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1989 Ford Crown VictoriaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 72 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Crown Victoria median · #12 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7225 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage36kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 18, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria has problems

72 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system2417
Vehicle speed control114
Engine and engine cooling91
Seat belts60
Power train50
Visibility40
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Structure40
Equipment30
7 other systems111

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1989 Ford Crown Victoria recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Recall 90V-151 · Aug 21, 1990 · 225 vehicles

Risk. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS OF SEAL DETERIORATION, THE HOUSINGCOVER WOULD NOT CONTAIN FUEL, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF ASOURCE OF IGNITION, COULD…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Crown Victoria year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Crown Victoria median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEAT HOSE RESTRICTOR/FIRESPE91081 · closed Oct 29, 1991
    No recall
  2. BRAKE LINE PUNCTURESPE91125 · closed Jan 15, 1992
    No recall
  3. STEERING COLUMN FIRESPE92069 · closed Nov 30, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Crown Victoria owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT WAS PUT ON HIS VEHICLE ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL, WAS DEFECTIVE AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SWITCH WILL NOT TURN TO ACCESSORY AND THE KEY IS HARD TO GO IN THE IGNITION, THEN WHEN IT DOES GO IN IT SPARKS. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID…
Complaint 10012330 · Mar 24, 2003
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITH OUT WARNING, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE UNDER A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. *AK ORIGINAL TFI MODULE FAILED. *TT
Complaint 8004766 · Feb 28, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 4 MONTHS AND WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, RESULTING IN GARAGE BURNING DOWN AND VEHICLE BEING TOTALLED. PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS $54000.00.*AK *JG
Complaint 8003152 · Jan 30, 2002

Own a 1989 Crown Victoria?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.