MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Crown Victoria

▲ Better than typical
1988 Ford Crown Victoria
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:54:54.322Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Crown Victoria Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2011: 23 complaints 2011
1988: 43 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19812
19823
19835
19846
198521
198627
198742
198843
198975
199043
199156
1992316
1993188
1994198
1995250
1996276
1997288
1998119
1999134
200085
200153
200258
2003249
2004138
2005193
200653
200750
200850
200944
201012
201123

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 44%

44% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

1988 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 5.0 LITER 302 CUBIC INCH ENGINE (FUEL INJECTED). SECOND GENERATION (2G) ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20100317

VEHICLE PARKED AND SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. POSSIBLY WIRING UNDER THE DASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960228

NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19960212

SEAT BELTS 14%

14% of complaints: seat belts — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing anchorage and webbing.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CAR ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T LET UP. TO KEEP FROM CRASHING INTO OTHERS WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RUIN THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE THE CAR WOULD STOP.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020909

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19880330 — seat belts

AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.

Remedy: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.

Campaign 88V028000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19880914 — PE (closed 19890103)

ENGINE COMP FIRES

I 19910911 — PE (closed 19920115)

BRAKE LINE PUNCTURES

R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 88V028000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 2009 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 1992 ■ 1997 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.