1989 Ford CROWN VICTORIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
90,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 46 complaints (17.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 15.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 10.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 6.5% |
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 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 2
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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 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). 42 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 | 11 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 15; 2000: 4; 2001: 3; 2002: 4; 2003: 6; 2004: 2; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10049971 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)
THE FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOVES UNDER THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS INTERFERES WITH PERFORMANCE OF DEPRESSING AND ACCELERATING. THE FLOOR MAT MOVES WITH NO WARNING. *AK CONSUMER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FLOOR MAT MOVING UNDERNEATH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THIS INTERFERES WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE FLOOR MATS MOVE WITHOUT WARNING.*MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069982 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
PAINT: CLEAR COAT PEELED COMPLETELY OFF OF HOOD, TRUNK, ROOF, TOPS OF FENDERS, ALL AREAS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. SUSPENSION: REAR SPRINGS FATIQUED CAUSING PREMATURE SHOCK WARE. TRANSMISSION: LOSS OF THIRD GEAR AND OVER DRIVE, MAJOR FRONT SEAL LEAK, NEEDED COMPLETE OVERHAUL. OTHER: HEADLIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS AND/OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. BRAKES: SQUEALING AND FADING FRONT BRAKES, EXCESSIVE WARE ON FRONT PADS, REAR BRAKES DONT ADJUST CAUSING SEVERE NOSE-DIVING W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038976 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)
PLASTIC GROMMET ATTACHING LINKAGE FROM FUEL INJECTION UNIT TO TRANSMISSION BROKE. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 5 MILES TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE SHOP SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, AND REPLACED IT WITH A BRASS GROMMET, BUT TOLD ME THAT AS SOON AS THIS BREAKS, TRANSMISSION DAMAGE OCCURS. I NOW EITHER HAVE TO SPEND 1200 DOLLARS FOR A REBUILD, OR SCRAP A CAR WHICH IS OTHERWISE IN PERFECT SHAPE. IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? A 50 CENT PART IS COSTING 1200! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488829 · 1995-10-09 (October 9, 1995)
TIE RODS FAILED, CAUSING STEERING TO FAIL. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978990 · 1996-02-09 (February 9, 1996)
NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, DEALER DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557164 · 2000-11-08 (November 8, 2000)
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STALLING WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR ENTERING A RAMP TO THE INTERSTATE, CONSUMER FEELS IT MAY BE DUE TO 1) RECALL 95S28 REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH, 2) TSB REGARDING THE THROTTLE BODY LEVER GROMMET, AND 3) TSB REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE SHIFTING PROBLEMS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734206 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
HIGH SPEED STALLS OR MISS (TIRESIZE: 215R70 15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215R70 15 )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983350 · 1996-04-23 (April 23, 1996)
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983662 · 1996-04-26 (April 26, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, FLAMES STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN; MELTED ALL PLASTIC AND WIRING AROUND IGNITION SWITCH; FIRE PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983662 at NHTSA ↗