VehicleVerdict

1990 Ford Crown Victoria problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1990 Ford Crown Victoria sits mid-pack among Crown Victoria years: 58 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 70, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (11), speed control (7), and airbags (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

58

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Crown Victoria years?

Crown Victoria NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted482 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 35 complaints1987: 48 complaints1988: 49 complaints1989: 86 complaints1990: 58 complaints1991: 70 complaints1992: 482 complaints1993: 247 complaints1994: 252 complaints1995: 318 complaints1996: 358 complaints1997: 340 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 174 complaints2000: 103 complaints2001: 70 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 303 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 240 complaints2006: 65 complaints2007: 75 complaints2008: 64 complaints2009: 59 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 32 complaints
Crown Victoria NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Crown Victoria years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Ford Crown Victoria problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1119%
Airbags712%
Speed Control712%
Brakes610%
Fuel System59%
Engine47%
Suspension35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Transmission35%
Body & Structure35%
Visibility & Wipers35%
Seat Belts23%
Steering12%

Does the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V322000SuspensionDecember 16, 1998 · 175,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

92V075000BrakesMay 19, 1992 · 25,000 units

Defect

THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.

Consequence

INADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE ABRASION OF THE BRAKE LINEAND A LEAK CAN DEVELOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKESYSTEM AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

REPAIR ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. RELOCATE LINES, IF NECESSARY.

90E043001AirbagsOctober 30, 1990 · 172,000 units

Defect

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Consequence

INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 90 E 043 001 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 4, 2001

“WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED UP AND PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 40 MPH. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A METAL POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · crash

“1ST TIME-PUT ON BRAKES, CAR KEPT GOING. SLAMMED ON BRAKES WHICH LOCKED AND SCREECHED, BUT CAR KEPT ON GOING. REAR-ENDED A VEHICLE. @ND TIME- CAR KEPT GOING FASTER. TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR BUT CONTINUED TO INCREASE SPEED. PUT FOOT ON BRAKES. SLOWED DOWN ONLY A LITTLE. AS SOON AS FOOT OFF BRAKES,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 4, 1999 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED NEAR FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP BECAUSE POWER WENT OUT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · fire

1990 Ford Crown Victoria — common questions

Is the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?

It is close to typical for the Crown Victoria: 58 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1990 Crown Victoria problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), speed control (7 complaints), airbags (7 complaints).

Does the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Crown Victoria years should you avoid?

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.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.