1988 Ford Crown Victoria
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Crown Victoria › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Ford Crown Victoria. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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.
Owner complaints
42 complaints1 involved a crash11 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Wheels
I ran over a piece of structural steel on the freeway and wrecked the right rear tire and wheel. I found that I could not remove the wheel lug nuts using the lug wrench furnished with the car. I succeeded in changing the tire by using the breaker bar included with my half inch drive socket set…
I ran over a piece of structural steel on the freeway and wrecked the right rear tire and wheel. I found that I could not remove the wheel lug nuts using the lug wrench furnished with the car. I succeeded in changing the tire by using the breaker bar included with my half inch drive socket set that I happened to have in the trunk. twenty years later ford was still furnishing with their cars short arm (effective length about 9 inches) lug wrenches that could not possibly be used to change a tire. *Tr
- Electrical system
1988 ford crown victoria 5.0 liter 302 cubic inch engine (fuel injected). second generation (2G) alternator caught on fire. *Tr
- Electrical system › Ignition
Nhtsa# 96-v-071-000: the ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit. Consumer states has the same problem. A recall has been issued on similar makes and models, however this vehicle IS not include due to vin# dealer notified. *tr
- Vehicle speed control
Car almost got me killed. the throttle went to the floor and wouldn't let up. to keep from crashing into others was nearly impossible. I had to put the car in neutral and ruin the transmission before the car would stop.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The oil pan corroded and began to leak oil, consumer no longer owns this vehicle. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Defective ignition module caused vehicle to stall in an intersection. nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Ignition module assembly failed causing engine to stall, once stalled the engine would crank but not start. nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle stalls when it comes to a stop. Has happened numerous times over the years. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
I have replaced the egr valve ($77.29), tps ($29.89), had a diagnostic ($30.00), cap/rotor/plugs/wires replaced ($72.29), new starter ($32.89), fuel filter ($17.89), vaccum test ($42.69), battery charge check (free), altinator test (free) and my car still stalls and IS hard to start. please…
I have replaced the egr valve ($77.29), tps ($29.89), had a diagnostic ($30.00), cap/rotor/plugs/wires replaced ($72.29), new starter ($32.89), fuel filter ($17.89), vaccum test ($42.69), battery charge check (free), altinator test (free) and my car still stalls and IS hard to start. please contatct me concerning this matter. something IS defenetly going on with my vehicle. I hope a safety matter can be revealed before any gets hurt or killed. thank you for keeping our vehicles safe on the road and thank you for your time.
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Suspension
Transmission malfunctions, slips. Yh
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Consumer complaining of steering wheel locking up at times. Also the wheel must be aligned to remove the key. Consumer has to move wheel back and forth in order to get the wheel to move. Dealer notified. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control
Speed control - on several occasions have either stepped on brake or pressed off switch to disengage cruise control but the vehicle increased speed back to the setting of 65mph. Once this happened in a construction area with a large volume of traffic. transmission problem - on 10-27-1998…
Speed control - on several occasions have either stepped on brake or pressed off switch to disengage cruise control but the vehicle increased speed back to the setting of 65mph. Once this happened in a construction area with a large volume of traffic. transmission problem - on 10-27-1998, after my wife put the vehicle in park (in our driveway), the transmission slipped out of park on rolled into the woods behind the house. my wife was injured when trying to get back into the car to stop it. she was knocked down to the ground by the car. the vehicle has body damage and the catylitic converted was damaged.
- Vehicle speed control
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration resulting in vehicle collision and injuries.
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering wheel locked up on several occasions.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Plastic linkage grommet failed due to deterioration, causing damage to transmission.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
When fuel tank IS filled to its capacity occasionally it overflows into the hose inside trunk area and exits through this compartment. Non- drainage of fuel. this allow fumes to overcome occupants (causing sickness.) finale: ruptured hose. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When approaching a stop sign or when making a turn, the vehicle's engine shuts down, causing the vehicle to stall. *ak consumer states vehicle has been worked on several times, however problem still exists, repair man states no more can be done. *slc
- Seat belts
Owner states that driver's side seat belt IS faulty and that it wont latch, owner also notes that he has been having trouble often with this seatbelt and he IS concerned for his safety. *ak
- Steering › Column
Steering column bolts, mount tilt housing to steering column outer tube loosened, causing the turn signal to continue staying on. An unsafe control problem could result with complete loss of ability to steer the vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire prior to recall, recall notice not received.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The vehicle caught on fire while driving and then the vehicle went out of control. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
The water: heater core leaked. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch shorted, causing fire.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Ignition switch was replaced under recall august, 5TH. on august 25, vehicle was parked in driveway and caught on fire. Recall (96v-071). *ak
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
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.
- 613234Information regarding tsb 98-5a-12 (transaxle/transmission/transfer case-vehicles towed behind recreational vehicles-recommended guidelines) does not list towing information for certain model vehicles. *Mjs
- 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.
- 39222New torque-to-yield cylinder head bolt kit.
Every Ford Crown Victoria model year
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