1994 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 192 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (12% of complaints).
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 192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the pedal became spongy. Additionally, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed a leak coming from the brake line. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 94V152000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria equipped with michelin ltx m/s tires, size: p235/75r-15. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate. Suddenly, the front driver side tire experienced a blow out. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The dot number, VIN, and failure mileage were unavailable.”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle erroneously accelerated to 85 mph. The vehicle failed to slow down with the brake pedal being engaged. The engine was turned off and the vehicle came to a stop. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred five months later. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“On several occassions while driving my 1994 ford crown victoria at night, the headlights on my vehicle have went out leaving me without lights for several monents. I do not know the reason why this is keeps occurring. I have been told by others with similar year model ford vehicles that they have had similar problems and that there is suppose to be a recall for this type of occurance. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2011
“1994 crown victoria erupted into flames when started. First smoke came from the dashboard then flames. The car was parked in my driveway and so the siding on the house melted. The car is a total loss. This happened yesterday july, 16, 2010. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that the antilock braking system continued to lock while driving various speeds. An independent mechanic investigated the failure and found that the braking hardware separated and the emergency brake failure affected the axle. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 94v152000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components). The current and failure mileages were less than 76,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2009
“July of 2008 I purchased replacement headlights (not lamps) from autoparts warehouse.com. I believe the brand name was "depo". I believe the part numbers are 331-1117r & 331-1117l. The metal reflectors inside both units melted their plastic stantions and became loose which enabled them to repeatedly hit the headlamps burning them out. I called the supplier to get new units within 60 days of the purchase and to inform them of the defects. They allowed for a complicated return/exchange which I was unable to utilize. Now I need it exchanged to sell the car. It is a hazard to drive further in this condition. The parts carried a one year warranty as do their new brand of the same items. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 crown victoria. The contact received a safety recall notice for the vehicle speed control on 03/2008. After making an appointment, he was told that a diagnostic check could not be performed on his vehicle. The dealer stated that they were able to perform the recall repair. The purchase date was not available and the vehicle was a gift. There are no failures at this time. The current mileage was 138,624.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria. The contact placed the vehicle into reverse and then drive, and the vehicle instantly went out of control. The contact depressed the brake pedal and placed the vehicle into neutral, but the vehicle continued for approximately 100 feet before it struck a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle sustained damage, but was not destroyed. The front driver side of the vehicle struck the tree at a large degree. The hood was also bent. The contact was injured and a police report was filed. The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 30,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000(vehicle speed control). He was informed that the part was unavailable. The deactivation switch was disconnected. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 113,524. Updated 01/14/08. *lj updated 01/14/08 *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 33 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 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.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS TO THE FRAME MOUNTING BRACKETS CAN LOOSEN AND FRACTURE AT ONE OF THE BOLT HOLES CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL NEGATIVE CAMBER AND STEERING PULL TO THE AFFECTED SIDE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE LEVELS OF THE FOUR UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BOLTS, AND IF ANY ARE LOOSE, THE BRACKETS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE IS PRESENT, IT WILL BE REPAIRED.
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).
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.
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.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE ADAPTOR TO THE AXLE HOUSING FLANGE CAN LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE. IF ONE OR MORE OF THE NUTS COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY OR TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR AND SENSOR RING (IF SO EQUIPPED) WILL OCCUR. IF ALL FOUR NUTS ON ONE END OF THE AXLE COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE OR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEEDED, INSTALL NEW BOLTS. IF ANY OF THE FASTENERS ARE DISCONNECTED, THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 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 1994 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 192 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is suspension (12% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 111,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
7 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.