1990 Ford Crown Victoria: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria: 2 recalls, 43 owner complaints.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #92V075000 · 1992 · 25,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear brake lines have inadequate clearance between the brake tube and the vehicle underbody in the area of the left rear wheel opening.
Why it matters: Inadequate clearance can cause abrasion of the brake lineand a leak can develop, resulting in loss of brake fluid to the rear brakesystem and increased stopping distances.
The fix: Repair any brake lines that have an indication of contact or have the potential for contact with the body of the vehicle. Relocate lines, if necessary.
Suspension Vehicle recall #98V322000 · 1998 · 175,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043001 · 1990 · 172,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Threaded inflator components May have been damaged during assembly which May allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (10): the most common themes are fire / smoke (6), electrical failure (6).
- Airbags (7): the most common themes are warning light on (4).
- Speed control / throttle (7): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (3).
- Fuel system (5): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
The 1990 Ford Crown Victoria has 43 owner complaints, ranking #20 of 22 Crown Victoria model years for complaints (well below the 130 average). Complaints peaked in 1995 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old. Neighboring years: 1991 (55 complaints, 3 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Ford Crown Victoria, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Ford Crown Victoria problems?
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (10), airbags (7), speed control / throttle (7).
Where can I get a 1990 Ford Crown Victoria repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.