1988 Ford Crown victoria problems
The Ford Crown Victoria ("Crown Vic") is a full-size sedan that was marketed and manufactured by Ford. The successor to the Ford LTD Crown Victoria, two generations of the model line were produced from the 1992 until the 2012 model years. The Ford counterpart of the Mercury Grand Marquis, the Crown Victoria was the largest sedan marketed by Ford in North America, slotted above the Ford Taurus. The Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (1992–2011) was marketed specifically for law-enforcement use; a long-wheelbase Crown Victoria sedan (2002–2011) was marketed primarily for taxi cab fleets.
The Crown Victoria was produced on the rear-wheel drive, body-on-frame Ford Panther platform, sharing its chassis with the Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. From 1997 until their 2011 discontinuation, the three model lines were the sole four-door sedans produced in North America with a full-length frame, rear-wheel drive, and a standard V8 engine. While the front and rear crumple zones were engineered into the vehicle, it was one of Ford's products that were not of unibody construction for the entire generation. The Crown Victoria was the last car made using the Ford Panther platform.
For its entire production, the Crown Victoria was produced by Ford Canada alongside the Grand Marquis at St. Thomas Assembly in Southwold, Ontario. From 1991 until 2011, over 1.5 million cars (including Police Interceptors) were produced by St. Thomas Assembly prior to its closure. A 2012 Crown Victoria (intended for Middle East export) was the final vehicle produced by the facility. Following the discontinuation of the model line, the Crown Victoria was not directly replaced, with the full-size Ford Taurus serving as the next basis for Ford police cars.
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Common 1988 Ford Crown victoria problems
The 1988 Ford Crown Victoria is known for a few common problems, particularly in the cooling system.
The cooling system is a critical component of any vehicle, and in the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria, it has been reported to have issues with leaks, specifically coolant leaks. These leaks can occur slowly over time, potentially leading to significant damage if not addressed promptly. The leakage is often attributed to the intake manifold, which may crack and cause coolant to leak behind the alternator.
In addition to the cooling system problems, the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria can also experience issues with its engine, particularly the 302 cubic inch engine. As with any vehicle, especially one that is over 30 years old, various components can fail or malfunction. The engine in the 1988 Crown Victoria is no exception, with potential problems arising from age and wear.
It is important to note that the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria is an older vehicle, and as such, it may have various issues related to its age. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to ensure the longevity and reliability of this classic car. While parts may still be available for certain components, such as the engine and drivetrain, finding specific body parts may prove challenging.
In summary, the 1988 Ford Crown Victoria has been reported to have cooling system problems, specifically coolant leaks, and potential engine issues due to age and wear. Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to ensure the car remains in good working order and to address any potential problems before they become more significant issues.
What was the worst year for the Crown Victoria?
Reliability has been a staple in the Ford Crown Victoria's reputation over the years. This comes from Ford's sturdy design, emphasizing durability and easy maintenance. However, reliability wasn't always consistent for the car. The worst year for Crown Victoria in terms of reliability was arguably 2008.
How long do Crown Vic engines last?
Anything can happen at any age or mileage, but generally speaking, the 4.6 OHC modular engine as installed in most Crown Vics, Grand Marquis, and Town Cars are good for a minimum of 300K miles with an oil change every 6K miles.
Are Crown Vics cheap to fix?
Ford Crown Victoria
For one, it is one of the least expensive cars to maintain due to how easy they are to repair. Not only that, finding parts for a Crown Vic is like shooting fish in a barrel.
What transmission is in a 1988 Crown Victoria?
4-speed AOD automatic
| Ford LTD Crown Victoria | |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 4-speed AOD automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 114.3 in (2,903 mm) (sedan) |
| Length | 211 in (5,359 mm) (sedan) 215.7 in (5,479 mm) (1990–91 wagon) 216 in (5,486 mm) (1988–89 wagon) |
What transmission is in a 1988 Crown Victoria?
4-speed AOD automatic
| Ford LTD Crown Victoria | |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 4-speed AOD automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 114.3 in (2,903 mm) (sedan) |
| Length | 211 in (5,359 mm) (sedan) 215.7 in (5,479 mm) (1990–91 wagon) 216 in (5,486 mm) (1988–89 wagon) |
What was the worst year for the Crown Victoria?
Reliability has been a staple in the Ford Crown Victoria's reputation over the years. This comes from Ford's sturdy design, emphasizing durability and easy maintenance. However, reliability wasn't always consistent for the car. The worst year for Crown Victoria in terms of reliability was arguably 2008.
How long do Crown Vic engines last?
Anything can happen at any age or mileage, but generally speaking, the 4.6 OHC modular engine as installed in most Crown Vics, Grand Marquis, and Town Cars are good for a minimum of 300K miles with an oil change every 6K miles.
Are Crown Vics easy to maintain?
For one, it is one of the least expensive cars to maintain due to how easy they are to repair. Not only that, finding parts for a Crown Vic is like shooting fish in a barrel.
1988 Ford Crown victoria car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Crown victoria problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Seat belts problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Ford Crown victoria vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1988 Ford Crown victoria
The NHTSA has received 49 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Ford Crown victoria. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1988 Ford Crown victoria vehicles.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1988-10-01
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: I RAN OVER A PIECE OF STRUCTURAL STEEL ON THE FREEWAY AND WRECKED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND WHEEL. I FOUND THAT I COULD NOT REMOVE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS USING THE LUG WRENCH FURNISHED WITH THE CAR. I SUCCEEDED IN CHANGING THE TIRE BY USING THE BREAKER BAR INCLUDED WITH MY HALF INCH DRIVE SOCKET SET THAT I HAPPENED TO HAVE IN THE TRUNK. TWENTY YEARS LATER FORD WAS STILL FURNISHING WITH THEIR CARS SHORT ARM (EFFECTIVE LENGTH ABOUT 9 INCHES) LUG WRENCHES THAT COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE USED TO CHANGE A TIRE. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-03-16
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 1988 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 5.0 LITER 302 CUBIC INCH ENGINE (FUEL INJECTED). SECOND GENERATION (2G) ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-05
- VIN: PROBLEM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: NHTSA# 96-V-071-000: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDE DUE TO VIN# DEALER NOTIFIED. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-09-03
- VIN: 2FABP74F7JX
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: CAR ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. THE THROTTLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T LET UP. TO KEEP FROM CRASHING INTO OTHERS WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND RUIN THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE THE CAR WOULD STOP.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE OIL PAN CORRODED AND BEGAN TO LEAK OIL, CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1988-03-01
- VIN: 2FABT74FOJX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS WHEN IT COMES TO A STOP. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2FABP74F7JX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION MODULE ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL, ONCE STALLED THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. NLM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN AN INTERSECTION. NLM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN AN INTERSECTION. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2FABP74F2JX
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I HAVE REPLACED THE EGR VALVE ($77.29), TPS ($29.89), HAD A DIAGNOSTIC ($30.00), CAP/ROTOR/PLUGS/WIRES REPLACED ($72.29), NEW STARTER ($32.89), FUEL FILTER ($17.89), VACCUM TEST ($42.69), BATTERY CHARGE CHECK (FREE), ALTINATOR TEST (FREE) AND MY CAR STILL STALLS AND IS HARD TO START. PLEASE CONTATCT ME CONCERNING THIS MATTER. SOMETHING IS DEFENETLY GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I HOPE A SAFETY MATTER CAN BE REVEALED BEFORE ANY GETS HURT OR KILLED. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING OUR VEHICLES SAFE ON THE ROAD AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-02-27
- VIN: 2FAFP74WXWX
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS, SLIPS. YH
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-02-27
- VIN: 2FAFP74WXWX
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: NOISE COMING FROM FRONT AND REAR END ON HARD TURNING. YH
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-10-27
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2FABP73F8JX
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SPEED CONTROL - ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAVE EITHER STEPPED ON BRAKE OR PRESSED OFF SWITCH TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED BACK TO THE SETTING OF 65MPH. ONCE THIS HAPPENED IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA WITH A LARGE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - ON 10-27-1998, AFTER MY WIFE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK (IN OUR DRIVEWAY), THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK ON ROLLED INTO THE WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE. MY WIFE WAS INJURED WHEN TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR TO STOP IT. SHE WAS KNOCKED DOWN TO THE GROUND BY THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BODY DAMAGE AND THE CATYLITIC CONVERTED WAS DAMAGED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-05-20
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION AND INJURIES.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-01
- VIN: 2FABP74F2JX
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: CONSUMER COMPLAINING OF STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP AT TIMES. ALSO THE WHEEL MUST BE ALIGNED TO REMOVE THE KEY. CONSUMER HAS TO MOVE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH IN ORDER TO GET THE WHEEL TO MOVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-11-01
- VIN: 2FABO72F8JX
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: PLASTIC LINKAGE GROMMET FAILED DUE TO DETERIORATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-23
- VIN: 2FABP73F2JX
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: WHEN FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO ITS CAPACITY OCCASIONALLY IT OVERFLOWS INTO THE HOSE INSIDE TRUNK AREA AND EXITS THROUGH THIS COMPARTMENT. NON- DRAINAGE OF FUEL. THIS ALLOW FUMES TO OVERCOME OCCUPANTS (CAUSING SICKNESS.) FINALE: RUPTURED HOSE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2FABP74FJX1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN WORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, REPAIR MAN STATES NO MORE CAN BE DONE. *SLC
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2FABP76FXJX
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: OWNER STATES THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS FAULTY AND THAT IT WONT LATCH, OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT HE HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE OFTEN WITH THIS SEATBELT AND HE IS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-01
- VIN: 2FABP73F7JX
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING COLUMN BOLTS, MOUNT TILT HOUSING TO STEERING COLUMN OUTER TUBE LOOSENED, CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL TO CONTINUE STAYING ON. AN UNSAFE CONTROL PROBLEM COULD RESULT WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-28
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2FABP73F2JX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AND THEN THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 2FABP747XJX
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: THE WATER: HEATER CORE LEAKED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2FABP79F3JX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-25
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL AUGUST, 5TH. ON AUGUST 25, VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. RECALL (96V-071). *AK
1988 Ford Crown victoria recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1988 Ford Crown victoria.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
- Summary: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
- Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Ford Crown victoria problems:
1988 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Stalling Issue - Maintenance/Repairs ...
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1988 Ford Crown Victoria Reviews - Carsurvey.org
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May 26, 2012 ... I have a Ford Crown Vic w/ 5.0 fuel injected, I changed the idle control because of sluggish and hesitates when engine - Answered by a ...
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Jul 4, 2010 ... 91-94 4.6L known for valve stem seals and puffing blue smoke out exhaust at high mileage. Suspension replace with all MOOG problem solver parts ...
Common Ground Strap Faults | Body and Interior | Crownvic.net
CrownVic.net is a forum and information center dedicated to the Ford Crown Victoria ... engine block and chassis/body is a common failure. 1988 ...
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