Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports24 fire reports24 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

119 reports

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Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2001

Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER HAD JUST PARKED CAR AND TURN IT OFF AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THEN, 10 TO 15 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER SAW SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM ENGINE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880475

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001

Electrical SystemInterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON TAIL LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED, AND CAUSE COULD NOT BE FOUND. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880400

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001

Electrical System

CONSUMER IS ABLE TO PULL KEY OUT OF IGNITION IN ANY GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880334

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001

Electrical SystemService Brakes, Air

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I GOT THIS CAR IN APRIL 96. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY LOSES POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING AT ALL. IT LOCKS UP THE STEERING AND BRAKES. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND IN VARYING TEMPERATURES. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE MOST RECENT EPISODE WAS JAN 14, 2001. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR, OTHER TIMES IT WILL START BACK UP. THIS LAST TIME IT STARTED BACK UP AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. FORTUNATELY, OTHER DRIVERS HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION, AND I HAVEN'T BEEN KILLED. THIS CAR HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON...DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM, BUT CHARGES $110 TO DIAGNOSE IT EACH TIME!....THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CABLE BROKE IN 2000. AGAIN, FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND NO CARS NAILED ME. THE PAINT ON THIS CAR IS BEGINNING TO PEEL/CRACK EVEN THOUGH IT IS GARAGE KEPT. I HAVE HAD TO PUT 3 SETS OF BRAKES ON THIS CAR...HAVE ALSO HAD THE DASH AND TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT (WHICH THEY DID FIX) ALSO THE AC KNOB BROKE (WHICH THEY FIXED) I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR ALL KNOWN RECALLS. FORD HAS NEVER RESPONDED TO MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMPLETE POWER LOSS I KEEP EXPERIENCING AND THE DEALER JUST SUGGESTS TOTALLY USELESS REPAIRS THAT COST ALOT AND DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #740570

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2001

Electrical System

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MY FORD CONTOUR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT AND DYING ON ME WHILE MOVING ALONG IN TRAFFIC, AT STOP SIGNS, AND WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THE LOUD FOG HORN SOUND USUALLY BEGINS WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO STOP OR WHILE I AM STOPPED, BUT IT HAS BEGUN EVEN WHEN I AM AT FULL DRIVE SPEED OF APPROX. 35 MILES PER HOUR. THE STALLING OUT AND DYING SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN THE TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE ARE VERY COLD. THE CAR ALSO TENDS TO REV ITSELF (UP TO 1500 RPMS) WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ETC. AFTER I HAD THE MAF SENSOR REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, BACK IN JAN. 2000, THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV ITSELF AND TRIED TO STALL OUT. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE AUTO SERVICE CTR. AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER AND THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEMS. WHILE THE CAR DID NOT REV ITSELF AT STOP OR IDLE, AS MUCH AS BEFORE, IT DID STILL CONTINUE TO REV AT A FULL STOP. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN ROARING LIKE A FOG HORN AND COMPLETLY STALLED OUT AND DIED ON ME WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT STOP SIGNS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, IN PARKING GARAGES IN LONG LINES OF TRAFFIC, AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. I RECENTLY TOOK THE VEH. BACK TO THE SERVICE CTR. AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AGAIN THE MAF SENSOR AND THAT A REPLACEMENT WOULD INDEED FIX THE PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS STILL ROARING AND STALLING/DYING ON ME WHEN I'M OUT IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I CERTAINLY CONSIDER IT A SAFETY HAZARD. I FINALLY WENT TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AFTER THE 2ND MAF SENSOR (01/01) DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE NHTSA INDICATE THE SAME PROBLEMS (STALLING/DYING OUT) ARE HAPPENING IN OTHER CONTOURS. NOW, THE FORD SERVICE CTR. IS TELLING ME THAT I NEED A DUCT AND RESONATOR ASSEMBY (PART # F-6RZ-9B659-CA) TO CORRECT THE NOISE AND STALLING OUT PROBLEMS THAT I WAS TOLD THE MAF SENSOR WOULD CORRECT. EVIDENTLY, THE ENTIRE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM HAS A REAL PROBLEM IN THIS CONTOUR. PLEASE REVIEW AND DO A RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #739992

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2001

Electrical SystemInterior LightingVisibility

WHENEVER STARTING VEHICLE OR EVEN DRIVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD START ACTING UP. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD GO ON BY THEMSELVES, HAVE NOT BEEN TURNED ON. LIGHTS, INTERIOR & EXTERIOR, WOULD GO OUT. IGNITION WILL NOT START VEHICLE SOMETIMES.ALSO, WOULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE. DID NOT HAVE A BATTERY PROBLEMS. HEATER BLOWER FAIL…

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NHTSA ODI #878509

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001

Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYAND VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING BLUE SMOKE. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DASHBOARD WAS BADLY BURNED. NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878232

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2000

Electrical System

THE WIRING WAS DAMAGED BY CORROSION WHICH CAUSED THE ABS LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION, THE ALARM SYSTEM TO BE DEFECTIVE, THE HEATING SYSTEM TO WORK IMPROPERLY, AND THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER TO NOT WORK. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558004

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000

Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering

SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER OR IN RAIN, POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. AT THAT TIME ALERNATOR LIGHT COMES ON, HAS BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS , SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. ALSO, FILLING UP WITH GASOLINE VEHICLE WILL SMELL FOR LONG TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876152

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2000

Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire

WHENEVER I TURN ON THE HEATER, A/C, DEFROST, OR FAN MY ABS LIGHT TURNS ON AND MY BRAKES ARE SPONGY. I HAVE LOST ALL BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN MY CAR SITS FOR A WEEKEND, THE BATTERY DIES. INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY, STILL DIES. FORD CANNOT FIND A CAUSE FOR EITHER PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE…

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NHTSA ODI #736607

Official recalls

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 6, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 13, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 8, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.

97V203000 · Fuel System, Other:storage

Nov 17, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES MODIFIED TO RUN ON EITHER GASOLINE OR COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS HAVE A SOLENOID SHUT-OFF VALVE THAT STOPS FUEL FLOW FROM THE FUEL TANK IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN MODERATE TO SEVERE COLLISIONS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A COLLISION AND THE NATURAL GAS FUEL LINE IS DAMAGED, THE SYSTEM COULD LEAK NATURAL GAS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: FORD HAS REQUESTED OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO HAVE THE CNG FUEL SYSTEM DISABLED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND TO ONLY USE GASOLINE FUEL UNTIL A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS DEVELOPED. OWNERS ARE BEING ALERTED TO THIS SOLENOID VALVE CONCERN AT THIS TIME. THE TIMING OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS IS BEING DELAYED TO ALLOW BOTH CONDITIONS TO BE REMEDIED AT ONE TIME. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS NOT RISK AS LONG AS THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED AND THE VHEICLE IS ONLY OPERATED ON GASOLINE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗