NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
923 reportsMileage unknown · May 3, 2002
Tires
WE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS COMING OFF THE SIDE OF TWO OF THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERED ME TO THERE LOCAL DEALER WHICH REPLACED THE TIRES AT NO CHARGE. I PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 8 TIRES. FOUR FOR THIS CAR AND FOUR FOR MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE. WE NOTICED THIS WEEK THAT ONE OF THE TIRES IS DOING T…
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WE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS COMING OFF THE SIDE OF TWO OF THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERED ME TO THERE LOCAL DEALER WHICH REPLACED THE TIRES AT NO CHARGE. I PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 8 TIRES. FOUR FOR THIS CAR AND FOUR FOR MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE. WE NOTICED THIS WEEK THAT ONE OF THE TIRES IS DOING THE SAME THING WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEE THE TIRE BEFORE I GET IT REPLACED SO YOU CAN EXAM IT. MY CONCERN IT THAT THE TWO CARS ARE DRIVEN DIFFERENTLY, HOWEVER NOW THE SABLE TIRES ARE SHOWING THE SAME SIDE WALL TREAD PROBLEMS. AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT NOTIFIED THE COMPANY REGARDING THE THIRD TIRE. WITH THE LAST TWO TIRE THEY WERE IDICATING THAT IS WAS THE CUSTOMERS FAULT. NOW I WONDER IF WE HAVE ANOTHER FIRESTONE ON OUR HANDS. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #761478
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, GOING TO 120 MPH. IT WENT SO LONG, WHILE HE WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES IT BLEW OUT THE MOTOR, VEHICLE CRASHED, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES.*AK *YH
NHTSA ODI #8008431
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER SPRING SNAPPED. CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN DRIVE, ENGINE REMAINED ON. HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE OF NO STEERING CAPABILITY. WHEN TENSIONER SNAPPED IT RELEASED POWER FROM POWER STEERING, ALTENATOR, WATER PUMP, A/C CONDENSER, DRIVE TRAIN. CAR WOULD HA…
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SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER SPRING SNAPPED. CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN DRIVE, ENGINE REMAINED ON. HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE OF NO STEERING CAPABILITY. WHEN TENSIONER SNAPPED IT RELEASED POWER FROM POWER STEERING, ALTENATOR, WATER PUMP, A/C CONDENSER, DRIVE TRAIN. CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE AT HIGHER SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #760610
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2002
Visibility
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759460
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET; THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE SEEN REPEAT FAILURES; FORD HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND NOW THEIR REPLACEMNETS ARE FAILING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE (43,000 MILES EACH TIME); THE REPAIR WILL COST MO…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET; THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE SEEN REPEAT FAILURES; FORD HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND NOW THEIR REPLACEMNETS ARE FAILING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE (43,000 MILES EACH TIME); THE REPAIR WILL COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH
NHTSA ODI #759068
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
GASKETS BEING USED TO REPAIR THE FAILED GASKETS ON THE 3.8L ENGINEER ARE ALSO FAILING.
NHTSA ODI #758989
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CAR BEGAN TO ENGAGE IN GEAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING. DURING THIS TIME CAR WOULD ACCELERATED RAPIDLY OR LURCH FORWARD. DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM CLUTCH PISTON HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL ONE. REBUILD AXOD-E TRANSMISSION, K FRAME BOLT EXHAQUST GASKET.
NHTSA ODI #9005456
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I'VE SUBMITTED TWO PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE FROM TWO ENTIRELY SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE HAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED LAST YEAR BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEB SITE FOR REPORTING PROBLEMS. OUR MECHANIC HAS TOLD US THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENT WITH ALL FORD 3.8 ENGINES AND FOR ALL YEARS OF MFG. FORD WAS CONTACT WITH…
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I'VE SUBMITTED TWO PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE FROM TWO ENTIRELY SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE HAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED LAST YEAR BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEB SITE FOR REPORTING PROBLEMS. OUR MECHANIC HAS TOLD US THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENT WITH ALL FORD 3.8 ENGINES AND FOR ALL YEARS OF MFG. FORD WAS CONTACT WITH HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 2000 MILES PAST WARRANTY, AND THEY ARE COVERING IT PAST THAT MILEAGE IN CANADA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #758600
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE WOULD NOT START, WHAN LAST RUNNING NOTICE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST EXCESSIVELY THICK, VERIFED CONCERN EEC TEST-FUEL PLUGS FOULED VEHICLE REQUIRED PLUGS AND DIST CAP/ROTOR TO CONTINUE DIAG-REPLACED PLUGS/CAP/ROTOR-PINPOINT CUSTOMER CONCERN TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET, REMOVED HEADS, REPLACED GASKET, TEST HEADS FOR FLA…
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ENGINE WOULD NOT START, WHAN LAST RUNNING NOTICE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST EXCESSIVELY THICK, VERIFED CONCERN EEC TEST-FUEL PLUGS FOULED VEHICLE REQUIRED PLUGS AND DIST CAP/ROTOR TO CONTINUE DIAG-REPLACED PLUGS/CAP/ROTOR-PINPOINT CUSTOMER CONCERN TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET, REMOVED HEADS, REPLACED GASKET, TEST HEADS FOR FLATNESS, REPLACE HEADS. RETEST VEHICLE 02 SENSOR AND TP SENSOR DAMAGED BY HEAD GASKET FAILURE-RECIEVED. REPLACEMENT CUSTOM DECLINED FAULTY SENSOR WILL TRIGGER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #9006335
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR FAILED TO START ON 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS,AFTER COOL DOWN CAR STARTED UP WIYH NO PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #758079
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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