Model year record

1988 Ford Crown Victoria

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 49 owner complaints on file.

Ford Crown Victoria, 1983–1991 generation
Pictured: the 1983–1991 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V028000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
21,200
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-08
Owners notified
1988-03-30

Defect description

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

Safety risk

SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.

Manufacturer remedy

REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch8—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4—
Vehicle speed control4—
Electrical system: ignition3—
Electrical system: ignition: module3—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Electrical system1125,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Steering: column1—
Suspension1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Wheels11,900 mi

The 1987 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Crown Victoria model years

All Ford Crown Victoria recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.