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 · Aug 3, 2000

Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE JUMPED INTO REVERSE INADVERTENDLY WHILE IN PARK, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. MANFUACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #866711

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2000

Electrical System

THE FUSE TO TURN SIGNALS CONTINUE TO BLOW, AND THERE IS NO WARNING UNTIL ATTEMPED TO USE THE SIGNAL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER IN MAY 2000 FOR SHIFT INDICATOR PROBLEM RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND APPROXIMNATELY 12 …

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NHTSA ODI #866477

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000

Service Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WATER PUMPS FAILED.*ET

NHTSA ODI #553284

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2000

TiresFire

(3)OF THE FOUR TIRES SEPERATED WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL AT 7000MILES. DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY TWO OF THE TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #9001413

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000

Wheels

WHEELS HAVE 12 HOLES ON A 14 INCHES WHEELS WHERE THEY ARE CRACKING AND CAN POP OUT OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #865988

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000

Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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HAVE HAD 5 RECALLS SINCE BUYING THE CAR. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WATER PUMP CHANGED. THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO GET THE RECALLS DONE. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN PREVIOUSLY ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND HAD TO RESCHEDULE. THE LAST TWO RECALLS I STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THESE DONE WHEN SCHEDULE. THE AIR BAG AND THE BRAKES WERE THE LAST TWO. I SCHEDULED THEM FINALLY IN APRIL THIS YEAR. ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. I EXPRESSED AGAIN HOW HARD IT WAS FOR ME TO COME IN BECAUSE I WORK 5-6 DAYS A WEEK. AGAIN I RESCHEDULED FOR JULY. I CALLED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT VERIFIED THE PARTS WERE THERE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. AGAIN LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO BE TOLD AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS. IT SEEMS TO BE THESE RECALLS ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT. I ALSO ASKED WHY MY BRAKES SCRUBBED WHEN I STOPPED, THEY COMMENT WAS WE COULDN'T GET IT TOO. MY POINT IS IT I DO NOT BELIEVE THE FORD PLACE CARES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHAT HAPPENS TO ME OR MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #725987

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000

Unknown Or Other

CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REPEATDLY AFTER BEING FIXED. YH

NHTSA ODI #553095

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000

Equipment

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TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE PROBLEM RESOLVED, GAVE INFO ON TSB ABOUT PROBLEM ABSOLUTELLY NOTHING WAS DONE TO VEHICLE. CABLE ASSEMBLY AT BLOWER RESISTOR MELTED WHILE A/C WAS RUNNING EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON. WILL DEFINITELY HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH DEALER TOMORROW. THERE ARE TWO TSB'S ON BLOWER MOTORS IN THE 98 CONTOUR. WHY DOESN'T THE DEALERS KNOW HOW TO CHECK TO SEE IF THEY APPLY TO A PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I INFORMED THE ASST SERVICE MANAGER OF THE TSB'S ON MY VEHICLE 99M07 & 99M08 BOTH OF WHICH DEAL WITH BLOWER AND BLOWER RESISTOR PROBLEMS. SEEMS MY TRIP TO GARY SMITH THIS DATE WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND ALMOST A WASTE OF MY VEHICLE. THERE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO THE OVERHEATING CABLE ASSEMBLY AND BLOWER RESISTOR. MAYBE NHTSA CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #725598

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000

Fuel System, Gasoline

THE PART FOR THIS CAR IS BACK ORDERED AS OF TODAY NO PART AVAILABLE. CAR IS NOT OPERATIVE. BACKORDER IS WHO NATION AND CANADA. PAYING FOR A VEHICLE THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN USE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725589

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000

Electrical System

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN HORN BLOWS THERE IS A BURNT WIRE SMELL, AND THE HORN BECOMES INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #865414

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 ↗