Ford Crown Victoria years to avoid
The Ford Crown Victoria years to avoid are 1992, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2003, 1994, 1993, 2005, 2004, 1999, 1998 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1981 is the cleanest year on record.
3,974
Total complaints
54
Recall campaigns
1980–2011
Years covered
11
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Crown Victoria years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 482 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 358 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 340 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 318 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 303 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 252 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 247 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 240 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 175 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 174 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 138 |
Every Crown Victoria year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 32 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 59 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 64 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 75 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 65 | 3 | |
| 2005avoid | 240 | 6 | |
| 2004avoid | 175 | 3 | |
| 2003avoid | 303 | 7 | |
| 2002 | 71 | 5 | |
| 2001 | 70 | 7 | |
| 2000 | 103 | 10 | |
| 1999avoid | 174 | 8 | |
| 1998avoid | 138 | 10 | |
| 1997avoid | 340 | 11 | |
| 1996avoid | 358 | 12 | |
| 1995avoid | 318 | 12 | |
| 1994avoid | 252 | 7 | |
| 1993avoid | 247 | 9 | |
| 1992avoid | 482 | 9 | |
| 1991 | 70 | 4 | |
| 1990 | 58 | 3 | |
| 1989 | 86 | 2 | |
| 1988 | 49 | 2 | |
| 1987 | 48 | 4 | |
| 1986 | 35 | 1 | |
| 1985 | 24 | 0 | |
| 1984 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 8 | 2 | |
| 1982 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Ford Crown Victoria years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Crown Victoria years to avoid are 1992, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2003, 1994, 1993, 2005, 2004, 1999, 1998. The cleanest year on record is 1981.
What is the best year for the Ford Crown Victoria?
By complaint volume, 1981 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Crown Victoria years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Ford Crown Victoria have?
Across all model years, the Crown Victoria has 54 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,974 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.