NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
60 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 14, 2000
Exterior LightingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
TRANSAXLE WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. L/F BRAKE PAD STAYS PARTIALLY ENGAGED RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEARING OF SAID PAD; LUCKILY, I WAS COMING TO A SLOW STOP WHEN IT GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT ANALYZED UNTIL MY SECOND FRONT BRAKE JOB WITHIN 25 0R SO MONTHS. WITH WIPERS IN USE, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL…
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TRANSAXLE WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. L/F BRAKE PAD STAYS PARTIALLY ENGAGED RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEARING OF SAID PAD; LUCKILY, I WAS COMING TO A SLOW STOP WHEN IT GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT ANALYZED UNTIL MY SECOND FRONT BRAKE JOB WITHIN 25 0R SO MONTHS. WITH WIPERS IN USE, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSES THE WIPERS TO STOP.THIS TENDS TO BRING ON A SLIGHT SENSE OF PANIC DURING A HEAVY RAIN. LIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT MY EXPENSEAS HAVE ALL OTHER BEFORE MENTIONED PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE WIPER ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR 4 MONTHS AND CAN'T AFFORD FIXING THIS INCONVENIENCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #737788
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #735013
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS WILL APPLY BY THEMSELVES. BRAKE PEDAL WILL HAVE FULL HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN BRAKING MOTION. PUSHING REAL HARD WILL RELEASE THE PRESSURE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT CAN'T REMDY ONE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #871116
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2000
Parking BrakeService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. APPLIED BRAKES AND EMGERNCY PARKING BRAKE, WHICH DID STOP VEHICLE . BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE CONSUMER TURNED IT OFF. DEALER REPLACED POWER BOOSTER WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #866036
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VACUUM BRAKING POWER ASSIST HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKING. MANUAL BRAKING IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #725601
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEW OUT, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK BRAKE SYSTEM TOTALLY REBUILT AT 52,453, MOTOR MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPLACED AT 35,771, TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT 62,188 MILES. *YH
NHTSA ODI #863947
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BY APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. TAPPED BRAKES HARDER & NOTHING HAPPENED. REAPPLIED BRAKES & VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO SPEED UP. SHIFTED INTO LOWER GEAR & VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN & APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856946
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKES WHEN STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITH CAR FAILING TO STOP. BRAKES LATER REACTIVATED AS CAR WAS BACKED UP. THERE WAS NO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. DEALER REPAIRED BRAKES BY REPLACING MASTER CYLINDER ,BUT WAS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THERE WAS A COMPLETE FA…
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EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF BRAKES WHEN STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITH CAR FAILING TO STOP. BRAKES LATER REACTIVATED AS CAR WAS BACKED UP. THERE WAS NO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. DEALER REPAIRED BRAKES BY REPLACING MASTER CYLINDER ,BUT WAS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES AND THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES LATER REACTIVATED. *ASK
NHTSA ODI #707261
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, ABOUT 90% OF THE BRAKING POWER WAS LOST. UPON THE CHECKING THE VEHICLE, A VALVE ON THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE WAS CRACKED. OWNER WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE VALVE. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833549
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
LEAKS DEVELOP IN THE SEALS WITHIN THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK, RESULTING IN BRAKING FAILURE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823842
Official recalls
5Dec 16, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Feb 26, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
May 11, 1992
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
Sep 4, 1991
MANUFACTURING ERRORS BY THE SUPPLIER OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH MECHANISM MAY CAUSE THE SECONDARY PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH NOT TO FUNCTION. IF THE LATCH IS NOT IN THE PRIMARY LATCH POSITION, THE LIFTGATE COULD OPEN WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE WERE TO OPEN DURING VEHCILE OPERATION,PASSENGERS OR CARGO COULD FALL FROM THE OPEN LIFTGATE.
Remedy: REPLACE MALFUNCTIONING LIFTGATE LATCHES.
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
14RQ98016 · Front Suspension Spring Breakage
Opened Sep 29, 1998 · Closed Jan 12, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS AY BREAK DUE TO MANUFACTURING CRACHS IN COMBINATION WITH CORROSION.
DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor
Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
PE95026 · Plastic Trim Panel Separation
Opened May 1, 1995 · Closed Aug 31, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks
Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA93022 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Jul 30, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE93065 · Underbody Fuel Line Fails
Opened Jul 15, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93010 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Mar 2, 1993 · Closed Jul 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Illustration