1992 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 CONCERNING TO ME, BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH, WHICH SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE ORIGINAL SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION PROBLEM, SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL!! SO MY CAR IS NOW ON ITS SECOND "FIXED" CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. I AM ALSO CONCERNED FROM MY DISCUSSION WITH THE NHTSA REPRESENTATIVE. HE SAID THAT NO RECALLS CAN BE ISSUED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE OVER 10 YEARS OLD. HE THEN TOLD ME THAT MY COMPLAINT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE MY CAR WAS OVER 10 YEARS OLD. I DON'T EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED FROM MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE FIRE, HOWEVER, THIS IS DISTURBING TO ME KNOWING THAT MY COMPLAINT COULD BE DISMISSED OUT OF HAND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OTHERS DON'T HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALING WITH A CAR SETTING ITSELF ON FIRE WHEN IT IS NOT RUNNING. THIS COMPLAINT SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY EVALUATED BEFORE DISMISSING IT. IF THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHILE I SLEPT, IT COULD HAVE EASILY BURNED DOWN THE HOUSE, OR KILLED SOMEONE. *NM

Fire

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 MOTOR COMPANY WHO PUT ME OFF TO AN AREA PERSON WHO REBUFFED MY COMPLAINT. THE DEALER SHOWED ME A RECALL FOR THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.... THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA ARE IDENTICAL IN THIS RESPECT.... THE RECALL SHOWED THE EXACT GAS LINE AND THE PROBLEM.... CHECK FOR YOURSELF.... THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA ARE EXACTLY THE SAME UNDER THE HOOD. THE RECALL SHOWED THE SAME GAS LINE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE A CREDIBLE ORGANIZATION, YOU WILL RESEARCH THIS BY SIMPLY LOOKING AT THE RECALL FOR THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND WONDER WHY THE RECALL NEVER HAPPENED FOR THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA.... KEEP IN MIND THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SAFETY OF LIFE SITUATION..... THE GAS LEAK IS CONSIDERABLE..... IT WAS A RECALL ON THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND YET, NEVER SHOWED UP FOR THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA. E-MAIL ME BACK I CAN'T FIGURE OUT YOUR SERIAL NUMBER THANK YOU, *NM

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

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

Fire

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

Fire

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

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

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

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

(1.) MY CAR IS A 1992 FORD, CROWN VICTORIA LX. - I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AND LEANED BACK ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OUT OF MY PANTS POCKET. AS I PRESSED ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT THERE WAS A METALIC "SNAP" SOUND AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT FLOPPED BACK 3 TO 4 INCHES ON THE DRIVER DOOR SIDE. LATER ON VIEWING THE SEAT FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE BRAKE PEDDLE I WAS ABLE TO DETERMING THAT A WELDED IN CIRCULAR, THREADED, METAL, TAPPED FASTENER, (A CUSTOM MADE NUT) HAD TORN THROUGH THE PRESSED METAL FRAM THAT ATTACHED IT TO THE MOTORIZED PORTION OF THE SEAT. THE RESULTING HOLE IN THE PRESSED METAL FRAME COMPONENT WAS ABOUT ONE INCH IN DIAMETER. (2) THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT MAKES THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. (3.) I HAVE CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND FOUND NONE RELATING TO THE SEAT EXCEPT FOR AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I HAVEN'T REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AS YET BUT I WILL LIKELY GO TO A AUTOMOBILE RECYCLING YARD AND LOOK FOR ANOTHER SEAT. OF COURSE INSPECTING FIRST FOR THE SAME FAILURE. ALSO, AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT . AND IT ONLY HAS 84,000. MILES ON IT.*AK

I HAVE THIS CAR FOR 11 YRS AND WAS VERY UPSET WHEN THE TRAN WENT OUT ON VACATION AT 83000 MILES. I HAD NO OTHER WAY OUT BUT TO GET A LIFE TIME WARRANTY ON A NEW TRAN FROM AAMCO KNOWING I WOULD HAVE THE CAR FOR MANY MORE YEARS. IM GLAD I DID BECAUSE AFTER A YEAR IT WENT OUT AGAIN AND AAMCO HAD TO FOOT THE BILL BUT IT CAUSED ME TIME. THE WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT TWICE IN THE FRONT. ONCE IN 1995 AND 2003. PAIN IN THE BUTT IF YOU LIVE IN SO. CAL. WOULD I BUY THE CRN VIC AGAIN? YES.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 1999 FOR THE 1992 CROWN VICTORIA'S. *NM

ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL (COMPUTER) FAILED TWICE CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL.*AK

GEAR SHIFT LEVER SHAFT BROKE PREVENTING OPERATOR FROM REMOVING FROM PARK. *AK

FAULTY WINDOW MOTORS ,FAULTY WATER PUMP ,FRONT SUSPENSON FAULTY. *AK

THE TIE ROD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BECAME LOOSE. *NLM

THE FUEL PUMP FAILED BECAUSE THE WIRING RUBBED AGAINST THE SENDING UNIT AND BLEW THE FUSE. *JB

THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE NATION WIDE RECALL TO PROVIDE SHIELDS AROUND CROWN VICTORIA FUEL TANK DOES NOT INCLUDE CIVILIAN VEHICLES, ONLY POLICE VEHICLES. *NLM *NLM

WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, TOOK OFF AND THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. *JG*JB

Crash 1 injured

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A WINDING ROAD THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY DIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE TIE ROD FELL OFF. CONSUMER STATES DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS TOTALLY DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT OIL PAN HAS RUSTED OUT. OIL IS LEAKING ON STRUTS AND ONTO THE GROUND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

THIS CAR HAD CONTINUED BRAKE DEFECTS FROM 03/29/01 (OUR FIRST FIRE) UNTIL THE LAST FIRE. WE SPENT NEARLY $4,000 ON BRAKES, EACH TIME BEING TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. FINALLY, AFTER THE LAST FIRE IN FREMONT, NY, 3 DAYS AFTER THE LAST REPAIR BILL OF NEARLY $800 FOR BRAKES, THE COMPANY FOUND A STATEMENT FROM FORD SAYING THIS PARTICULAR MAKE COULD HAVE A BAD BOOSTER (FROM THE FACTORY), WHICH WOULD NOT SLOW THE CAR PROPERLY AFTER 60 MPH AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND BRAKE FAILURE. WE WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR OVER 60 MPH; THE TWO FORMER OWNERS WERE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DID GOOD TO DRIVE IT 50 MPH. THE DEALER USED THE FOLLOWING TO FIX THE CAR: WWW.FORDTECHSERVICE.DEALER CONNECTION.COM/TPSCONTENT/USEN14/TN1902.HTM. HE TOLD MY HUSBAND FORD OFTEN DOESN'T ISSUE RECALLS UNTIL SOMEONE HAS TROUBLE WITH A PART. FORD KNEW THIS EXISTED; IT IS DATED 08/09/1992. WE FEEL FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO ANSWER WHY THEY DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL THAT CAUSED NOT ONE, BUT TWO FIRES; THE LAST ONE ON RECORD WITH FREMONT, NY POLICE AND FIRE TRUCKS, WHO RESPONDED, AND WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE., NOT TO MENTION REFUND SOME OF OUR MONEY. IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED. NO ONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND $4,000 ON BRAKES IN 50,000 MILES, AND HAVE THEM CATCH ON FIRE THREE DAYS AFTER A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR JOB. ALL OTHER MAJOR CAR MAKERS ISSUE RECALLS BEFORE OWNERS HAVE PROBLEMS, IF THEY KNOW IT. WHY DOESN'T FORD? WHY DON'T YOU MAKE THEM DO THAT?*AK

Fire

LOTS OF HEAT IS COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO RECALL 96V-071.*AK

FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT HAS RIPPED OUT OF THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET. *YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Fire

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TURNING ONTO THE PARKWAY THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION STOPPED OPERATING. *JB THE VEHICLE SURGE FORWARD AND BECAME OUT OF CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE A CABLE THAT HAD SNAPPED AND CAUGHT ITSELF BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR. *YH

CAR STALLS AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN GAS ISNT BEING APPLIED-SAME DIAGNOSIS FOR 1991' MODELS RECALLED! I BELIEVE MY 1992 IS EARLY MODEL W/SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS!*AK