Tires. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports8 fire reports30 injury reports

What owners actually said

411 reports

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 1998

Steering

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM, THE POWER STEERING BELT GOT WET, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #820254

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1997

Suspension

WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A BUMP, SUCH AS REPAIRED POTHOLE OR BEFORE A BRIDGE, REAR SUSPENSION JUMPS JUMPS TO THE SIDE AND GETS OUT OF CONTROL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #523619

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1997

Seat BeltsInjury

REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN CHILDREN FROM INJURIES . EVERY STOP OR TURN CAUSED CHILDREN TO SLIDE SIDEWAYS, CAUSING THEM TO CRASH AGAINST FRONT PASSENERS SEATS AND THEN BOUNCE OFF AND HIT REAR WINDOW.

NHTSA ODI #526946

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1997

Power Train

WHILE THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE DEFECTIVE MANUAL TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #819233

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1997

Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH DEER, AIR BAG BURNED ARM OF OCCUPANT AND FILLED VEHICLE WITH SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI #525253

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1997

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVLING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHIFTS GEARS FROM 4TH TO 3RD. CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THE RMP IDLES HIGH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #818944

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 1997

Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER RIGHT FRONT CORNER. IMPACT 20 MPH, AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE IS OVER 5000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. *AK

NHTSA ODI #814913

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997

Structure

THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE ARE NOT SECURE, WHEN GRABBING THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY OPEN WHEN HAVING THE LOCKS ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #817676

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1997

Seats

THE HEAD RESTS ARE TOO SMALL FOR PASSENGERS. OWNER HAS MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND BUMPED HIS HEAD ON THE BACK WINDOW. *K

NHTSA ODI #817190

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1997

Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VIBRATION.

NHTSA ODI #604518

Official recalls

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

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

DP00005 · Front Seat Belt

Opened Oct 2, 2000 · Closed May 15, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE99045 · Steering Knuckle Separations

Opened Jul 6, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available