1986 Ford CROWN VICTORIA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 22 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 22.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 22.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
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 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Structure:Body:Hood: 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 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 22 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
1995: 3; 1996: 13; 2000: 3; 2001: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 481752 · 1995-02-19 (February 19, 1995)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504661 · 1996-05-20 (May 20, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTS, CAUSING GUAGES, CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504933 · 1996-05-28 (May 28, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727935 · 2000-08-15 (August 15, 2000)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY ODOR COMING FROM MY CAR. I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SNOKE BEGAN TO PUUR INTO THE INSIDE OF MY CAR AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT CHANGED I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK MY CAR. I POPED THE HOOD AND THERE WERE FLAMES . I RAN TO A NEARBY RESTAURANT AND ASKED THEM TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WHEN I WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WAIT FOR THE FIRE DEPT. MY CAR WAS TRYING TO START ITSELF. THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE IN M…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 730132 · 2000-09-04 (September 4, 2000)
THERE HAS BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, LET MY WINDOWS UP OR DOWN OR ADJUST MY SEAT (ELECTRIC), THERE IS INTERFERENCE WITH THE RADIO AND THAT TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS REFUSED TO LET UP 3 TIMES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS, I AM ABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. I HAVE ALSO HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STALLING WHENEVER I AM AT A STOP SIGN (OR LIGHT), AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THIS HAS ALMO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 730132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737431 · 2000-12-06 (December 6, 2000)
GOING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE STALLS AND YOU CAN HEAR A WHINING NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS TURN. . HAVE BEEN TO 2 MECHANICS AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT GOOD ON ANALYZER. HELP PLEASE! BEFORE I HAVE ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738968 · 2001-01-07 (January 7, 2001)
ENGINE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. MY HUSBAND BARELY GOT THE CAR PULLED OVER WITH OUT AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE CAR IS PARKED. MY HUSBAND WAS AN ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN FOR 20 YEARS. HE SAID THE TFI MODULE IS THE FAILED PART.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801386 · 1996-09-30 (September 30, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND GOT OUT AND THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801386 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗