1994 Ford Crown Victoria
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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 2 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1987 | 42 |
| 1988 | 43 |
| 1989 | 75 |
| 1990 | 43 |
| 1991 | 56 |
| 1992 | 316 |
| 1993 | 188 |
| 1994 | 198 |
| 1995 | 250 |
| 1996 | 276 |
| 1997 | 288 |
| 1998 | 119 |
| 1999 | 134 |
| 2000 | 85 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2003 | 249 |
| 2004 | 138 |
| 2005 | 193 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 50 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 23 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
16% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION DETACHED AT THE BALL JOINT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200403
15% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cruise control and cables.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AFTER DRIVING 30 MILES, I PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY HOME. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180107
Also filed under ENGINE
ON THE EVENING OF AUGUST 14, 2005, A NEIGHBOR INFORMED MY FAMILY THAT OUR PARKED 1994 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, VIN NUMBER [XXX], HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. IT MAY BE ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20050819
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATION IDLE PULL THROTTLE WENT OPEN THROTTLE POSITION LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE HITTING A BRICK WALL IMPACT 12:00 POSITION SPEED 50 MPH. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950306
15% of complaints: suspension — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lower ball joint and upper ball joint.
12% of complaints: power train — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.
DEATH10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE ADAPTOR TO THE AXLE HOUSING FLANGE CAN LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE. IF ONE OR MORE OF THE NUTS COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEEDED, INSTALL NEW BOLTS. IF ANY OF THE FASTENERS ARE DISCONNECTED, THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED.
Campaign 94V152000 — check if this car was fixed
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS TO THE FRAME MOUNTING BRACKETS CAN LOOSEN AND FRACTURE AT ONE OF THE BOLT HOLES CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL NEGATIVE CAMBER AND STEERING PULL TO THE AFFECTED
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE LEVELS OF THE FOUR UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BOLTS, AND IF ANY ARE LOOSE, THE BRACKETS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE IS PRESENT, IT WILL BE REPAIRED.
Campaign 95V194000 — check if this car was fixed
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).
Campaign 97V024000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONTAIN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
Campaign 98V322000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES
FUEL-FED FIRES
SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES
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, S
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 DEACTIVATION
Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed
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 MERCUR
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.
Campaign 08V051000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 02I003000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1994 Ford Crown Victoria — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02I003000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94V152000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V194000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V024000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V322000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V051000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1994 Ford Crown Victoria reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford Crown Victoria is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Crown Victoria?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Crown Victoria have?
7 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.