NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET BLEW IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. THE CAR WAS FIXED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND FORD DID PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR THE SAME GASKET BLEW AGAIN, FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE CAR BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT FORD PARTS WEREN'T USED IN THE CAR. ALSO IN 1997 THE PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION TORE UP THE CAR HAD 52,000 MIL…
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HEAD GASKET BLEW IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. THE CAR WAS FIXED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND FORD DID PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR THE SAME GASKET BLEW AGAIN, FORD REFUSES TO REPAIR THE CAR BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT FORD PARTS WEREN'T USED IN THE CAR. ALSO IN 1997 THE PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION TORE UP THE CAR HAD 52,000 MILES ON IT. IT COST ME $950 TO HAVE IT FIXED, FORD REFUSED TO PAY FOR THAT.
NHTSA ODI #729716
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR WAS SIDESWIPED WHEN NEW AND DECLARED TOTALED, HAD SIDE PANELS REPLACED AS NEW AND CAR RETITLED. HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS RETITLED THAT THE HEAD GASKET RECALL IS VOID. PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA ODI #729487
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ALTHOUGH CAR HAS NEVER ACTUALLY OVERHEATED, IT RUNS VERY HOT. IT LOSES ALOT OF WATER (OVERFLOW WILL BE EMPTY EVERY 3 DAYS OR LESS) BUT THERE IS NO LEAK. TOOK IT IN FOR A TUNEUP AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. CALLED AROUND AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON ENGINE. CALLED DEALER. THEY KEPT IT FOR 3 DAYS AND TOLD U…
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ALTHOUGH CAR HAS NEVER ACTUALLY OVERHEATED, IT RUNS VERY HOT. IT LOSES ALOT OF WATER (OVERFLOW WILL BE EMPTY EVERY 3 DAYS OR LESS) BUT THERE IS NO LEAK. TOOK IT IN FOR A TUNEUP AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. CALLED AROUND AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON ENGINE. CALLED DEALER. THEY KEPT IT FOR 3 DAYS AND TOLD US IT WAS NOT THE ENGINE, BUT THE WATER PUMP. THEY REFUSED TO FIX OR REPLACE ENGINE EVEN THOUGH UNDER RECALL. CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WAS TOLD "WE STAND BEHIND OUR CERTIFIED TECHS" AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING. ENGINE IS UNDER RECALL FOR ANOTHER 1,000 MILES, BUT FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX DUE TO RUSTY'S SAYING IT IS NOT THE HEAD GASKETS. HAD IT LOOKED AT AT A THIRD PLACE AND THEY SAY THE WATER PUMP IS FINE. THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM, BUT CAR IS STILL LOSING FLUID AND YOU CAN WATCH THE TEMP GUAGE RISE VERY QUICKLY AS YOU ARE DRIVING. DOES A RECALL MEAN THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, OR IS IT ONLY IF I HAVE PROBLEMS? I WAS TOLD BY RUSTY'S THAT IF SOMEONE ELSE SAYS THE HEAD GASKETS ARE BLOWN, THEY WILL HAVE TO PROVE IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT TEARING THE ENGINE APART. HELP!!!
NHTSA ODI #727982
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
VECHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO TURN VEHICLE ON IT SHOOK AND IDLED HIGHLY. SHE TURNED VEHICLE OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE ENGINE HYDROLOCKED. WATER AND ANTI-FREEZE GOT INTO THE CYLINDERS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #865975
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED OVERHEATING SYMPTOMS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING CASE GASKET WAS LEAKING AND IT MIGHT DAMAGE THE ENGINE, WHICH ALREADY HAD DEVLOPED KNOCKING NOISES. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED THEM FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE, SINCE IT WAS OUT OF MY REACH TO REPA…
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THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED OVERHEATING SYMPTOMS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING CASE GASKET WAS LEAKING AND IT MIGHT DAMAGE THE ENGINE, WHICH ALREADY HAD DEVLOPED KNOCKING NOISES. I CONTACTED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED THEM FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE, SINCE IT WAS OUT OF MY REACH TO REPAIR/INSTALL A NEW ENGINE. FORD COMPANY WHICH THEN WAS SENDING LETTERS FOR FREE CHANGE OF HEAD GASKETS WHICH COULD PRODUCE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MINE. BUT MY REQUEST WENT IN A VAIN. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED OPERATION SINCE THE WATER HAS MIXED WITH THE ENGINE OIL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HENCE I APPEAL THAT NHTSA SHOULD RESPOND TO THIS IN A BETTER MANNER. THANKING YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #725594
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringUnknown Or Other
ACTUAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURED OVER 2 YEARS PRIOR TO REPORTED DATE WAS ABLE TO GET BY, BUT THE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON WHEN THE ENGINE GETS TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND THE CAR IS IDLING. FORD PUT OUT CARS WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIMIT THE WARRANTY. IF IT FAILS, THEY SHOULD PAY TO REPAIR O…
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ACTUAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURED OVER 2 YEARS PRIOR TO REPORTED DATE WAS ABLE TO GET BY, BUT THE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON WHEN THE ENGINE GETS TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND THE CAR IS IDLING. FORD PUT OUT CARS WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIMIT THE WARRANTY. IF IT FAILS, THEY SHOULD PAY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PARTS- I UNDERSTAND THAT ABOUT 750,000 OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURED- FORD SHOULD PAY FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.
NHTSA ODI #725029
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE RUINED BECAUSE OF ANTIFREEZE IN OIL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724850
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP BUSTED, I NEED A THERMOSTAT, AND THAT MY GEARS (LINKAGE) WANT SHIFT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #724813
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #864425
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER BREATHS EXHAUST FUMES. ALSO, DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET CAUSES CYLINDER HEAD TO WARP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863834
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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.
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
4RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
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.
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