Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1987 Ford Crown Victoria sits mid-pack among Crown Victoria years: 48 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 70, with 4 recalls and 3 closed investigations.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (31% of the total).
48
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
3
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
15
Fires reported
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 | 31% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 7 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 6 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 10% | — flat |
| Transmission | 4 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 4 | 8% | — flat |
| Steering | 3 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 2% | new |
| Lighting | 1 | 2% | new |
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
Consequence
SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
Remedy
REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
Defect
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence
COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy
INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Defect
FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.
Consequence
BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Remedy
REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.
Defect
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Consequence
STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy
REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“VEHICLE PARKED, KEY OUT OF IGNITION SWITCH; NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS; FIRE STARTED AROUND IGNITION AREA; VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK”
“HAD PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED. TT CONSUMER STATES THIS MODEL THROUGH 1989 HAS A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR GROMMET, WHEN THE GROMMET FAILS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATOR CONTROL, CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD HAS NOTIFIED ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLE…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL…”
“THE SPRING INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE BUCKLE DID NOT LOCK (BUCKLE SERIAL NUMBER 2CM328401 ALLIED CHEMICAL). *AK *CB *NLM”
“HAD PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED. TT CONSUMER STATES THIS MODEL THROUGH 1989 HAS A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR GROMMET, WHEN THE GROMMET FAILS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATOR CONTROL, CONSUMER STATES THAT FORD HAS NOTIFIED ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLE…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 48 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Crown Victoria year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (15 complaints), speed control (7 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Ford Crown Victoria. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on 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 record among Crown Victoria years belongs to 1981.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.