NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 12, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50MPH WHITE CLOUD BEGAN COMMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE AND WATER TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE, PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS HAD FAILED AND THAT REPAIR ESTAMENT WAS $1200.00, I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND RECIEVED A SLIGHTLY HIGHER ESTAMENT BUT FORD FAILED T…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT 50MPH WHITE CLOUD BEGAN COMMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE AND WATER TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO RISE, PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS HAD FAILED AND THAT REPAIR ESTAMENT WAS $1200.00, I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND RECIEVED A SLIGHTLY HIGHER ESTAMENT BUT FORD FAILED TO MENTION THAT THE TAURUS AND SABLE ENGINES WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FAULITY HEAD GASKETS.
NHTSA ODI #708511
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR RECALL 98V-009, DEALERSHIP SAID VEHICLE WAS FINE, WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE COMPONENT AND WAS DENIED SERVICES PER RECALL. MJS
NHTSA ODI #546511
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
RECALL COMPONENT HEAD GASKET FAILED, HOWEVER DENIED DUE TO EXPIRATION DATE OF JANUARY 1999. MJS
NHTSA ODI #546507
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO ME THAT FORD IN THE YEARS OF 94 & 94 HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT. BENA FORD IN DULUTH MN HAS SOLD UP TO 3 PER WEEK FOR THE 3.8L ENGINE FOR THE YEAR REPORTED. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO REPAIRS FORDS AND HE IS THE ONE WHO FIRST REPOR…
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THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO ME THAT FORD IN THE YEARS OF 94 & 94 HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKET BLOWING OUT. BENA FORD IN DULUTH MN HAS SOLD UP TO 3 PER WEEK FOR THE 3.8L ENGINE FOR THE YEAR REPORTED. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO REPAIRS FORDS AND HE IS THE ONE WHO FIRST REPORTED THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM TO ME. IT COULD BE A SAFETY FACTOR IF IT HAPPENS ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND CORRECTED. I CAN PROVIDED FUTHER INFORMATION IF NEEDED, I.E. NAMES. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. RALPH LARSEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707887
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
HAD PARKED VEHICLE & LEFT. RETURNEDTO VEHICLE & TRIED TO START IT & IT FAILED TO START. FINALLY GOT IT STARTED & DROVE TO DEALER. WAS INFORMED MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED REPLACING. THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN & THE STARTER WAS ERRACTIC. RECA *AK
NHTSA ODI #840858
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE ALUMINUM FORWARD PISTON CLUTCH TRANSMISSION CRACKED AND OVERHEATED. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. THERE IS TSB THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY A STEEL TRANSMISSION. DEALER ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837260
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME OF PRE-MATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, DETECTED ANTIFREEZE ON MY SPARKPLUGS, ADVISES HEAD-GASKET REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1400
NHTSA ODI #707741
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING LEAKAGE, CAUSING FAILURE TO THE TIMING COVER GASKET / INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET / THERMOSTAT / CRANKSHAFT & BEARINGS WHICH WERE REPLACED. *YC
NHTSA ODI #546189
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
ENGINE MADE ODD SOUNDS WHEN OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WAS SOLID. INFORMED BY MECHANIC ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO BURNED OUT COOLING FAN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #839879
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
1) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS VERY RAPID AND SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT, THE RESULTING ENGINE STOPPAGE AND THE THICK CLOUDS OF STEAM WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS HAZARD. 2)FORD SENT A LETTER DATED "JUNE, 1998" ADVISING OF A FREE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT IF IT OCCURRED WITHIN THE 60,000MI/5YR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD OR OF THE DEFECT HA…
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1) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS VERY RAPID AND SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT, THE RESULTING ENGINE STOPPAGE AND THE THICK CLOUDS OF STEAM WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS HAZARD. 2)FORD SENT A LETTER DATED "JUNE, 1998" ADVISING OF A FREE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT IF IT OCCURRED WITHIN THE 60,000MI/5YR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY PERIOD OR OF THE DEFECT HAPPENED REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE BY DECEMBER 31, 1998. THIS DEFECT POSES A REAL DANGER AND FORD SHOULD NOT HAVE A CUT-OFF DATE ON THE REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707579
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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