1987 Ford CROWN VICTORIA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10022132 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)
THE SPRING INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE BUCKLE DID NOT LOCK (BUCKLE SERIAL NUMBER 2CM328401 ALLIED CHEMICAL). *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 114,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022132 at NHTSA ↗
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 10227132 · 2008-05-09 (May 9, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000. UPDATED 06/04/08. *LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483296 · 1995-08-24 (August 24, 1995)
ACCELERATOR STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504506 · 1996-05-15 (May 15, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505034 · 1996-06-05 (June 5, 1996)
DOOR HINGE SPRING DEFECTIVE, CAUSING DOOR TO CLOSE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505081 · 1996-06-05 (June 5, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505081 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V012000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
Reported: 1987-02-09 (February 9, 1987)
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Consequence: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V131000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Reported: 1987-08-17 (August 17, 1987)
FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.
Consequence: BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗88V028000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 1988-03-08 (March 8, 1988)
AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
Consequence: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
Remedy: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗