1993 Ford Crown Victoria Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1993 Crown Victoria most often describe transmission trouble centered on the torque converter, along with cruise-control and speed-control wiring concerns tied to several recalls, front-end suspension and steering wear, and brake hydraulic failures. Many reports arrive well past 100,000 miles, though some parts such as seat frames, brake lines and tie rod ends fail at lower mileage. Complaints cover both sudden events, such as a hood latch release or brake line rupture, and gradual wear, such as ball joint and tie rod deterioration.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control surge, stuck throttle, and switch fires

   • 40 complaints (22%)
   • median 114,512 mi at 14.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2015

   Complaints describe cruise control that would not disengage and let the car accelerate, or a throttle that stuck while reversing. Many owners also describe the speed control deactivation switch overheating, melting the wiring harness, or producing a burning smell, and some report engine compartment fires while parked. Owners frequently mention difficulty getting recall parts from dealers. Reported across a wide mileage range, including vehicles over 100,000 miles, and fires are described both while driving and while parked with the engine off.

   Recall 07V336000Recall 08V051000Recall 99V124000

   What to check: Ask for proof that the speed control deactivation switch recalls (07V336000, 08V051000, 99V124000) were completed; check the switch and harness at the master cylinder area for melted or discolored wiring.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “- the contact called regarding a fire to her vehicle, which started under the hood of her vehicle, at the time of the incident vehicle was parked. The contact called the fire department and they put out the fire. At the time of the incident contact wasn't aware of NHTSA campaign number 99v124000. The contact is not sure where the fire started but, was informed by the fire dept. That it was an electrical problem. Contact vehicle was totaled by the insurance company and wanted to know if there was anyway she could get reimbursed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10176386, filed 2006-12, 121,911 miles

   “Vehicle was involvoed in a fire while parked in consumer drivway, cause of fire may be due to recent mfr. Recall # 99 s 15 concerning ignition switch. Mfr. Notified and informed consumer vehicle was not under recall. Also vehicle on hold for a week for inspection if needed at cooks salvage 228/392-2288. Referenced in ea02-025”

   NHTSA complaint #839184, filed 1999-06
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Torque converter and transmission slipping or shudder

   • 31 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 4.3 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Owners describe the torque converter making loud noises, shuddering between gears, or slipping so the car surges and loses speed on its own. Several report the dealer replaced the torque converter, and one owner said a transmission flush was tried first before the converter was diagnosed as bad again. Some complaints also mention the car creeping or rolling after being shifted into park. Reported at widely varying mileage, from around 30,000 miles on one car up to much higher odometer readings.

   What to check: Drive the car through all gears and listen for shudder or noise between 40 and 45 mph; ask whether the transmission fluid was serviced and whether the torque converter was ever replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 12/4/96 my vehicle's transmission started slipping.it was still under warranty at that time.it was taken into the Ford dealership,where we were told that they had been having problems torque converters on these vehicles.a tork flush was performed and they told us everything would be ok.the vehicle has 30,000 at that time.on 6/2/99 we started experiencing the same problem.it again was taken into the Ford dealership,where again they stated the tork converter was bad and they told us again that a tork flush would be needed.the vehicle at this …”

   NHTSA complaint #738489, filed 2000-12

   “While the vehicle was in park, with no keys in the ignition, a small child grabbed the gear shifter. With only slight pressure, the vehicle slipped out of gear and rolled backwards down a hill, wedging a 16 year old female in the rear driver's side door, then pinning the female between two vehicles. The female was pronounced dead at a local hospital several hours later, as a result of the injuries received from the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #761428, filed 2002-05
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front ball joints, control arms and tie rod ends

   • 13 complaints (7%)
   • median 170,421 mi at 14.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe clunking or groaning from the front end when turning, steering pull to one side, and in some cases a ball joint separating so the front corner drops and the tire is damaged. Complaints also mention tie rod ends failing and loss of steering control. Several owners say their VIN was not covered by the control arm recalls even though the symptom matched. Mostly described on vehicles over 100,000 miles, with several reports in the 120,000 to 172,000 mile range.

   Recall 98V322000Recall 95V194000

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the front ball joints, upper and lower control arms, and tie rod ends for play, rust and missing boots, and check whether recall 95V194000 or 98V322000 applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased this car used 03/97 87,000 miles. When you would turn to the left sharp, it always made a clunk and the car would shift over. The clunk continued, so I took it to my local Ford dealer, rudig-jensen in new lisbon, they found that the bolts that attach the upper control arms to the frame were loose. The loose bolts had worn out the bolts and the upper control arm. They found that while replacing the parts, that the bolt holes in the frame mounting bracket had worn and had fractured. …”

   NHTSA complaint #710815, filed 1999-09

   “On june 6, 2004 while driving at approximately 35 MPH the passenger side front end dropped down and scraped the pavement, the steering wheel jumped around and the right front tire blew. Looking under the car revealed that the lower control arm ball joint had separated and pulled free from the control arm. The lower control arm had been forced into the sidewall of the tire and gouged a huge hole in it. Had this happened at highway speeds it could have been catastrophic with loss of control of the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10075024, filed 2004-06, 170,421 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake lines and ABS hydraulic unit failure

   • 17 complaints (9%)
   • median 107,113 mi at 13.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners report the brake pedal going to the floor after a brake line ruptured or the ABS pump and hydraulic unit failed, with fluid loss and loss of braking. Some complaints describe the brakes locking or grabbing intermittently, and a few mention smoke or fire around the master cylinder after brake work. One owner noted the dealer found the ABS hydraulic unit needed replacement. Reported from roughly 69,000 to 115,000 miles in the sampled complaints.

   What to check: Inspect the steel brake lines along the frame and rear axle for rust or seepage, check the brake fluid level and pedal feel, and ask whether the ABS pump or master cylinder has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1993 Ford Crown Victoria, I've owned this car for 8 years,the ABS pump and hcu failed, parts which are suppose to be durable and are very expensive, I have 114811 miles on this car and it is in immaculate condition inside and out, I would like to know is this car safe to drive until repairs are made,this condition was diagnosed and found by a Ford dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10143419, filed 2005-11, 114,800 miles

   “While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, and heard a popping sound. The brake line ruptured and fluid had leaked everywhere. The owner took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and was informed that they see quite a bit of these Ford vehicles with the same defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #10118976, filed 2005-05, 69,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the speed control switch and any suspension recalls have been performed for the specific VIN, and have the front suspension, brake lines and seat mounts inspected on a car this age. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop is worthwhile given how many complaints involve worn or failed front-end and brake parts.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.