Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports10 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

35 reports

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Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility

DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK, WILL BLOCK THE VIEW AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, COOLANT LEAKING, ENGINE OVERHEATING, TRANSMISSION WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #8001306

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH ENGINE WILL OVE HEAT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS TO STOP AND REFILL RADIATOR WITH ANTI-FREEZE, AND ENGINE WILL COOL DOWN, THEN COULD KEEP DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8001305

Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THERE SEEMED TO BE NO WARNING REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, OTHER THAN A SLIGHT HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE IN THE AM., MUCH LIKE THE SOUND OF A SERPENTINE BELT.THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WAS APPROPRIATE WHEN CHECKED. THE COMPUTER READING HAS STATED SEVERAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING A BAD CLUTCH.IT WILL COST $2000.00 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMIS…

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NHTSA ODI #755989

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER STEERING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000581

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER HAD TO CONTROL OF VEHICLE, TOOK IT TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000579

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2001

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #563480

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STALLED PREMATURELY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #752171

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE, ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STOPPED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS JUST THE PART ITSELF THAT WENT OUT.(DAUGHTER ON BEHALF OF MOTHER)*JB

NHTSA ODI #562220

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I REQUESTED FOR THE AUTO TO BE RETURNED DUE TO DEFACT OF THE ENGINE PART AND NOT HAVE NEGATIVE REPORT. MY DAUHGHTER, LA TOSHA D. WRIGHT IS HANDLING MY AFFAIRS DUE TO ME HAVING CONGESTED HEART FAILURE. SHE WAS DRIVING THE AUTO WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. I ALSO HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FORD'S AUTO. BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, FORD PROCLAIM THAT THERE ARE NOT RESPONBILE FOR THEIR PARTS AFTER WARRANTY. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS SAYING THAT FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE PARTS AND PRODUCTS FOR THE AUTOS. TO MY UNDERSTANDING THE CONTOURS ARE NO LONGER BEING MADE. WHY? IS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF RECALLS AND DEFACTS OF THEIR AUTO PARTS. PLEASE SEND ME A LIST OF COMPLIANTS ALSO AGAINST FORD REGARDING THEIR CONTOURS. THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD'S CARELESS OF PRODUCTION. I DO NOT WANT TO PURCHASE ANY MORE FORDS. LATOSHA WROTE A LETTER TO JACK NASSAR, CEO OF FORD, ON JUNE 21, 2001 AT 16800 EXECUTIVE PLAZA DRIVE, PO BOX 6248, DEARBORN, MI 48212 AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #748196

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THERE IS A FUEL SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR 4 TIMES, AND ONCE COOLANT SENSOR.BUT, IT DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892206

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.

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.

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.

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 ↗