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

Visibility complaints

41 reports

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Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000

Visibility

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH POWER WINDOWS, FRONT LEFT SIDE, THIS CAR HAS HAD 5 PREVIOUS OWNER'S

NHTSA ODI #729026

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2000

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BEST BUY FOR MY MONEY AND SEEING I AM A SINGLE MOM I NEEDED A DEPENDABLE CAR AND THIS HAS TURNED OUT TO BE THE CAR OF MY NIGHTMARES. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM WAS DISHONEST ALL THE WAY DOWN THE ROAD KNOW THAT I HAD LITTLE MONEY TO PAY FOR A CAR LET ALONE TO KEEP TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I ASKED NORTHGATE FORD TO HELP ME OUT ON BUYING A CAR BECAUSE I HAVE NOT DONE THIS ON MY OWN BEFORE AND TO KEEP IN MIND THE FACT THAT I COULD BE ONE OF THERE SISTERS AND REALLY NEED THEM TO HELP ME TO BUY A CAR THAT WASN'T GONNA HAVE A BUNCH OF TROUBLES. THEY AGREED WITH HELPING ME OUT AND COME TO FIND OUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCREWED IN MY LIFE. MY GOAL IS TO BUY A BRAND NEW CAR IN 5 YEARS OR SO AND I WILL STILL BUY FORD BUT IT WON'T BE THROUGH NORTHGATE FORD. I THINK NORTHGATE MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN THE RULE OF THUMB "ONE UNSATISFIED PERSON TELLS 10". NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724212

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2000

SuspensionVisibility

WINDOW STUCK DOWN, AND STRUTS NEEDED.....4 YEARS OLD???

NHTSA ODI #724066

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2000

Visibility

MY AC/HEATER SWITCH HAS GONE OUT TWICE. THERES SEEMS TO BE A SHORT IN WHICH THE PLASTIC IS MELTED BEHIND THE SWITCH, WHERE THE SWITCH CANNOT BE TURNED.

NHTSA ODI #722443

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000

Visibility

THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE . NLM

NHTSA ODI #552089

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2000

EquipmentVisibility

DUAL FAN ON AIR CONDITIONER WAS CONSTANTLY ON. CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL LETTER FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. BUT, THEN OTHER SIDE WINDOW WAS NOT WORKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855516

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2000

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AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE HAS BEEN RECALLED, BUT FORD REFUSES TO COVER UNDER THIS RECALL THE A/C COMPRESSOR, WHICH FAILED PREMATURELY. CHRIS EARLY, AT JOE MACHENS FORD, COLUMBIA, MO, INFORMED ME THAT THE COMPRESSOR HAS NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH THE AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER, AND SO, WILL NOT COVER THE WORK UNDER THIS RECALL. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE A/C COMPRESSOR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER AND ITS PROBLEM (BLOWING AIR QUITE HARD, BUT WITH NONE COMING OUT THE VENTS, AND NOT HEATING OR COOLING THE CAR/DEFROSTING THE WINDOW). THOUGH I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN 9 OR 10 TIMES TO HAVE THE AC/HEATER/DEFROSTER/BLOWER PROBLEM FIXED, I STILL HAVE TROUBLE WITH IT FROM TIME TO TIME. SURELY THIS KIND OF STRAIN CAUSED THE A/C COMPRESSOR TO WORK HARDER, AND BE SUBJECT TO UNDUE STRESS AND THEREFORE IMMATURE WEAR AND TEAR AND ULTIMATELY FAILURE. (EVEN THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE EARLINESS OF THE COMPRESSOR FAILURE). PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM, SINCE I HAVE HAD TROUBLE GETTING ANYWHERE WITH FORD IN THE PAST -- I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY SORT OF REPLY FROM FORD AS TO MY INQUIRIES TO THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM, WHICH I REGISTERED IN WRITING TO THEM IN AUGUST 1998. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR WORK! *AK

NHTSA ODI #716961

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999

Visibility

PASSENGER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL OFF TRACK, CAUSING WINDOW TO FAIL TO OPERATE, LEAVING WINDOW OPEN FOR BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEALER / MANUFACTYRER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #853346

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1999

Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

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HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS: INTERIOR/BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO LIGHT. REPLACED SWITCH TWICE. FUEL FILLER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH LATCH INSIDE. NEVER WORKED. CIGARETTE LIGHTER FAILED. POWER WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE HAS FAILED. CAR INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT START DUE TO DRAINED BATTERY. MECHANIC COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR THIS RELATED TO ALTERNATOR/CHARGING SYSTEM OF CAR. NEVER ABLE TO FIX THIS. TRUNK LEAKS WATER AROUND SEAL. ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON . MECHANIC COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH ABS. AIR CONDITIONER/HEATER WOULD ONLY BLOW OUT DEFROST SETTING. ALSO BAD SMELL COMES FROM AC WHEN ON. REAR SEAT BELTS KEEP JAMMING; NOT ABLE TO USE SOMETIMES BECAUSE THEY WON'T COME OUT. WORST PROBLEM SO FAR: TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. NOT YET FIXED. I LOVED THIS CAR ONCE, NOW I HATE IT! THE WHOLE THING SHOULD BE RECALLED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714746

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1999

Visibility

HEATER HOSE HAD A LEAK DUE TO BRACKET ABOVE RUBBING INTO IT. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. HAD PART REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849838

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 ↗