1988 Ford CROWN VICTORIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
63,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 28 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
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 | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 26 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
1995: 4; 1996: 15; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2010: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 558605 · 2000-12-14 (December 14, 2000)
DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN AN INTERSECTION. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558613 · 2001-01-03 (January 3, 2001)
IGNITION MODULE ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL, ONCE STALLED THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018183 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
NHTSA# 96-V-071-000: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDE DUE TO VIN# DEALER NOTIFIED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734097 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
I HAVE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE ($77.29), TPS ($29.89), HAD A DIAGNOSTIC ($30.00), CAP/ROTOR/PLUGS/WIRES REPLACED ($72.29), NEW STARTER ($32.89), FUEL FILTER ($17.89), VACCUM TEST ($42.69), BATTERY CHARGE CHECK (FREE), ALTINATOR TEST (FREE) AND MY CAR STILL STALLS AND IS HARD TO START. PLEASE CONTATCT ME CONCERNING THIS MATTER. SOMETHING IS DEFENETLY GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I HOPE A SAFETY MATTER CAN BE REVEALED BEFORE ANY GETS HURT OR KILLED. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING OUR VEHICLES SAFE ON THE ROAD AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979043 · 1996-02-12 (February 12, 1996)
NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982935 · 1996-04-18 (April 18, 1996)
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND A FIRE STARTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND ENGULED THE CAR IN FLAMES. PLEASE DESCCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 766768 · 2002-09-05 (September 5, 2002)
CAR ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T LET UP. TO KEEP FROM CRASHING INTO OTHERS WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RUIN THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE THE CAR WOULD STOP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 766768 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986095 · 1996-07-15 (July 15, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCES CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONING WHEN CRUISE FAILS TO DISENGAGE UPON APPYING BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986095 at NHTSA ↗