FORD CROWN VICTORIA · model year

1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA

482 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992FORDCROWN VICTORIA carries 482 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 29 fires, 14 injuries, and 4 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 1992 CROWN VICTORIA is vehicle speed control with 32 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (23) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (20). 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 1992 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.

482
Complaints
22
Crashes
29
Fires
14
Injuries
4
Deaths

Total Complaints

482 filings

Crashes Reported

22 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL32
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
SEATS12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS11
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS11
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL10

Recent Complaints

20131007VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER I LET OFF. I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE IT STOP. THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING. USING 250-280 POUNDS OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I FINALLY STOPPED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT CAN BE VIEWED AT YOUTUBE. IT IS TITLED RAM CAM EPISODE 5. IT IS THE LAST PART OF THE VIDEO. *TR

Mileage: 173,000

20131007FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER I LET OFF. I HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO MAKE IT STOP. THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP BUT THE CAR KEPT MOVING. USING 250-280 POUNDS OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I FINALLY STOPPED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT CAN BE VIEWED AT YOUTUBE. IT IS TITLED RAM CAM EPISODE 5. IT IS THE LAST PART OF THE VIDEO. *TR

Mileage: 173,000

20110706VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND WOULD ACCELERATE INSTEAD. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HIS CALL WITHIN A FEW DAYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,500. UPDATED 08/10/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INSTEAD OF DECELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. UPDATED 08/12/11*JB

Mileage: 103,500

20100209EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1.RIDING ONE NIGHT HEADLIGHTS JUST GO OFF ON THE HIGHWAY,SMELLED PLASTIC BURNING/ 2.HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATING MELTING PLUG CONNECTED TO WIRING/ HAPPENS ALL THE TIME/ FIRE OR EVEN CAUSE A WRECK OR GET A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. 3.CHANGED SWITCH CHANGED PLUG SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN &AGAIN,LOOKED AT PARTS ON OTHER CARS SAME MODEL SAME YEAR DIFFERENT MODEL DIFFERENT YEAR SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT!! [ THE FORD 1992 CROWN VICTORIA]. *TR

20100209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1.RIDING ONE NIGHT HEADLIGHTS JUST GO OFF ON THE HIGHWAY,SMELLED PLASTIC BURNING/ 2.HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATING MELTING PLUG CONNECTED TO WIRING/ HAPPENS ALL THE TIME/ FIRE OR EVEN CAUSE A WRECK OR GET A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. 3.CHANGED SWITCH CHANGED PLUG SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN &AGAIN,LOOKED AT PARTS ON OTHER CARS SAME MODEL SAME YEAR DIFFERENT MODEL DIFFERENT YEAR SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME SPOT!! [ THE FORD 1992 CROWN VICTORIA]. *TR

20080321VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FAILURE IN THE FUEL LINE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. AT THE TIME, SHE COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE FUEL LINE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED*JB

Mileage: 91,000

20080321UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FAILURE IN THE FUEL LINE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. AT THE TIME, SHE COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE FUEL LINE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED*JB

Mileage: 91,000

20080321FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. WHILE AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FAILURE IN THE FUEL LINE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. AT THE TIME, SHE COULD NOT DRIVE TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE FUEL LINE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ WATER LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED*JB

Mileage: 91,000

20070917POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS, WHICH CAUSED THE FEATURES OF THE STEERING COLUMN NOT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 232,871 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09*JB

Mileage: 200,000

20070917STEERING:COLUMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS RANGING FROM 20 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS, WHICH CAUSED THE FEATURES OF THE STEERING COLUMN NOT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 232,871 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 03/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/24/09*JB

Mileage: 200,000

20070727SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACES HER VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES TO 40 MPH AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASE. SHE MUST APPLY THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. AFTERWARDS, SHE SMELLS THE SCENT OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE CAUSED BY THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. HE INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BRAKE FLUID MAY BE FLOWING TO THE SWITCH AND CAUSING THE HEAT TO ACTIVATE. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE LOSES BRAKE POWER OCCASIONALLY, EVEN THOUGH BRAKE FLUID IS PRESENT. HE ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

Mileage: 33,000

20061103FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

I PARKED MY 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA ON THE STREET WHILE I WAS AT MY HOME FOR 45 MINUTES. I DECIDED TO LEAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. WHEN I GOT TO MY CAR, I SMELLED BURNING AND SAW WISPS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY ENGINE AREA. I QUICKLY OPENED MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND SMELLED SMOKE AND POPPED THE HOOD. INSIDE, THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE (GRAPEFRUIT SIZE) IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I RAN INTO THE HOUSE AND GOT SOME WATER AND DOUSED THE FLAMES. I WAS VERY LUCKY, BECAUSE I SEEM TO HAVE CAUGHT THE FIRE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF WHEN IT STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THEY REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND A WIRING HARNESS THAT HAD BURNED (AT MY EXPENSE). THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I CALLED FORD TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS UNDER RECALL BACK IN 1999, AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED ON 7/7/1999 WHEN MY DAD OWNED THE CAR. THIS WAS ACTUALLY EVEN MORE CONCER

Mileage: 125,000

20051015STEERING:COLUMN

THIS PROBLEM CONCERNS THE STEERING COLUMN OF A 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA RUBBING AGAINST A METAL GAS LINE UNTIL LARGE AMOUNTS OF GAS SPILL ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND CAUSE A SAFETY OF LIFE PROBLEM... AS LONG AS THE ENGINE REMAINS ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP WILL CONTINUE TO PUMP GAS ONTO THE FIRE CAUSED BY THE FAULT. PLEASE NOTICE THAT I AM AN ENGINEER AND THIS IS NOT A SMALL MATTER - IT INVOLVES MANY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES AND AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE HAS HAD A RECALL - YET FORD HAS NOT HAD A RECALL ON THIS MODEL ALTHOUGH I TOOK THIS ISSUE TO THE TOP OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE ISSUE DEALS WITH A GASOLINE LEAK CAUSED BY THE STEERING COLUMN RUBBING ON A METAL GAS LINE - CAUSING GASOLINE TO LEAK FROM THE WORN GAS LINE IN LARGE AMOUNTS. I FIRST NOTICED THE LEAK FROM THE SMELL OF GAS - THEN I NOTICED LARGE POOLS OF GAS LEAKING FROM UNDER MY CAR. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, WHICH WAS THE ROTATING STEERING COLUMN RUBBING ON THE GAS LINE, I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER AND I CONTACTED FORD MO

20050501ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

MY FATHER BOUGHT A USED 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LS. WHEN YOU TURN ON THE PARK OR DRIVING LIGHTS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS SO DIM YOU CAN HARDLY READ THE SPEEDOMETER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR MY FATHER AND IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IN THE EVENING, THE PROBLEM RESOLVES ITSELF, IT IS DURING THE DAY.*AK

20050228FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL STATES FOR THE FORD F150 TRUCKS. CONSUMER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HOWEVER, THIS HAPPENED IN 1992. *AK

20050225FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD HE NOTICED THAT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. *NM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE. *BF

Mileage: 100,000

20050221FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL RETURN LINE FROM ENGINE TO TANK RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A FUEL LEAK THAT CREATED A FIRE HAZARD.

Mileage: 116,666

20041208FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE LEAK DUE WHERE IT PASSES (PAIRED WITH THE RETURN LINE - ALSO LEAKING) UNDER THE LEFT REAR FRAME ARCH. LINES WERE WORN THROUGH WHERE THEY CONTACTED FRAME (SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHIELDED OR CLAMPED). REPAIRED (SINCE PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE PAIRED WITH BRAKE LINES FOR$400+ FROM DEALER) USING BULK STEEL TUBE WITH COMPRESSION FITTINGS. *JB

Mileage: 11,780

20040711SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

REAR AIR RIDE SUSPENSION PUMP FAILURE . THE PUMP FAILS TO AIR UP THE REAR OF THE VECHILE, RESULTING IN THE REAR OF THE VECHILE TO DRAG ON BUMPS, DIPS, ECT. *AK

20040609ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW UP AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LATCH, BUT IT WAS ONLY FOR CROWN VICTORIA POLICE CARS. *AK RECALL#97V024000. THE FAN BELT HAD GONE OUT ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING. *SC *JB

Mileage: 81,900

Compare 1992FORDCROWN VICTORIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA have?
The 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA has 482 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 29 fires, 14 injuries, and 4 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA?
The most-complained component for the 1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 32 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1992 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.