Illustration1994 CROWN VICTORIA ERUPTED INTO FLAMES WHEN STARTED. FIRST SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASHBOARD THEN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND SO THE SIDING ON THE HOUSE MELTED. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY JULY, 16, 2010. *TR
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 →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: 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
Electrical System complaints
11 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 08V051000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL WAS PERFORMED, THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT PAID TO H…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIR FOR RECALL 08V051000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL WAS PERFORMED, THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT PAID TO HAVE THE SPEEDOMETER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,730 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. SHE RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. ON FEBRUARY 22, 2008, THE CONTACT HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. SHE RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL IN FEBRUARY OF 2008. ON FEBRUARY 22, 2008, THE CONTACT HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS ACTIVATED, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BASE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ON THE 25TH OF FEBRUARY AND THEY INSTALLED A LOCK-SET AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY DIRECTION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT SHE SHOULD RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES TO AND FROM THE DEALER AS WELL AS FOR WORRY OF A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,390. UPDATED 03-31-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. UPDATED 03/31/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SQUEAKED AND SQUEALED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PROVIDE DETAILED FAILURE INFORMATION. SHE STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT CONTROL UPPER ARM UPPER BALL JOINTS AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SQUEAKED AND SQUEALED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PROVIDE DETAILED FAILURE INFORMATION. SHE STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT CONTROL UPPER ARM UPPER BALL JOINTS AND LOWER BALL JOINTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #95V194000, 98V322000). THE MILEAGE INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE BECAUSE THE ODOMETER FAILED AT 162,000 MILES.
CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF HOME. HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 1.5 HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE. ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD TO REST OF CAR. ENGINE, HOOD, GRILL TOTALLY MELTED. VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-025
TRANS. SHUTTERS BETWEEN AROUND 35 MPH & AGAIN @ 50 MPH. SERVICED TWICE. ELECT. - VOLTAGE DROPS AT IDLE WHILE IN GEAR - ALL LIGHTS & ELECTRICAL DIM BUT COME BACK UPON ACCELERATION. NEW BATTERY; NEW ALTERNATOR. SAME PROBLEM.
CAR PARKED IN GARAGE AT 4:15PM 2-10. AT APROX. 12:15AM 2-11 BEEPING WAS HEARD COMING FROM GARAGE AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT. FIRE DEPT CAME AND CROWN VICTORIA WAS IN FLAMES. CAR WAS TOTALLED. SECOND CAR HAS $6000 IN DAMAGE. GARAGE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH ESTIMATES AT $12,000.-- TO $13,000.00. IF GARAGE WERE NOT DETACHED THE …
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CAR PARKED IN GARAGE AT 4:15PM 2-10. AT APROX. 12:15AM 2-11 BEEPING WAS HEARD COMING FROM GARAGE AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT. FIRE DEPT CAME AND CROWN VICTORIA WAS IN FLAMES. CAR WAS TOTALLED. SECOND CAR HAS $6000 IN DAMAGE. GARAGE MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH ESTIMATES AT $12,000.-- TO $13,000.00. IF GARAGE WERE NOT DETACHED THE DAMAGES AND POSSIBLITY OF INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN SUBSTANCIALLY HIGHER. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-025
I HAVE REPEATEDLY REQUESTED MY VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1) THE ENGINE NOCKS EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER GOING UP HILL. 2) THE VEHICLE INSTERMITTENTLY EMITS A HIGH PITCHED ELECTRONIC BEEPING SOUND SIMILAR TO A TUNING FORK. IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO SOUNDS COMING FROM PERSONAL COMPUTERS. THIS SOUND OCCURS IN CONJUNCT…
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I HAVE REPEATEDLY REQUESTED MY VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: 1) THE ENGINE NOCKS EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER GOING UP HILL. 2) THE VEHICLE INSTERMITTENTLY EMITS A HIGH PITCHED ELECTRONIC BEEPING SOUND SIMILAR TO A TUNING FORK. IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO SOUNDS COMING FROM PERSONAL COMPUTERS. THIS SOUND OCCURS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NOCKING OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE REQUESTED THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. I POINTED OUT TO THEM THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE CAR'S POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) BUT THEY CLAIM THEY UNVERIFIED PROBLEM IS UNRELATED TO THAT COMPONENT. INCIDENTALLY, THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER IS 96-25-11. THE BULLETIN INSTRUCTS THE TECHNICIAN TO REPROGRAM THE PCM. THANKS. *AK
LOCATION OF HORN BUTTONS CAUSE DIFFICULTY ACCESSING IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
BATTERY FAILED.
Official recalls
608V051000 · 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
4EA02025 · 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.