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1990 Ford Crown VictoriaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 43 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

59
CarFlaw IndexSolid year32% below the Crown Victoria median · #18 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints4318 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem10Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 23, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria has problems

43 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 system106
Air bags71
Vehicle speed control75
Service brakes, hydraulic51
Fuel system, gasoline52
Engine and engine cooling40
Power train30
Structure30
Seat belts20
5 other systems80

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

2 recalls

1990 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

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 98V-322 · Dec 16, 1998 · 175,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 92V-075 · May 19, 1992 · 25,000 vehicles

Risk. INADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE ABRASION OF THE BRAKE LINEAND A LEAK CAN DEVELOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKESYSTEM AND INCREASED…

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

1990 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 1990 Ford Crown Victoria, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE LINE PUNCTURESEA92002 · closed May 21, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-075
  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.

WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY. *AK
Complaint 8005183 · Mar 8, 2002
DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 30 MPH, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
Complaint 986679 · Jul 10, 1996
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER TURNING THE KEY, RESULTING IN A TOTALLED FIRE, POSSIBLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IGNITION. *AK
Complaint 983914 · May 1, 1996

Own a 1990 Crown Victoria?

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