1992 Ford Crown Victoria

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1992 Ford Crown Victoria
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

Complaints
316
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

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 316 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
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1986 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 316 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1994 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1998 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2002 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2006 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2010 2011: 23 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 27 complaints 1986 1987: 42 complaints 1988: 43 complaints 1988 1989: 75 complaints 1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 56 complaints 1992: 316 complaints 1992 316 1993: 188 complaints 1994: 198 complaints 1994 1995: 250 complaints 1996: 276 complaints 1996 1997: 288 complaints 1998: 119 complaints 1998 1999: 134 complaints 2000: 85 complaints 2000 2001: 53 complaints 2002: 58 complaints 2002 2003: 249 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 193 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2006 2007: 50 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2008 2009: 44 complaints 2010: 12 complaints 2010 2011: 23 complaints

1992: 316 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.

Service brakes

28% · 89 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

FIRE

Electrical system

18% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-25

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE

Vehicle speed control

13% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-02-28

While foot was on the brake, consumer started the vehicle and the vehicle accelerated, took off and the brakes were inoperative.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-08

Suspension failed, causing loss of control.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-22

Also filed under Suspension

Power train

10% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1992Complaint volume 316 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1992-06-10Unknown or other92V023000 Incorrect instrument panel wiring assemblies in some vehicles will not actuate the "Anti-lock" Brake warning lights.

    Remedy: Modify the wire assembly to allow actuation of the anti-lock brake warning lights.

  3. I
    1993-10-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-28 Hood fly-up while driving
  4. R
    1994-02-18Seats93V193000 An unused power seat harness connector is positioned on the rubber floor mat under the seat. If the vehicle is operated in cold weather in areas that have large amounts of salt used for snow and ice…

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the unused connector and install a sealed heat shrink cap over the affected wires.

  5. I
    1994-04-08Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Steering power assist failure
  6. I
    1994-06-30Engineering analysisClosed 1995-03-02 Steering power assist fail
  7. I
    1994-10-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-12-28 Brake line punctures
  8. I
    1994-11-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-03-29 Fuel line interference
  9. I
    1995-03-29Engineering analysisClosed 1997-01-30 Undercarriage fuel line interference
  10. R
    1996-07-17Service brakes, hydraulic96I002000 No summary on file.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear brake lines, and if necessary, replace a section of the rear brake lines if it is leaking. Also the rubber shield on the line will be inspected to verify that it is…

  11. R
    1997-04-24Latches/locks/linkages97V024000 Vehicle description: police and taxi vehicles. The hood latch striker can wear or become detached from the hood.

    Remedy: Dealers will install an improved hood latch striker (Vehicles with 1992 model hoods) or revised striker plate attaching fasteners (Vehicles with 1993-1997 model hoods).

  12. R
    1999-01-18Suspension98V322000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).

  13. R
    1999-05-20Electrical system99V124000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The speed control deactivation switch can develop a resistive short in the electrical circuit that could potentially result in an underhood fire. A fire is…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new speed control deactivation switch and connector shell. Owner notification began May 20, 1999.

  14. I
    2001-09-20Recall queryClosed 2002-09-06 Engine compartment fires
  15. I
    2001-11-27SQClosed 2002-10-03 Post rear end collision fires
  16. I
    2002-08-22Defect petitionClosed 2002-12-04 Fuel-fed fires
  17. I
    2002-09-06Engineering analysisClosed 2004-06-30 Speed control deactivation switch fires
  18. R
    2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control…

  19. R
    2008-02-18Vehicle speed control08V051000 Ford is recalling 225,000 my 1992-2003 Econoline, my 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, my 1992-1998 Crown Victoria, my 1993 Bronco, F-Series, my 1995-1997 F-Series super duty stripped chassis, my 1992-1998…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on February 18, 2008. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

  20. R
    Date not on fileFuel system, gasoline02I003000 In order to enhance police office safety, model year 1992-2003 Crown Victoria police interceptor (Cvpi) vehicles will be equipped with shields designed to help protect the fuel tank in high-speed rear-impact crashes.

    Remedy: Ford has advised us that shield kits have been available since late October and will be installed on police interceptor vehicles at no cost. The optional trank package will be available by the end of 2002.

Buy-smart checklist

1992 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 89 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 56 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 51 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02I003000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 92V023000 · Unknown or other
  • Recall 93V193000 · Seats
  • Recall 96I002000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97V024000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 98V322000 · Suspension
  • Recall 99V124000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 08V051000 · Vehicle speed control

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Ford Crown Victoria have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.