Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 283 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria, and it carries 12 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 93 | 33% |
| Suspension | 28 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 28 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 4% |
| Power train | 12 | 4% |
| Air bags | 11 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 4% |
| Visibility | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
STEERING SHAFT IS BAD, EXCESSIVE RUST TO THE U JOINT IS CAUSING VARY STIFF STEERING AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP IN TURNS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE, FEELS LIKE IT COULD COME. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, CRUISE CONTROLNOT WORKING CORRECTLY. ALL THESE THINGS ARE SAFETY RELATED AND SHOULD BE FIXED. I THINK STEERING WHEEL SHOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHAR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD T
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE WAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADV
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE TIRE BUCKLED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT ME
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I HAVE A 1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WITH 83,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONTROL ARM DROPPED AND HIT THE ROAD, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. LUCKY FOR US WE WERE GOING SLOW TURNING INTO A PLACE OF BUSINESS, IF WE WERE GOING FAST IT CO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering sha
Risk: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE POLICE OFFICE SAFETY, MODEL YEAR 1992-2003 CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTOR (CVPI) VEHICLES WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SHIELDS DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE FUEL TANK IN HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES. FORD ALSO WILL BE OFFERING AN OPTIONAL TRUNK PACKAGE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SAFE
Risk: SOME HIGH-SPEED REAR-IMPACT CRASHES HAVE RESULTED IN FUEL TANK PUNCTURES AND FIRES IN CVPI VEHICLES.
Fix: FORD HAS ADVISED US THAT SHIELD KITS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE LATE OCTOBER AND WILL BE INSTALLED ON POLICE INTERCEPTOR VEHICLES AT NO COST. THE OPTIONAL TRANK PACKAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 51 | average |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 283 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 93 of them (33%). There are 12 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.