1989 Ford Crown Victoria Problems
- Complaints
- 72filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,500miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe ignition-switch and wiring problems in the steering column, with several reports of smoke or fire, and a separate cluster of complaints about the accelerator or cruise control sticking. The remaining reports are spread thinly across brakes, cooling, transmission and body hardware, and many arrive at high mileage on a vehicle that is now decades old.
- Electrical system
Ignition switch and steering-column wiring problems
- 20 complaints (28%)
- median 36,000 mi at 14.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2003
Complaints describe keys that are hard to insert or will not turn to accessory, switches that spark, and smoke or flames coming from the steering column around the ignition switch. Several owners say the vehicle caught fire while parked, and some connect the fires to earlier ignition-switch recall work. Owners also report intermittent stalling and no-restart conditions traced to the ignition module. Reported across a wide mileage range, often years after the switch was replaced under recall; several cases involve vehicles parked or just started.
What to check: Ask whether the ignition-switch recall 96V071000 was performed and when, and check the column for a hot or burning smell, melted plastic, or a switch that feels loose or sparks.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Vehicle experiencing problem with cruise control intermittently engaging and causing sudden acceleration for unknown reason. Another problem was the ignition switch which consumer was unable to turn off when needed. Also, air conditioner would give off an odor when turned on. Dealer /manufacturer were not notified at this time. Seeking help from NHTSA in these matters.”
NHTSA complaint #837819, filed 1999-05“Vehicle was parked and the steering column caught on fire. There was heavy smoke and flames were coming from the vehicle. The consumer had to call the firer department to come and put the fire out.”
NHTSA complaint #829520, filed 1998-10 - Vehicle speed control
Accelerator or cruise control sticking
- 11 complaints (15%)
- median 143,000 mi at 15.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2006
Owners describe the gas pedal dropping to the floor or staying down on its own, sometimes with cruise control engaged, and the car speeding up despite braking. Some say disengaging cruise control or lifting the pedal by foot was the only way to slow down, and dealers have pointed to throttle cable and linkage problems. A few reports note the throttle linkage sticking damaged the transmission. Mostly described at highway speeds or when pulling away from a stop, and reported on vehicles with very high mileage, often past 100,000 miles.
What to check: With the engine off, press the pedal through its range and check that the cable and linkage return freely and are not frayed or binding; also check that the floor mat cannot slide under the pedals.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While my mechanic worked on my car, I borrowed his 1989 Crown Victoria. On the third day I had it, while driving in a 45 MPH zone, the gas pedal suddenly pulled away from my foot and went all the way to the floor. I was not using cruise control so I tried pulling the pedal up by placing my foot under it and pulling up. That didn't work so I hit the gas pedal a few times, believing it was stuck somehow. When that didn't work I hit the brakes to pull the car over. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168567, filed 2006-09“While driving 65 MPH with cruise control set consumer applied the brakes but vehicle would not come out of the cruise control. A few years later while driving with cruise control on throttle linkages stuck. As a result, transmission began to slip.”
NHTSA complaint #10089531, filed 2004-08, 143,000 miles - Engine cooling
Stalling, often with A/C or vent use
- 7 complaints (10%)
- median 117,000 mi at 15.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 1997–2004
Owners report the engine dying when slowing for a ramp or stop, and in one case stalling whenever the air conditioning, heat or vent was switched on. Some trace the stalling to ignition-switch and throttle-body grommet issues and to the ignition module. In one report a plastic grommet in the throttle linkage broke, which the shop said can damage the transmission. Described mostly during deceleration or at idle with accessories running; complaints span a broad mileage range.
What to check: Ask whether the throttle-body linkage grommet has been replaced, and test-drive the car through several stops with the A/C on to see whether idle stays steady.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Plastic grommet attaching linkage from fuel injection unit to transmission broke. I drove the car about 5 miles to a transmission shop. The owner of the shop said this is a known issue, and replaced it with a brass grommet, but told me that as soon as this breaks, transmission damage occurs. I now either have to spend 1200 dollars for a rebuild, or scrap a car which is otherwise in perfect shape. If this is a known issue, why is there no recall? A 50 cent part is costing 1200!”
NHTSA complaint #10038976, filed 2003-09, 91,000 miles“Vehicle is experiencing stalling when slowing down or entering a ramp to the interstate, consumer feels it may be due to 1) recall 95s28 regarding the ignition switch, 2) TSB regarding the throttle body lever grommet, and 3) TSB regarding the automatic overdrive shifting problems.”
NHTSA complaint #557164, filed 2000-11
Buying note. On a car this old, the practical checks are the ones you can do in a driveway: ignition switch and column wiring, free-returning throttle and cruise linkage, and brake lines that have not rusted through. Service records showing whether the ignition-switch recall was completed are worth asking for.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 32 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 72 consumer complaints for the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria. 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 20 a fire, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system24 33%
- Vehicle speed control11 15%
- Engine cooling9 13%
- Seat belts6 8.3%
- Brakes4 5.6%
- Body and structure4 5.6%
- Equipment3 4.2%
- Seats3 4.2%
Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Steering (2), Tires (2), Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Consumer stated the vehicle had not been driven in 4 months and was parked in the garage, vehicle caught on fire, resulting in garage burning down and vehicle being totalled. Property damage was $54000.00.”
NHTSA complaint #8003152, filed 2002-01Vehicle speed control: “While driving accelerator pedal got stuck, causing sudden acceleration, braking system wouldn't slow down vehicle. Had to lift up the pedal, and vehicle slowed down. Cause unknown. Common problem, dealer notified and owner had cruise control disengaged in hopes of preventing further incidents.”
NHTSA complaint #834831, filed 1999-02Engine cooling: “Intermittently vehicle will stall out and die with out warning, vehicle would not restart, dealer has repaired vehicle under a safety improvement campaign. Original tfi module failed.”
NHTSA complaint #8004766, filed 2002-02Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 91,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996Electrical system › IgnitionCovers: Ford Crown Victoria 1988–1989, Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
- 90V151000Aug 21, 1990Fuel system, gasoline › StorageCovers: Ford Crown Victoria 1989
Glass element that separates electronic circuitry from pressurized fuel may loosen and create an opening that could allow pressurized fuel to enter body of sensor.
Recall details for the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE92069Steering column firesClosed · Aug 3, 1992
- PE91125Brake line puncturesClosed · Sep 11, 1991
- PE91081Heat hose restrictor/firesClosed · Jun 3, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria.
Other model years of the Ford Crown Victoria
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 23 | 54,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 12 | 135,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 44 | 71,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2008 | 50 | 100,500 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 50 | 103,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2006 | 53 | 107,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 193 | 80,086 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 138 | 92,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 249 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 58 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 53 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 85 | 91,158 | 7 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 134 | 80,048 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 119 | 88,772 | 7 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 288 | 86,000 | 8 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 276 | 103,582 | 9 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 250 | 97,504 | 8 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 192 | 111,500 | 6 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 182 | 118,356 | 7 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 310 | 101,750 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 55 | 89,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 43 | — | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 72 | 90,500 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 42 | 63,450 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 41 | 99,477 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 27 | — | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 21 | 77,825 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Crown Victoria model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria?
Owners of this model year most often describe ignition-switch and wiring problems in the steering column, with several reports of smoke or fire, and a separate cluster of complaints about the accelerator or cruise control sticking. The issues reported most often: Ignition switch and steering-column wiring problems; Accelerator or cruise control sticking; Stalling, often with A/C or vent use.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria have?
NHTSA recorded 72 consumer complaints for the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 24 complaints (33% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 11.
Has the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Ford Crown Victoria reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,500 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 91,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.