1987 Ford Crown Victoria
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Crown Victoria › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Ford Crown Victoria. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1987 Ford Crown Victoria. Newest first.
Automatic retractor for seat belts for dual facing rear seats may be installed in an improper location.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Fuel rails may be bent so that no. 5 injector cups are out of design position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Steering centerlinks may break at a bend location.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Steering control would be diminished, with reducedcontrol of left wheel only and considerable steering wheel free play.
Remedy
Replace steering centerlink.
Owner complaints
41 complaints2 involved a crash12 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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…
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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
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
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. *jb
- Structure › Frame and members
Loud popping sound heard. steering became difficult. visible failure on right front as tire was turned toward the engine at the top and turned outward at the pavement. rear upper body frame complete separation by 2 inches, and front upper body frame visible fracture and ready for separation.…
Loud popping sound heard. steering became difficult. visible failure on right front as tire was turned toward the engine at the top and turned outward at the pavement. rear upper body frame complete separation by 2 inches, and front upper body frame visible fracture and ready for separation. engine was resting on the manifold. if the vehicle had been moving any faster than 5MPH, there would or could have been serious injury had the engine collapsed completely to the pavement while travelling. I thought it was a universal joint or a failed shock.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Ignition switch and steering wheel column begin to heat up. *Ak consumer stated that the dealer refuse to repair the vehicle unless they pay. *yd
- Tires › Tread/belt
Left rear firestone tire, size: p205/75r15, dot: iculp2a078 experienced tread separation while traveling at approximately 60 to 65 mph on interstate 75. inside of fender wall and trunk experienced damage due to this defective tire. approximately 2 months ago, right front tire - same size - had…
Left rear firestone tire, size: p205/75r15, dot: iculp2a078 experienced tread separation while traveling at approximately 60 to 65 mph on interstate 75. inside of fender wall and trunk experienced damage due to this defective tire. approximately 2 months ago, right front tire - same size - had ballooned out on sidewall. was told that it was separating on inside. there were only about 20 to 30,000 miles on tires. *Ak tires are bridgestone roadhandlers. *slc
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
I own a 1987 ford crown victoria s/w whose alternator was replaced in 1998 by a ford dealer in dundalk, md. it was replaced with a "ford remanufactured" unit along with the connector. last week I started the car and drove about 200 yards when I noticed the "amp" light showing red on the dash…
I own a 1987 ford crown victoria s/w whose alternator was replaced in 1998 by a ford dealer in dundalk, md. it was replaced with a "ford remanufactured" unit along with the connector. last week I started the car and drove about 200 yards when I noticed the "amp" light showing red on the dash panel and my wife concurrently yelling "there's smoke coming from under the hood". I did a "u" turn and proceeded to my garage where I opened the hood and saw smoke pouring out from the back of the alternator and then it burst into flames. I doused the fire with a CO2 extinguisher but the flames re-appeared. I cut the positive battery terminal cable and the flames became extinguished. the wires on the harness are "cooked".*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Motor won't start sometimes. Akso, when driving on freeway motor will completely die. consumer feels this IS unsafe. *ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Consumer was sitting at a stop sign with foot on the brake and vehicle automatically accelerated into the traffic. consumer stated it had happened several times. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
While driving on the highway on the way to the dealer for recall repairs, speed control failed to disengage, vehicle picked up speed, and lost control of vehicle. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Engine surges while idling or at traffic stops found recall notice for fuel rail assembly and have read about numerous accounts of similar problems in same model of vehicle called service dept. And dealership and was given the brushoff person I talked to was stand offish and uncooperative wouldn't give info on recall bulletins
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration resulted in an accident/injury.(attorney for consumer).
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission burned up twice because of urethane grommet cracked and fell off. First time had transmission rebuilt at a cost of 1200.00 dollars and within 14 months the same thing happen. Put a used trans. In. Running for 4 months and watching the cable. Transmission repair shop stated he has…
Transmission burned up twice because of urethane grommet cracked and fell off. First time had transmission rebuilt at a cost of 1200.00 dollars and within 14 months the same thing happen. Put a used trans. In. Running for 4 months and watching the cable. Transmission repair shop stated he has made a lot money because of this defect. I think ford should compensate some for this faulty design. p.s. Put new grommets in both times.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
In the middle of the night ignition switch caught on fire while the car was off . The dealer has been contacted. ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine idles fast, repairs made however problem continues.
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Gear box crack, leaking out all the power steering fluid within seconds (several times), resulting in loss of control of steering wheel.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Ignition module malfunctioned four times. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch
High beam switch goes out after a certain period of time due to weak resistors, driver must quickly switch to low beam.
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Transmission linkage jammed, causing throttle to stick, vehicle accelerated out of control, the braking could not override the throttle.the engine had to be turned off to stop the car. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire prior to recall.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire. *Sd
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While parked noticed smoke coming from steering column, after disconnecting battery found 1/4 of ignition wiring had burnt.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Difficult to insert key in ignition as well as turning key. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Gas tank rusted, causing it to leak. *Dh
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Brake line punctures
There is no summary currently available
- Engine comp fires
There is no summary currently available
- Fires
Summary of information from manufacturer: manufacturer has beencontacted. Service bulletin, tsb article no.87-18-13, provides proceduresfor reworking the transmission fluid cooler line coupling to the radiator,where fluid leaks can originate. The tsb states ... The quick disconnectfitting should not be reused because…
Summary of information from manufacturer: manufacturer has beencontacted. Service bulletin, tsb article no.87-18-13, provides proceduresfor reworking the transmission fluid cooler line coupling to the radiator,where fluid leaks can originate. The tsb states ... The quick disconnectfitting should not be reused because it may not reseal properly and canresult in repeat repair.vehicle population1985 19861987 ford 187,300115,600 120,300 mercury151,000101,700 122,800 tot=804,700the one reported injury alledges eye and throat irritation due to smokeand soot. The fires are generally confined to under the hood and precededby loss of power due to leaking of transmission fluid from the vehicle.ford reported no lawsuits, no warranty claims, and odi has received onlyone report since opening this p.e.the relatively small number of complaintsindicates that a defect trend does not exist at this time.proposed action: close this p.e.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3012100Unknown
- 636080Transfer service tips for the front wiper motor mount bracket and depressed park output arm.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
Every Ford Crown Victoria model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.