FORD CROWN VICTORIA · model year

1986 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1986FORDCROWN VICTORIA carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 16 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 CROWN VICTORIA is electrical system:ignition:switch with 11 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition (6) and seat belts:front:buckle assembly (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1986 CROWN VICTORIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

35
Complaints
1
Crashes
16
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1

Recent Complaints

20010905ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IT TAKES THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE STARTING BACK UP. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

20010830ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. AFTER VEHICLE SAT FOR 1/2 HOUR IT WOULD RESTART. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20010118ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ENGINE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. MY HUSBAND BARELY GOT THE CAR PULLED OVER WITH OUT AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE CAR IS PARKED. MY HUSBAND WAS AN ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN FOR 20 YEARS. HE SAID THE TFI MODULE IS THE FAILED PART.*AK

20001213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

GOING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE STALLS AND YOU CAN HEAR A WHINING NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS TURN. . HAVE BEEN TO 2 MECHANICS AND EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT GOOD ON ANALYZER. HELP PLEASE! BEFORE I HAVE ACCIDENT. *AK

20000918ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THERE HAS BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, LET MY WINDOWS UP OR DOWN OR ADJUST MY SEAT (ELECTRIC), THERE IS INTERFERENCE WITH THE RADIO AND THAT TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS REFUSED TO LET UP 3 TIMES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS, I AM ABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. I HAVE ALSO HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STALLING WHENEVER I AM AT A STOP SIGN (OR LIGHT), AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE MANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF PARTS REPLACED IE. IGNITION COIL, PLUG WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND THE CAR STILL STALLS ON OCCASSION. I HEARD THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM A WHILE BACK AND RECENTLY ON A PART TO THE IGNITION PLACED INCORRECTLY. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS PROBLEM. T

20000918ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THERE HAS BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, LET MY WINDOWS UP OR DOWN OR ADJUST MY SEAT (ELECTRIC), THERE IS INTERFERENCE WITH THE RADIO AND THAT TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS REFUSED TO LET UP 3 TIMES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS, I AM ABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. I HAVE ALSO HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STALLING WHENEVER I AM AT A STOP SIGN (OR LIGHT), AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE MANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF PARTS REPLACED IE. IGNITION COIL, PLUG WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND THE CAR STILL STALLS ON OCCASSION. I HEARD THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM A WHILE BACK AND RECENTLY ON A PART TO THE IGNITION PLACED INCORRECTLY. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS PROBLEM. T

20000911ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THERE HAS BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, LET MY WINDOWS UP OR DOWN OR ADJUST MY SEAT (ELECTRIC), THERE IS INTERFERENCE WITH THE RADIO AND THAT TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS REFUSED TO LET UP 3 TIMES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS, I AM ABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. I HAVE ALSO HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STALLING WHENEVER I AM AT A STOP SIGN (OR LIGHT), AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE MANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF PARTS REPLACED IE. IGNITION COIL, PLUG WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND THE CAR STILL STALLS ON OCCASSION. I HEARD THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM A WHILE BACK AND RECENTLY ON A PART TO THE IGNITION PLACED INCORRECTLY. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS PROBLEM. T

20000911ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THERE HAS BEEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, LET MY WINDOWS UP OR DOWN OR ADJUST MY SEAT (ELECTRIC), THERE IS INTERFERENCE WITH THE RADIO AND THAT TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW HAS REFUSED TO LET UP 3 TIMES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MONTHS, I AM ABLE TO RAISE THE WINDOW. I HAVE ALSO HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STALLING WHENEVER I AM AT A STOP SIGN (OR LIGHT), AND SOMETIMES WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE MANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF PARTS REPLACED IE. IGNITION COIL, PLUG WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND THE CAR STILL STALLS ON OCCASSION. I HEARD THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM A WHILE BACK AND RECENTLY ON A PART TO THE IGNITION PLACED INCORRECTLY. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME ON THIS PROBLEM. T

20000830FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL A FUNNY ODOR COMING FROM MY CAR. I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SNOKE BEGAN TO PUUR INTO THE INSIDE OF MY CAR AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT CHANGED I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK MY CAR. I POPED THE HOOD AND THERE WERE FLAMES . I RAN TO A NEARBY RESTAURANT AND ASKED THEM TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. WHEN I WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WAIT FOR THE FIRE DEPT. MY CAR WAS TRYING TO START ITSELF. THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WERE IN MY HAND SO I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY CAR. I HAD IT TOWED HOME AND IT HAS BEEN IN MY DRIVEWAY EVER SINCE. *AK

19971031FireSTEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN INVESTIGATOR OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *AK

19971009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VALVE COVER GASKETS FAILED.

19971009ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW, HOT EXHAUST GAS LEAKING FROM THE AIR TUBE HAD BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE PLASTIC AIR CONDITIONING PLENUM CHAMBER AND CAUSED FUMES TO COME IN TO THE CAR.

19970410ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED; HAD TO RESTART VEHICLE; DRIVING & IT STOPPED AGAIN; HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES AFTERWARDS; TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS ENGINE; REPLACED 2 VALVES AND SOME OTHER PARTS. *AK

19970128POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT.

19960930FireSTRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND GOT OUT AND THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

19960930FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSED FIRE.

19960909FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT FIVE MILES/ PARKED, ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES UPON RETURNING VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.*AK *SLC

19960909FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT FIVE MILES/ PARKED, ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES UPON RETURNING VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.*AK *SLC

19960702FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE PARKED IN PARKING LOT, FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED FIRE IN AREA OF STEERING COLUMN; PARKED FOR 5 MINUTES; NO WARNING; VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK

19960624FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

Compare 1986FORDCROWN VICTORIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1986 FORD CROWN VICTORIA have?
The 1986 FORD CROWN VICTORIA has 35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 16 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 FORD CROWN VICTORIA?
The most-complained component for the 1986 FORD CROWN VICTORIA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION and SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1986 FORD CROWN VICTORIA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.