NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
339 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling
WHILE PULLING INTO GAS STATION GOING 5 MPH DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ON AUGUST 7, 2001 WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, THERE WAS A LEAK IN RADIATOR CORE, FLUID DRIPPED ON COMPUTER CHIP FOR AIRBAG, CORRODED CHIP AND SHORTED OUT. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS…
Read full complaint
WHILE PULLING INTO GAS STATION GOING 5 MPH DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ON AUGUST 7, 2001 WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, THERE WAS A LEAK IN RADIATOR CORE, FLUID DRIPPED ON COMPUTER CHIP FOR AIRBAG, CORRODED CHIP AND SHORTED OUT. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $1500.00 TO $ 2000.00. NO INJURIES. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #894053
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER GOT A WARNING ABOUT HEAD GASKETS, MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00M10. BUT DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON VEHICLE. ALSO, DID NOT CHECK VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED WILL NOT FIX HEAD GASKET UNLESS COMPLETELY DAMAGED. ALSO, DEALER STATED THIS WAS NOT A RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893942
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ HOT, REPLACED UPPER LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, THERMOSTAT, TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT, NEW WATER PUMP, AND ANTIFREEZE, NEW SERPENTINE BELT, STILL OVERHEATS, STEAM POURING OUT OF EXHAUST, APPARENTLY BAD HEAD GASKETS!!! IS THERE OR WILL THERE BE A RECALL OR RECOURSE I CAN TAKE WITH FORD ? MY CAR HAS RECEIVED TOP OF…
Read full complaint
TEMPERATURE GAUGE READ HOT, REPLACED UPPER LOWER RADIATOR HOSE, THERMOSTAT, TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT, NEW WATER PUMP, AND ANTIFREEZE, NEW SERPENTINE BELT, STILL OVERHEATS, STEAM POURING OUT OF EXHAUST, APPARENTLY BAD HEAD GASKETS!!! IS THERE OR WILL THERE BE A RECALL OR RECOURSE I CAN TAKE WITH FORD ? MY CAR HAS RECEIVED TOP OF THE LINE CARE SINCE IT ROLLED OFF THE LOT! *AK
NHTSA ODI #745876
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DRIVER LOSES POWER AND GAS MEILAGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888530
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET HAS CRACKED, POSSIBLY DAMAGING ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00M10, HOWEVER FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO RECEIVING NOTICE AND CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #887193
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE 1994 & 1995 FORD MUSTANG ENGINES HAD AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND REPAIRS WERE DONE BY FORD DEALERS. FORD DEALERS IN SOME CASES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES AND TOLD CONSUMERS THAT FORD HAD PUT A NEW ENGINE, HOWEVER, CONSUMERS WERE NOT TOLD THAT FORD HAD USED HELICOILS ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER BLOCKS. HELICOILS IS A CHEAP, …
Read full complaint
THE 1994 & 1995 FORD MUSTANG ENGINES HAD AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND REPAIRS WERE DONE BY FORD DEALERS. FORD DEALERS IN SOME CASES HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINES AND TOLD CONSUMERS THAT FORD HAD PUT A NEW ENGINE, HOWEVER, CONSUMERS WERE NOT TOLD THAT FORD HAD USED HELICOILS ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER BLOCKS. HELICOILS IS A CHEAP, QUICK FIX, AND NON-PERMANANT GAUGET TO REPAIR STRIPPED TREADS. CONSUMERS ARE UNAWARE UNTIL THE CAR IS TAKEN FOR A TUNE-UP OR THE HELICOILS FAIL, CAUSING THE CONSUMER ADDITIONAL REPAIRS IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ANOTHER HEAD JOB. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744801
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BEFORE 100,000 MILES. THE HEAD GASKETS GOING OUT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM IN MUSTANGS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744737
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
SEEN FORD HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS ON THE 3.8 V6 ENGINE. THIS IS ONE OF THEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744311
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE IS OVERHEATING DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, PAST 220 DEGREE MARK AND RISING. THIS IS AFFECTING OPERATION OF VEHICLE BECAUSE VEHICLE STALLS. A PRIVATE MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ALUMINUM HEADS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF OVERHEATING. THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE, AND THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN…
Read full complaint
ENGINE IS OVERHEATING DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, PAST 220 DEGREE MARK AND RISING. THIS IS AFFECTING OPERATION OF VEHICLE BECAUSE VEHICLE STALLS. A PRIVATE MECHANIC EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ALUMINUM HEADS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF OVERHEATING. THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE, AND THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #886066
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages
IF THIS WAS RECALLED ON OTHER VEHICLES (SAME MODEL YEAR) WHY DID FORD LEAVE OUT THE MUSTANG? I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OWNERS OF 195 WINDSTAR WHO TOLD ME THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR FREE ON THEIR VEHICLES. THIS SHOWS THAT FORD ADMITS A DEFECT, YET THEY FAIL TO INCLUDE MUSTANGS IN THIS GROUP. THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE IS THE SAME …
Read full complaint
IF THIS WAS RECALLED ON OTHER VEHICLES (SAME MODEL YEAR) WHY DID FORD LEAVE OUT THE MUSTANG? I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OWNERS OF 195 WINDSTAR WHO TOLD ME THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR FREE ON THEIR VEHICLES. THIS SHOWS THAT FORD ADMITS A DEFECT, YET THEY FAIL TO INCLUDE MUSTANGS IN THIS GROUP. THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE IS THE SAME FOR ALL FORD VEHICLES. WHEN THEY HAD THE HOOD SEPARATION PROBLEM ON WINDSTAR, THEY ALSO RECALLED MUSTANGS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD ALSO RECALL THE MUSTANG FOR INFERIOR MATERIALS USED FOR THE FRONT COVER GASKET. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF, I CAN LEAD TO LARGER PROBLEMS. WITH THIS ECONOMY, MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE AN EXTRA $600 DOLLARS LAYING AROUND. URGE FORD TO INCLUDE MUSTANGS IN THIS GROUP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #743750
Official recalls
5Dec 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 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.
Oct 3, 2001
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 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.
Oct 30, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.
Oct 20, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS. TEARING OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS DURING MINOR FRONT END COLLISIONS CAN RESULT IN A GAP AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. AIR FORCED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PANELS CAN PRODUCE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO FORCE THE OUTER PANEL UPWARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AREA FOR ANY DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, THE HOOD WILL BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS.
Jul 17, 1995
THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WITH INCORRECT TAPER BALL STUDS. THE INCORRECT TAPERED BALL STUDS CAN FRACTURE WITHIN 50,000 MILES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FRACTURED BALL STUD CAN RESULT IN A NOTICEABLE SHAKE OR SHIMMY AND COULD CAUSE THE AFFECTED WHEEL TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY TAPERED BALL STUDS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4EA98013 · Parking Brake
Opened May 27, 1998 · Closed Oct 31, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE97051 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Dec 23, 1997 · Closed May 27, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE NUMBER OF CRASHES REPORTED TOT HE MANUFACTURER WARRANTS FURTHER THIS INVESTIGATION
EA97018 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment
Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Oct 22, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE97011 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS INDICATING THE OUTER HOOD PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES AS THEY WERE BEING DRIVEN.FORD HAS PROVIDE 39 ADDITIONAL REPORTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH ODI REPORTS.FORD INDICATES THAT THE LIKELY CAUSE IS PRIOR COLLISION DAMAGE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.
Illustration