1995 Ford Crown Victoria: problems, recalls and reliability
12 recalls and 250 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (38% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Steering wheel is loose, feels like it could come. Air bag light is on, cruise controlnot working correctly. All these things are safety related and should be fixed. I think steering wheel should be repaired free of charge, since it's a major problem.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 85 mph. The contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not respond. The contact had to shut the vehicle off while in drive in order to stop the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign I.d. Number 08v051000 (vehicle speed control) and called the dealer, who stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact did not have a diagnostic test performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 181,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed. In addition, the horn failed. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 08v051000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while exiting a residential drive way, the driver's side front suspension ball joint fractured and separated from the vehicle. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 98v322000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 192,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the driver side front fell to the ground and the tire buckled inward. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the ball joint had come out from the socket and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2011
“I have a 1995 ford crown victoria with 83,000 miles on it. The control arm dropped and hit the road, causing loss of steering. Lucky for us we were going slow turning into a place of business, if we were going fast it could have been bad news. This car started a squeak on the front a little while ago, I guess it had something to do with it. I have noticed alot of 90's and some 2000's model fords have this same squeak. I contacted ford, and they said there was no recall on my model, I told them there should be. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph and attempting to decelerate, the brakes failed. The vehicle was put into neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the brake line was corroded. The brake line was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2010
“1995 crown victoria had a blow out on the expressway at 55 mph at about midnight after picking up our grandson from the airport don't know for sure if ball joint broke first or tire did my husband managed to get the car to the side of the road without hitting any thing. This happened may 24th 2009 the other ball joint just broke today august 16 2010 car was going about 5mph when it happened today. What are the odds this was just a coincidences or this was a defect in manufacturing someone could have been killed. We were lucky. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. The contact was experiencing steering failure. He stated that the ball joints were loose on the vehicle and should be tighter. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 96v135000 (steering:linkages). The failure and current mileages were less than 140,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford crown victoria. While pulling out of the driveway at an unknown speed, the brake line exploded. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 98i001000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 125,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 12 campaigns
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
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.
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE NON-CYCLING POWER WINDOW CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE CYCLING HEADLAMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INTERCHANGED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES, REMOVE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND REINSTALL THE BREAKER IN THE CORRECT LOCATIONS.
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).
THE RIVETS HOLDING THE REAR OUTBOARD BELT D-RINGS WERE NOT HEAT TREATED PROPERLY CAUSING THE HEADS OF THE RIVETS TO FRACTURE UNDER LOAD AND FAIL TO HOLD THE D-RINGS TO THE STRAPS. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT PLATE ON THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.
THE SEAL MATERIAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY CURED DURING THE MOLDING PROCESS WHICH COULD ALLOW FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE-TO-FUEL TANK SEAL WITH A NEW SEAL OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL.
THE PITMAN ARMS WERE NOT FULLY LUBRICATED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE "BALL JOINT" AT THE OUTER END OF THE PITMAN ARM CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED AND CORRODE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE JOINT IS FOUND TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT WEAR, THE ARM WILL BE REPLACED. THOSE PITMAN ARMS NOT REPLACED WILL HAVE THE "BALL JOINT" FULLY GREASED.
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.
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AN INFLATOR BODY THAT CRACKED DURING FORMING OF THE CURL THAT RETAINS THE IGNITER PLUG IN THE END OF THE INFLATOR. ALSO THE IGNITER END CAP CAN SEPARATE FROM THE INFLATOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.
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.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR OWNERS OF CERTAIN 1995-1997 CROWN VICTORIA MODEL VEHICLES WITH POLICE, TAXI, AND COMMERCIAL FLEET PACKAGES AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES WITH THE LIVERY PACKAGE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD CAUSE WEAR OF THE BRAKE LINES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES FOR WEAR, INSTALL TWO NEW TUBE BUNDLE CLIPS, AND CHECK THE BRAKE LINES FOR PROPER CLEARANCES. IF THE BRAKE LINES ARE WORN, THE DAMAGED SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1995 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 1995 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
NHTSA has 250 owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. The most complained-about area is steering (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Crown Victoria problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 98,007 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria have open recalls?
12 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. 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.