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

Power Train complaints

30 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 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 · Nov 5, 2001

Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754113

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2001

Power Train

WHILE PULLING VEHICLE OUT OF A STOP TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #897767

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2001

Exterior LightingPower Train

TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT LEVER BUTTON WOULD STICK MAKING IT VERY HARD TO GET OUT OF PARK INTO GEAR REPAIR DONE BY FORD REPLACED SHIFT ACTUATOR & SOLENOID. TURN SIGNAL MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHEN SIGNAL NOT IS USE. SIGNALS DO WORK.

NHTSA ODI #752911

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001

Electrical SystemPower Train

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, REPLACE SENSOR, IAC VALVE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, TRANSMISSION, SHIFT ASSEMBLE.

NHTSA ODI #9004255

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001

Power Train

RECALL 98 V 233 000/SHIFT LEVEL DAMAGE: REPORTING DIFFICULTY WITH SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR FROM PARK POSITION AND/OR INDICATOR NOT CORRECTLY INDICATD ACTUAL GEAR POSITION. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER THAT RECALL. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891934

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2001

Power Train

OVERDRIVE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY COMES ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND ALLOW CONSUMER TO DRIVE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. TOLD CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BURNED OUT, AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, GEAR SHIFT HAD TO BE FORCED INTO PLACE IN ORDER TO OPERATE VEHI…

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NHTSA ODI #885939

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUMP OUT OF GEAR. ALSO, WHEN IN PARK VEHICLE IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #885834

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2001

Power Train

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WE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YRS AND DURING THOSE YEARS WE HAVE COME ACROSS A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH IT.AFTER THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASE THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO THE PROPER GEAR, IT WOULD GET STUCK ON PARK AND WE WERE UNABLE A DRIVE IT A NUMBER OF TIMES.WE THEN PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES IN WHICH ONE OF THE FRONT TIRE SPLIT , WE THEN REPLACE ALL FOUR. WE THEN HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATER AND FRONT LIGHTS. AFTER SEEING ALL THE NEGATIVE REPORTS OTHERS HAVE GIVEN ON THIS PARTICURLAR VEHICLE ONLINE WE FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.WE HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS AS TO WHETHER WE SHOULD EVEN PUT THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WITHOUT HAVING AN INVESTIGATION DONE.WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WE COULDN'T BELIEVE THEIR ATTITUDE, THEY SHOWED NO CONCERN TO OUR PROBLEM AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE US A QUOTE FOR 2200. TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN WE ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE THEY STATED NO. WE THEN SAW A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION ONLINE, SO WE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SVC IN WHICH THEY THEN SAID THAT OUR VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED ON THIS RECALL. WE EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS THIS RECALL STATED. THEY IN TURN CALLED THE MANAGER AT CROWELL'S WHO STATED THAT HE DIDN'T OFFER ANY DISCOUNT BECAUSE OF OUR ATTITUDES.HE THEN OFFER TO CHARGE 495.FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION PLUS 200.FOR ANY SERVICE CHARGE, ALSO A 28. PER DAY RENTAL. WHEN WE ASKED WHY HE LOWERED HIS PRICE SO DRASTICALLY THEY STATED THAT IF THE WORK WAS OVER 2200. THAT WAS THE AMOUNT OF THE DISCOUNT(1500.) HOWEVER, SHE ALSO STATED THAT IF OUR VEHICLE WAS OVER 75,000 MILES IT DID NOT APPLY TO US. SO WE ARE LEFT WITH NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE NO WAY OF PAYING THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY AND TO OUR SURPRISE A VEHICLE WITH SO MANY RECALLS IT SHOULDN'T TO BE ALLOW ON THE ROAD.I FEEL WE SHOULD GET OUR MONEY BACK BEING THAT THIS VEHICLE IS TOO UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743978

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 ↗