1987 Ford Crown Victoria recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
What could happen: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
The fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
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 1987 CROWN VICTORIA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V139000.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL LINE COUPLINGVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FUELINJECTION.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.
What could happen: BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
The fix: REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.
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 1987 CROWN VICTORIA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V131000.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Summary: FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.
Consequence: BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL RAILSVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L FUEL INJECTED ENGINES.
3. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
What could happen: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
The fix: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
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 1987 CROWN VICTORIA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V012000.
- 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: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
Summary: STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Consequence: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
Notes: SYSTEM: STERING CENTERLINKS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH 5.0 LITER ENGINES.
4. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
What could happen: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
The fix: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
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 1987 CROWN VICTORIA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V028000.
- 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: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Summary: AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR FOR SEAT BELTS FOR DUAL FACING REAR SEATS MAY BE INSTALLED IN AN IMPROPER LOCATION.
Consequence: SEAT BELT COULD BIND BETWEEN SEAT CUSHION AND SEAT BACKCAUSING THE RETRACTOR TO BE SLUGGISH OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP EXCESS BELT SLACK.
Remedy: REMOVE AND PROPERLY INSTALL THE RIGHT AUXILIARY SEAT BELTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: SEAT BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL DUAL FACING REARSEATS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1987 Ford Crown Victoria owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (15), Vehicle Speed Control (8), Fuel system (5), Gasoline (5), Seat belts (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/09/2008 · Engine · fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 87V131000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) WAS REFERENCED. POLICE AND FIRE REPOR…
07/26/2003 · Electrical system
TFI MODULE SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE. FORTUNATELY SPEED WAS ONLY 15 MPH. IF I HAD BEEN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.*AK
07/24/2003 · Seat belts
THE SPRING INSIDE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE BUCKLE DID NOT LOCK (BUCKLE SERIAL NUMBER 2CM328401 ALLIED CHEMICAL). *AK *CB *NLM
05/22/2003 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
04/30/2002 · Body / structure
LOUD POPPING SOUND HEARD. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. VISIBLE FAILURE ON RIGHT FRONT AS TIRE WAS TURNED TOWARD THE ENGINE AT THE TOP AND TURNED OUTWARD AT THE PAVEMENT. REAR UPPER BODY FRAME COMPLETE SEPARATION BY 2 INCHES, AND FRONT UPPER BODY FRAME VISIBLE FRACTURE AND READY FOR SEPARATION. ENGINE WAS RESTING ON THE MANIFOLD. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN M…
11/27/2001 · Steering
IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN BEGIN TO HEAT UP. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER REFUSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNLESS THEY PAY. *YD
04/10/2001 · Wheels / tires
LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE, SIZE: P205/75R15, DOT: ICULP2A078 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 75. INSIDE OF FENDER WALL AND TRUNK EXPERIENCED DAMAGE DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE TIRE. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO, RIGHT FRONT TIRE - SAME SIZE - HAD BALLOONED OUT ON SIDEWALL. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SEPARATIN…
09/27/2000 · Electrical system · fire
I OWN A 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA S/W WHOSE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED IN 1998 BY A FORD DEALER IN DUNDALK, MD. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A "FORD REMANUFACTURED" UNIT ALONG WITH THE CONNECTOR. LAST WEEK I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE ABOUT 200 YARDS WHEN I NOTICED THE "AMP" LIGHT SHOWING RED ON THE DASH PANEL AND MY WIFE CONCURRENTLY YELLING "THERE'S SMOKE COMING F…