1992 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 310 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints); the 1990 and 1991 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2008
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 310 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car kept accelerating after I let off. I had to stand on the brakes to make it stop. The front wheels locked up but the car kept moving. Using 250-280 pounds of pressure on the brake pedal I finally stopped without incident. The incident can be viewed at youtube. It is titled ram cam episode 5. It is the last part of the video. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the cruise control would not deactivate when the brakes were depressed and would accelerate instead. The dealer was contacted and they informed him that they would return his call within a few days. The manufacturer was contacted but would not assist due to the age of the vehicle. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 103,500. Updated 08/10/11*lj the consumer stated when the cruise control was activated, the vehicle would accelerate instead of decelerate when the brake was applied. Updated 08/12/11*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2011
“1.riding one night headlights just go off on the highway,smelled plastic burning/ 2.headlight switch overheating melting plug connected to wiring/ happens all the time/ fire or even cause a wreck or get a traffic violation. 3.changed switch changed plug same thing happened again &again,looked at parts on other cars same model same year different model different year same problem in the same spot!! [ the ford 1992 crown victoria]. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 ford crown victoria. The contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control: cruise control. While at a local repair shop, the mechanic identified another failure in the fuel line. The dealer informed the contact that they had the parts available and advised her to bring the vehicle in for repair. At the time, she could not drive to the dealer due to the fuel line failure. The purchase date and recall number were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 91,000. Updated 07/07/08. *lj water leaked inside the vehicle. Updated*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 crown victoria. While driving speeds ranging from 20 to 40 mph, the vehicle began idling and attempted to shut off. The vehicle was shut off and restarted. The contact noticed water leaking from the bottom of the transmission and the check engine light illuminated. The steering column was installed backwards, which caused the features of the steering column not to operate normally. The current mileage was 232,871 and the approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 03/23/09. *lj updated 03/24/09*jb”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2007
“High pressure fuel line leak due where it passes (paired with the return line - also leaking) under the left rear frame arch. Lines were worn through where they contacted frame (should have been shielded or clamped). Repaired (since part is only available paired with brake lines for$400+ from dealer) using bulk steel tube with compression fittings. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2004
“While driving 60 mph the brake sensor light came on and the vehicle began smoking without warning. When the consumer pulled off the road he noticed that flames were coming from the front end. As a result the vehicle was considered a total loss. *nm the fire department indicated it was a electrical fire. *bf”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2004
“Rear air ride suspension pump failure . The pump fails to air up the rear of the vechile, resulting in the rear of the vechile to drag on bumps, dips, ect. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2004
“While driving at 55 mph, the hood flew up and cracked the windshield. The mechanic examined the vehicle and found there was a recall on the latch, but it was only for crown victoria police cars. *ak recall#97v024000. The fan belt had gone out along with the power steering. *sc *jb”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2004
“While driving vehicle suddenly accelerated. The consumer was able maintain control of the vehicle. The consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection, however the mechanic could not duplicate the problem.*ak the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 80 mph while the cruise control was activated. The consumer pulled over and turned off the vehicle's ignition. When the vehicle was restarted it continued to accelerate. A recall was issued in 1999 for the 1992 crown victoria's. *nm”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF SHARP-EDGED, HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.
Remedy: FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF 2002. FORD HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW WEB SITE AT WWW.CVPI.COM TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFE USE OF CPVI VEHICLES.
AN UNUSED POWER SEAT HARNESS CONNECTOR IS POSITIONED ON THE RUBBER FLOOR MAT UNDER THE SEAT. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN COLD WEATHER IN AREAS THAT HAVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF SALT USED FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL, A PUDDLE OF SALTWATER CAN ACCUMULATE ON THE RUBBER FLOOR MATS, REPEATEDLY WETTING THE CONNECTOR. THIS WILL RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR, CAUSING A CURRENT TO FLOW BETWEEN THE TERMINALS WITHOUT TRIPPING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE UNUSED CONNECTOR AND INSTALL A SEALED HEAT SHRINK CAP OVER THE AFFECTED WIRES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE AND TAXI VEHICLES. THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER CAN WEAR OR BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED HOOD LATCH STRIKER (VEHICLES WITH 1992 MODEL HOODS) OR REVISED STRIKER PLATE ATTACHING FASTENERS (VEHICLES WITH 1993-1997 MODEL HOODS).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE LINES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE A SECTION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES IF IT IS LEAKING. ALSO THE RUBBER SHIELD ON THE LINE WILL BE INSPECTED TO VERIFY THAT IT IS PROPERLY LOCATED AND IT WILL BE SECURED WITH AN ADDITIONAL WORM-DRIVE TYPE CLAMP.
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
INCORRECT INSTRUMENT PANEL WIRING ASSEMBLIES IN SOME VEHICLES WILL NOT ACTUATE THE "ANTI-LOCK" BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS.
Remedy: MODIFY THE WIRE ASSEMBLY TO ALLOW ACTUATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS.
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).
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1992 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 310 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 101,750 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. 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.