14, 1994 · Closed Jun 29, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

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