1983 Ford Crown Victoria recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 CROWN VICTORIA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V028000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT ENGAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS OCCURS IF THE LINKAGE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUATES THE PARK GEAR WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. A PIN THAT RETAINS COMPONENTS ON A LINKAGE (ACTUATING) ROD COULD BREAK AND THE LINKAGE MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD ASSEMBLY.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVETRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION, PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED AND THE PARKINGGEAR DOES NOT ENGAGE, UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ANDPERSONAL INJURY.NOTE: DRIVERS SHOULD ALWAYS APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER LEAVING THEVEHICLE.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. THE SHIFT INDICATOR MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIPS THAT MAY NOT BE HARD ENOUGH. THE CLIP MAY LOOSEN OR FALL OFF, AND THE SELECTOR TUBE MAY BECOME DISPLACED.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1983 CROWN VICTORIA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V017000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: THE SHIFT INDICATOR MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SHIFT SELECTOR POSITION. SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIPS THAT MAY NOT BE HARD ENOUGH. THE CLIP MAY LOOSEN OR FALL OFF, AND THE SELECTOR TUBE MAY BECOME DISPLACED.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH COLUMN SHIFT ANDAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR TUBE RETAINING CLIPS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE SELECTOR TUBE, WHICH IS ROUTED INSIDE THE STEERINGCOLUMN, CONTROLS THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE DASH.IF THE CLIP LOOSENS AND THE TUBE IS NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY, THE INDICATOR MAYNOT BE ACCURATE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE INDICATOR MAY SHOW THAT THE TRANSMISSION ISIN "PARK", WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY IN "REVERSE", OR IT MAY INDICATE "NEUTRAL" WHENTHE TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOTSET, THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR PERSONALINJURY.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4), Engine (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
05/10/2002 · Engine
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AFTER A LONG DRIVE AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN.*AK
01/05/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
05/11/1999 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED IT SURGES FORWARD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
08/12/1996 · Electrical system
VEHICLE WON'T START OCCASIONALLY DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *DH
04/29/1996 · Electrical system
UPON STARTING, LEFT VEHICLE TO WARM UP, MOMENTS LATER WHEN OPENED DOOR FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN SMOKE.. *AK
04/29/1996 · Electrical system
UPON STARTING, LEFT VEHICLE TO WARM UP, MOMENTS LATER WHEN OPENED DOOR FOUND INTERIOR ENGULFED IN SMOKE.. *AK