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

What owners actually said

563 reports

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1999

Electrical System

ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS FAILED, CAUSING TAIL LIGHTS/INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND PARKING LIGHTS TO GO OUT.HAD IT FIXED FOR $181.90 3/23/99 AS OF 7/2/99 DEALER SAYS HE HAS NO INFORMATION ON RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708185

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THE MOTOR FROZE AFTER OVERHEATING. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS THE HEATER HOSE RUBBED AGAINST AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE LOCATION NEAR THE FIREWALL. THERE IS NO SLEEVE ON THIS HOSE TO PROTECT IT AS OTHER HOSES ARE PROTECTED. OVER TIME IT HAD WORN A HOLE IN THE HOSE AND THE MARJORTY OF THE COOLENT LEAKED OUT AND THE SPEED THAT I WAS TRAVELING I COULD NOT TELL THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING BECAUSE OF THE RELATIVE SPEED THAT I WAS TRAVELING. I NEVER SAW THE VEHICLE OVERHEAT AND IT BLEW THE MOTOR WHILE I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT I WANTED TO LET OTHER KNOW THERE IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD WITH THE MOTOR FREEZING UP AND OFCOURSE IT IS TOO LATE. MY MOTOR STARTED TO COUGH, THAT WAS THE ONLY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708153

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 1999

Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707947

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 1999

Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED ON AND OFF, AND VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THE OCCUPANT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NOT YET LOOKED AT VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #840281

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999

EquipmentFire

WHILE DRIVING THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FAN SWITCH OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE OWNER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP. THE CONNECTOR AND FAN SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #840067

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999

SteeringVisibility

THE REAR POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. THE MOULDING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOWS HAS BEEN LOOSE EVER SINCE THE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CARPETING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOSE/ HASN'T FIT EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE BLOWER NO LONGER BLOWS THROUGH THE PANEL VENTS--ONLY THROUGH THE DEFROSTER/…

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NHTSA ODI #707580

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 1999

Equipment

COMPRESSOR AND LINES BROKE, WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE; HAVE BEEN TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES IN LAST TWO MONTHS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #707084

Mileage unknown · May 28, 1999

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, AND BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #838583

Mileage unknown · May 25, 1999

Exterior Lighting

TAIL LAMPS AND THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SAME FAILURE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT INCLUDES THE SAME RECALL DESCRIPTION, INVOLVING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. . RECALL 93V103000 *AK

NHTSA ODI #838414

Mileage unknown · May 17, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND OIL IS LEAKING. ALSO, KNOCKING SOUND IS BEING HEARD. OIL IS IN THE COOLANT, AND COMING OUT FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED TO A DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837998

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 ↗