Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports20 fire reports36 injury reports

What owners actually said

846 reports

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000

Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS DID NOT WORK IN SNOW. DEALER SAID WIRE HARNESS HAD MOISTURE IN IT. HAVE TO REPLACE HARNESS. COST: $3000+*AK

NHTSA ODI #737663

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000

Electrical SystemSuspension

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED FRONT TIRE, CAR LEFT ROAD AND HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737637

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2000

Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE HESTITATED. THROTTLE WOULD ROAR UP HIGH. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND THEN VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. BOTH DEALERSHIPS WERE AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876001

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2000

Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T START. IGNITION SWITCH DAMAGED KEY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875933

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000

Fuel System, Gasoline

UNABLE TO FILL GAS TANK WITHOUT GAS OVERFLOW, OR GAS FEEDBACK, SHUTTING OFF FUEL NOZZLE. ATTEMPTED TO TURN FUEL NOZZLE, IN EVERY POSITION TO NO AVAIL. CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL, JUST A SERVICE BULLETIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND FRUST. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737146

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000

Fuel System, Gasoline

I WAS UNABLE TO REFUEL VEHICLE AT ALL, I TOOK VEHICLE TO NOURSE FAMILY FORD OF DELAWARE, OH, FOR REPAIRS, THEY REPLACED THE FUEL NECK TO TANK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737133

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000

Visibility

Read full complaint

HEATER OPERATES INTERMITTENT, VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWS WIRE CONNECTOR AND RESISTOR PACK MELTED. FORD REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT APPEAR TO WANT TO GET INVOLVED. I NOW FIND SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR, AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE, SINCE MY WIFE HAS THE GRANDCHILDREN WITH HER AN INJURY OR DEATH COULD HAVE OCURRED. THE AGGREVATION COMES FROM FORD AND THE DEALERS WITH THE "SO WHAT ATTITUDE" ABOUT MY HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND THEN SEE THE WARRANTY COMPANY ABOUT GETTING PAID, AND THE FACT THAT THEY NEVER BOTHERED TO TELL ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM, SAFETY BULLETIN RECALLS 99M07 AND 99M08. I HAVE TO FIND THIS OUT MYSELF? LOOKING THROUGH THE DATA, SEEMS FORD HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AND ARE NOT FIXING IT, MORE THAN ONE REPORT OF DASHBOARD FIRES, CARS BLOWING UP WHEN STARTING, ETC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737077

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2000

Service Brakes, Air

Read full complaint

WHEN THE ABS FAILED, THERE WAS NO BRAKING ACTION AT ALL. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING SLOWLY ON A LOCAL CITY STREET, AND USED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON NO MORE THAN 15 SECONDS BEFORE I HAD TO USE THE BRAKES TO PREVENT HITTING A CAR THAT PULLED OUT AHEAD OF ME. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, I SLOWED THE CAR SLOWLY WITH THE STANDARD BRAKES, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY THE OTHER CAR PULLED OUT. IT TOOK 3 WEEKS FOR THE BRAKES TO BE REPAIRED, AT A COST OF $2399, NOT INCLUDING COST OF RENTAL CARS, ETC. FORD HAS DECLINED ANY REIMBURSMENT, AS THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36, 000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737058

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000

Fuel System, Gasoline

PROBLEMS OCCASIONALLY WITH DIFFICULITY FUELING--SPEWBACK OF GAS AND PREMATURE CUT OFF OF PUMP . ON OCCASION IT HAS TAKEN ME 20 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK BECAUSE THE CAR WILL ONLY ACCEPT A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS AT A TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736974

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000

Visibility

AIR CONDITIONER EMITS BAD SMELL WHEN RUNNING. ALSO WHEN HEATER IS RUNNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 8 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. DEALER STATED CONTOURS HAVE THAT PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #875501

Official recalls

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 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 1-866-436-7332.

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.

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

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.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.

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.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

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