1993 Ford Crown Victoria Problems: 182 Complaints, 7 Recalls

What is wrong: 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 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Risk: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
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.

Recall number 08V051000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported August 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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, smoke, or burn.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
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 switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported May 19, 1999 · 262,695 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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 possible both when the vehicle is running and when the vehicle engine is off. Also, the short could disable the speed control system or cause the brake light fuse to open.
Risk: A fire can originate in the left front underhood area.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new speed control deactivation switch and connector shell. Owner notification began may 20, 1999.

Recall number 99V124000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 16, 1998 · 175,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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 containing a one piece bearing; and 1990-1996 ford crown victoria police, fleet, and ngv vehicles and 1990-1996 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that have been serviced with either a ball joint containing the one-piece bearing or a front lower control arm containing a ball joint with a one-piece bearing. The one-piece bearing within the lower control arm ball joint can weaken slowly during use and eventually crack. This could result in separation of the ball and cap of the joint, allowing the control arm to drop to the ground.
Risk: If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).

Recall number 98V322000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latchReported March 4, 1997 · 125,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: police and taxi vehicles. The hood latch striker can wear or become detached from the hood.
Risk: Either of these conditions can result in the hood opening without warning while the vehicle is being operated impairing the driver's visibility.
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).

Recall number 97V024000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: upper armReported October 11, 1995 · 57,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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 side.
Risk: If the driver's side bracket fractured at both bolt holes, the steering control arm can contact the steering column shaft and result in a loss of steering control increasing the potential for an accident.
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.

Recall number 95V194000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: power adjustReported November 23, 1993 · 16,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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 control, a puddle of saltwater can accumulate on the rubber floor mats, repeatedly wetting the connector. This will result in corrosion of the connector, causing a current to flow between the terminals without tripping the circuit breaker.
Risk: If this occurs, current flow can heat the connector andrelease fumes into the passenger compartment, and can result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the unused connector and install a sealed heat shrink cap over the affected wires.

Recall number 93V193000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 1993 Ford Crown Victoria

Defect investigations

Speed control deactivation switch firesOpened September 6, 2002, closed June 30, 2004

Based on the low rate of fire incidents (2.5 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold) where failure of the scds is involved and the age of the vehicles ? 7 to 11 years ? A safety-related defect trend has not been identified and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02025

Fuel-fed firesOpened August 22, 2002, closed December 4, 2002

The fars data shows that the risk of fire from impact in all directions in the subject vehicles is the same as all other sedans.the subject vehicles are not over represented with respect to the risk of fire in real-world high-energy crashes.a further discussion of issues related to post crash fires in the subject vehicles is set out in the closing report for sq 01-014 and that report is in the docket for this petition.after reviewing the petition and its supporting materials, as well as information furnished by ford and gm, and information within the agency's possession from previous investigations and other related actions,the federal safety agency has concluded that futher investigation concerning post-crash fires in the subject vehicles is not likely to lead to a decision that the vehicles contain a safety defect.

DP02007

Post rear end collision firesOpened November 27, 2001, closed October 3, 2002