NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
923 reportsMileage unknown · Dec 16, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE VIBRATED. SHE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND RUBBED ON THE TIRES. THE COIL SPRINGS AND TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS AND STRUT PLATES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 01/11/0…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE VIBRATED. SHE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND RUBBED ON THE TIRES. THE COIL SPRINGS AND TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS AND STRUT PLATES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10145468
157,000 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Electrical SystemFireInjury
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD THE CHARACTERISTICALLY OF A FORD RECALL, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE SAFETY DEFECT WAS THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING CAN FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SPARK, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THER…
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DT: CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD THE CHARACTERISTICALLY OF A FORD RECALL, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE SAFETY DEFECT WAS THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING CAN FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SPARK, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING RADIATOR ELECTRICAL MOTOR, ENGINE COOLING FAN MODULE, AND CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. SHE WAS NOT ALERTED OF ANY OF THESE RECALLS, AND SHE PAID FOR REPAIRS FOR ALL OF THEM OUT OF POCKET. ONCE SHE CONTACTED FORD, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE OUT OF DATE AND SHE COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10141272
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CONTACT STATED FORD HAD A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A LIMITATION ON THIS RECALL, SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED ON OCTOBER 19, 2005 HE NOTICED WATER COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE DETERMINED THE H…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED FORD HAD A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A LIMITATION ON THIS RECALL, SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED ON OCTOBER 19, 2005 HE NOTICED WATER COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10140459
111,000 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Suspension
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 1994 FORD TAURUS GL. THE FRONT END OF CAR WAS GOING TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE TOLD HER HE COULD NOT ALIGN THE FRONT END BECAUSE ONE OF THE BOLTS WAS MISSING. THE BOLT HAS TO DO WITH KEEPING THE CAR …
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 1994 FORD TAURUS GL. THE FRONT END OF CAR WAS GOING TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE TOLD HER HE COULD NOT ALIGN THE FRONT END BECAUSE ONE OF THE BOLTS WAS MISSING. THE BOLT HAS TO DO WITH KEEPING THE CAR STRAIGHT. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE TWO OF THE BOLTS. RECALL 98V323000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS ITEM. SHE CALLED FORD, AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10138916
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2005
Exterior Lighting
DT: NOTICED ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS RECALL 98V009000, FOR THE SAME THING. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THERE NO FOREWARNING AND NO NOISE. CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAID THE VEHI…
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DT: NOTICED ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS RECALL 98V009000, FOR THE SAME THING. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THERE NO FOREWARNING AND NO NOISE. CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, AND L THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT FIXED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10138660
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2005
Power Train
DT: 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH SOMEONE HAD REAR ENDED IT. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT KICKED INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND WAS DETERMINED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMAT…
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DT: 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH SOMEONE HAD REAR ENDED IT. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT KICKED INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND WAS DETERMINED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC CLUTCH PISTON. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED FORD, THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND THE MIDDLE OF JULY. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE THEN. IT OCCURRED AT LEAST 12 TIMES. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10131135
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: THE VEHICLE BEGAN PERFORMING POORLY THEN STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE ARRIVED BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. *AK *NM THE VEHICLE WAS ACTING SLUGGISH PRIOR TO THE FIRE
NHTSA ODI #10125882
140,000 miles · Jul 13, 2005
StructureInjury
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE. RECALL # 98V323000. THE WASHER CORRODED. THE CONSUMER SAID THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THE CONSUMERS WIFE HIT HER HEAD BUT SHE WAS NOT HURT VERY BAD. DEALER STATED IT WAS THE RECALL PROBLEM BUT THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS NOT THE RE…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE. RECALL # 98V323000. THE WASHER CORRODED. THE CONSUMER SAID THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THE CONSUMERS WIFE HIT HER HEAD BUT SHE WAS NOT HURT VERY BAD. DEALER STATED IT WAS THE RECALL PROBLEM BUT THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS NOT THE RECALL. DEALER WILL NOT FIX IT WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION FROM MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10128553
9,524 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE DYING. THE ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, AND THE NEW ENGINE ALSO BLEW OUT AT 97,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING A FLUCTUATION IN TEMPERATURE. THEN , FORD WAS CONTACTED, AND FORD SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10126672
105,000 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: WITHOUT WARNING CALLER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND RACING OF ENGINE. WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. CALLER TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STILL ACCELERATED. CALLER GOT UNDER HOOD AND PLAYED WITH THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. AFTER THAT IT WORKED OKAY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED YET. MANUFACT…
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DT: WITHOUT WARNING CALLER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND RACING OF ENGINE. WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. CALLER TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STILL ACCELERATED. CALLER GOT UNDER HOOD AND PLAYED WITH THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. AFTER THAT IT WORKED OKAY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED YET. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF SUCH A THING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10124087
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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