1989 Ford Crown Victoria
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Crown Victoria › 1989
These records cover every 1989 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 1989 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.
Glass element that separates electronic circuitry from pressurized fuel may loosen and create an opening that could allow pressurized fuel to enter body of sensor.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Under these conditions of seal deterioration, the housingcover would not contain fuel, causing a fuel leak which, in the presence of asource of ignition, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Install new optical sensors.
Owner complaints
72 complaints3 involved a crash20 involved a fire3 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
While my mechanic worked on my car, I borrowed his 1989 crown victoria. on the third day I had it, while driving in a 45 mph zone, the gas pedal suddenly pulled away from my foot and went all the way to the floor. I was not using cruise control so I tried pulling the pedal up by placing my foot…
While my mechanic worked on my car, I borrowed his 1989 crown victoria. on the third day I had it, while driving in a 45 mph zone, the gas pedal suddenly pulled away from my foot and went all the way to the floor. I was not using cruise control so I tried pulling the pedal up by placing my foot under it and pulling up. That didn't work so I hit the gas pedal a few times, believing it was stuck somehow. when that didn't work I hit the brakes to pull the car over. the car was quickly gaining speed as I did all of these things and hitting the brakes didn't do anything at all. then I stood on the brakes with both feet while the car was up to 80 mph. standing on the brakes with both feet only brought it down to 60 mph. I then managed to get the car into neutral gear and pull it over on the shoulder by also using the brakes, but it was revving high and black smoke was now coming from under the hood. I got out of the car and ran down the road away from the car, when the car started sparking underneath, then it broke into flames. the whole front of the car was engulfed in flames and 2 tires exploded before the fire company arrived. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control · Vehicle speed control › Linkages
While driving 65 mph with cruise control set consumer applied the brakes but vehicle would not come out of the cruise control. A few years later while driving with cruise control on throttle linkages stuck. As a result, transmission began to slip. *Ak
- Power train · Service brakes, hydraulic · Suspension · Unknown or other
Paint: clear coat peeled completely off of hood, trunk, roof, tops of fenders, all areas in direct sunlight. Suspension: rear springs fatiqued causing premature shock ware. Transmission: loss of third gear and over drive, major front seal leak, needed complete overhaul. Other: headlight switch…
Paint: clear coat peeled completely off of hood, trunk, roof, tops of fenders, all areas in direct sunlight. Suspension: rear springs fatiqued causing premature shock ware. Transmission: loss of third gear and over drive, major front seal leak, needed complete overhaul. Other: headlight switch malfunction causing loss of headlights and/or both headlights and tail lights causing major safety hazard while driving at night. Brakes: squealing and fading front brakes, excessive ware on front pads, rear brakes dont adjust causing severe nose-diving while stopping.
- Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
Problems with front door bottom hinge, roller stem and brackets.*mr the consumer believes the front door bottom hinge was poorly designed or made of cheap metal. the roller, stem and bracket have broke many times. *ph *nm
- Equipment
The floor mat on the driver's side moves under the accelerator and brake pedal. This interferes with performance of depressing and accelerating. The floor mat moves with no warning. *ak consumer having problems with the floor mat moving underneath the accelerator and brake pedals. this interferes with the performance of depressing the accelerator and brake pedals. the floor mats move without warning.*mr
- Seat belts
I own a 1983 and 1989 ford crown victoria, both of which have seat belt that won't latch - problem IS in the receiving end. I feel this IS a safety issue that should require ford to provide free replacement of the defective component!! these vehicles are kept clean and maintained !
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Plastic grommet attaching linkage from fuel injection unit to transmission broke. I drove the car about 5 miles to a transmission shop. the owner of the shop said this IS a known issue, and replaced it with a brass grommet, but told me that as soon as this breaks, transmission damage occurs. I…
Plastic grommet attaching linkage from fuel injection unit to transmission broke. I drove the car about 5 miles to a transmission shop. the owner of the shop said this IS a known issue, and replaced it with a brass grommet, but told me that as soon as this breaks, transmission damage occurs. I now either have to spend 1200 dollars for a rebuild, or scrap a car which IS otherwise in perfect shape. if this IS a known issue, why IS there no recall? a 50 cent part IS costing 1200! *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
The ignition switch that was put on his vehicle about 2 years ago, as a result of the recall, was defective and does not work properly. the consumer stated that the switch will not turn to accessory and the key IS hard to go in the ignition, then when it does go in it sparks. the consumer IS…
The ignition switch that was put on his vehicle about 2 years ago, as a result of the recall, was defective and does not work properly. the consumer stated that the switch will not turn to accessory and the key IS hard to go in the ignition, then when it does go in it sparks. the consumer IS afraid this problem will some day cause a fire. the manufacture stated that they will not repair it again because they replaced it once. so, this time he will have to pay for it. *nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The key was difficult to insert into the ignition but once inserted the driver was unable to turn the key. *nlm
- Structure › Frame and members
Side rail of frame IS rusting out, dealer notified.*ak. Consumer took vehicle in for a routine rust check and was told no one looked at the frame. vehicle was brought in for an oil change and was checked for rusting. the frame has holes in it on both sides between the front of the frame and the…
Side rail of frame IS rusting out, dealer notified.*ak. Consumer took vehicle in for a routine rust check and was told no one looked at the frame. vehicle was brought in for an oil change and was checked for rusting. the frame has holes in it on both sides between the front of the frame and the transmission cross member. there IS a small amount of rust in each front fender. ford told consumer they would refund the cost of the rust proof job (super seal). *jg
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While pulling out of driveway consumer tried to accelerate and gas pedal stuck to the floor, causing vehicle to accelerate up to 50 mph at a stop position. Consumer had to step on brakes alot to stop vehicle from accelerating.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Intermittently vehicle will stall out and die with out warning, vehicle would not restart, dealer has repaired vehicle under a safety improvement campaign. *Ak original tfi module failed. *tt
- Electrical system › Wiring
Consumer stated the vehicle had not been driven in 4 months and was parked in the garage, vehicle caught on fire, resulting in garage burning down and vehicle being totalled. Property damage was $54000.00.*ak *jg
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
I had to brake hard when I parked the car. when I got in the car the next morning, there were absolutely no brakes and the master cylinder was empty of brake fluid. all the brake fluid had drained out from a leak at or near the junction box. I had to have the car towed to the dealer who replaced…
I had to brake hard when I parked the car. when I got in the car the next morning, there were absolutely no brakes and the master cylinder was empty of brake fluid. all the brake fluid had drained out from a leak at or near the junction box. I had to have the car towed to the dealer who replaced the brake line from the master cylinder to the junction box for a charge of $205.66 (towing was also $6.00 more than the aaa reimbursement). the brake line clearly showed an elongated hole caused by external abrasion or rubbing. I believe this was a safety defect caused by faulty design or assembly. if this had happened in traffic, or while I was towing my horse trailer, the results could have been disastrous! *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While driving underhood caught on fire without a prior warning. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
While driving at 10-15 mph on street consumer hit a pot hole, and then soon after vehicle caught on fire . Contacted dealer, and dealer noted that plastic fuel line busted open which caused the fire. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle IS experiencing stalling when slowing down or entering a ramp to the interstate, consumer feels it may be due to 1) recall 95s28 regarding the ignition switch, 2) tsb regarding the throttle body lever grommet, and 3) tsb regarding the automatic overdrive shifting problems. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
High speed stalls or miss (tiresize: 215r70 15)( dot number: tire size: 215r70 15 )
- Tires
These tires have a 80.000 miles wearout coverage and lifetime warranty against mfg. Defects. I brought these tires at sears.i thought the front end was out of alian because the front tire had a wobble to it.sears said it was due to seperation..i was told the warrenty wasn't any good because the…
These tires have a 80.000 miles wearout coverage and lifetime warranty against mfg. Defects. I brought these tires at sears.i thought the front end was out of alian because the front tire had a wobble to it.sears said it was due to seperation..i was told the warrenty wasn't any good because the tires were 4 years old..i had to buy another tire which cost less. After a day or two of returning home I notice recall on news.i found my invoice and return to sears and explained to them the tires only had 12,000 and they are warrenty for 80,000. They finally adjusted my invoice for the one tire, but I feel the other 3 tires are "not safe"( dot number: y734pr1086 tire size: p21570tr15 )
- Tires › Tread/belt
Consumer has a 1989 crown, victoria aftermarket tires. passenger's rear tire had tread separation. no accident. Tire size p225/75r15, dot# starts with the vd firestone replaced tires with no charge.*ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver seat latch became loose and wobbly. Yh
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core vents water vapor causes windshield to fog resulting in poor visibility. *yc
- Electrical system › Ignition
Possible ignition switch failure may have caused vehicle to suddenly accelerate. campaign #96v071000 nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Vehicle speed control
Vehicle experiencing problem with cruise control intermittently engaging and causing sudden acceleration for unknown reason. Another problem was the ignition switch which consumer was unable to turn off when needed. Also, air conditioner would give off an odor when turned on. Dealer /manufacturer were not notified at this time. Seeking help from nhtsa in these matters. *ak
- Unknown or other
Interior burned while parked in the garage (not running).
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Steering column fires
There is no summary currently available
- Brake line punctures
There is no summary currently available
- Heat hose restrictor/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.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 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
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.