1990 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Consumer stated having the same problems as recall#98v32000 lower control arm. Dealer will not repair because VIN is not incleded. Ts”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2003
“Airbag light blinks constantly. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they told consumer that this vehicle was not included in recall 90 e 043 001 due to VIN. Please provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2001
“Vehicle has stalled 3 days in a row. Dealer will agree to fix vehicle at the consumer's cost. But they cannot guarantee that it won't happen again.*ak the ignition module is placed too close to the engine resulting in the overheating of the module and causing the engine to stall. *yh”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle stalls in hot weather without prior warning. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership. Dealership could not duplicated the problem. The problem although infrequent presents any long trips. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2000
“While driving 65 mph right rear tire suffered a tread separation. But, tire did not flatten out right away. Firestone fr505 p215/70 r15. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2000
“Rear brakes went out due to corrosion. This caused a brake fluid leak and loss of rear brakes. Also, fuel return line is corroding. Dealer repaired the brake line, and problem is reoccurring. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2000
“Cosumer took vehicle to dealership to have brakes repaired due to hanging up and not braking. At the same time, the overdrive hung up and the vehicle will not start. Dealership's #800-683-5112---world ford dealership, homestead, pa. Consumer. Also, had problems with the fuel gauge not functioning, gauge has been repaired three times, full tank is registering (e) empty. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 1999
“Consumer started automobile up and it took off by itself at a very high rate of speed. Vehicle hit a pole, injuring the driver's wife. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 1998
“While getting into the vehicle and starting the vehicle up, put the gear into drive and the vehicle took off by itself, causing the consumer to hit a pole, and the vehicle stopped.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 1998
“The consumer has been experiencing problems with automatic transmission. When putting foot on the accelerator, the vehicle wouldn't change gears unless it was in overdrive. The manufacturer has yet to be contacted. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.
Remedy: REPAIR ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. RELOCATE LINES, IF NECESSARY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
How other years compare
Check your exact Crown Victoria by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is electrical system (21% of complaints).
Does the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.