1987 Ford CROWN VICTORIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
99,477 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 30 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 5 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 27 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 10; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029264 · 2003-07-26 (July 26, 2003)
TFI MODULE SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE. FORTUNATELY SPEED WAS ONLY 15 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 99,477 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 761377 · 2002-04-30 (April 30, 2002)
LOUD POPPING SOUND HEARD. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. VISIBLE FAILURE ON RIGHT FRONT AS TIRE WAS TURNED TOWARD THE ENGINE AT THE TOP AND TURNED OUTWARD AT THE PAVEMENT. REAR UPPER BODY FRAME COMPLETE SEPARATION BY 2 INCHES, AND FRONT UPPER BODY FRAME VISIBLE FRACTURE AND READY FOR SEPARATION. ENGINE WAS RESTING ON THE MANIFOLD. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MOVING ANY FASTER THAN 5MPH, THERE WOULD OR COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY HAD THE ENGINE COLLAPSED COMPLETELY TO THE PAVEMENT WHILE TRAVELLING. I THOUGHT IT WAS A UNIVERSAL JOINT OR A FAILED…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 761377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967344 · 1995-06-20 (June 20, 1995)
THE CAR ENGINE RACES REAL HIGH AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR. URATHANE GROMMET CRACKED AND FELL OFF. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973875 · 1995-10-25 (October 25, 1995)
HAD PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED. TT CONSUMER STATES THIS MODEL THROUGH 1989 HAS A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR GROMMET, WHEN THE GROMMET FAILS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATOR CONTROL, CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD HAS NOTIFIED ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLE IF THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER, HOWEVER SECOND OR THIRD OWNERS HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020446 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856403 · 2000-02-07 (February 7, 2000)
CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED INTO THE TRAFFIC. CONSUMER STATED IT HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732689 · 2000-09-27 (September 27, 2000)
I OWN A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA S/W WHOSE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED IN 1998 BY A FORD DEALER IN DUNDALK, MD. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A "FORD REMANUFACTURED" UNIT ALONG WITH THE CONNECTOR. LAST WEEK I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE ABOUT 200 YARDS WHEN I NOTICED THE "AMP" LIGHT SHOWING RED ON THE DASH PANEL AND MY WIFE CONCURRENTLY YELLING "THERE'S SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD". I DID A "U" TURN AND PROCEEDED TO MY GARAGE WHERE I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT FROM THE BACK OF THE ALTERNATOR AND THEN IT BURST INTO FLAMES. I DOUSED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801119 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
WHILE PARKED NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, AFTER DISCONNECTING BATTERY FOUND 1/4 OF IGNITION WIRING HAD BURNT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506095 · 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
GAS TANK RUSTED, CAUSING IT TO LEAK. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986304 · 1996-07-19 (July 19, 1996)
LEAKING GAS TANK DUE TO RUST ON THE INSIDE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986304 at NHTSA ↗