NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
352 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 15, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureVehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS LOSING WATER AND ANTIFREEZE AND ON OCCASION IS RUNNING HOT AND MISSING. CONSUMER RECEVIED RECALL NOTICE RELATING TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. HOWEVER, WHEN DIAGNOSED BY DEALERSHIP, DEALER CLAIMED COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. CONSUMER'S PERSONAL MECHANIC FOUND WATER AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING DOWN ONTO …
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CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS LOSING WATER AND ANTIFREEZE AND ON OCCASION IS RUNNING HOT AND MISSING. CONSUMER RECEVIED RECALL NOTICE RELATING TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. HOWEVER, WHEN DIAGNOSED BY DEALERSHIP, DEALER CLAIMED COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. CONSUMER'S PERSONAL MECHANIC FOUND WATER AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING DOWN ONTO THE PISTONS AND RUSTING THE SPARK PLUGS, AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE HEAD GASKETS, IT WAS REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #564363
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND HE SMELLED SMOKE COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. NLM THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #8004032
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS COOLING FAN. THEN, VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE WICH DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003913
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
UPON STARTING VEHICLE FIRE BROKE OUT IN ENGINE. HOWEVER THERE WAS RECALL 97 V 019/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS 000, 14673/ 01 1 011 000/ 14660 01 CONCERNING ENGINE FAN BEARINGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003892
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, AND TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8003838
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH ENGINE BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ALSO ALMOST EVERYTHING WAS DOWN, CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER STATED THERE IS A RECALL HOWEVER CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. VEHICLE WAS 29 DAYS OVER THE 7 YEAR WARRANTY. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #8003594
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ANOTHER 1995 FORD TAURUS, 3.8L ENGINE BLOWS A HEAD GASKET, MISSED THE SO CALLED EXTENDED WARRANTY BY 3 MONTHS, WHAT A SHAME, A MINIMUM OF 1,200 TO 1,500 DOLLARS, OH WELL. ANOTHER POOR SUCKER PAYING FOR FORDS ENGINEERING. AM I JUST UNLUCKY OR DOES FORD HAVE IT FIGURED OUT WHEN THIS ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW? WELL I'M FURIOUS THAT I…
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ANOTHER 1995 FORD TAURUS, 3.8L ENGINE BLOWS A HEAD GASKET, MISSED THE SO CALLED EXTENDED WARRANTY BY 3 MONTHS, WHAT A SHAME, A MINIMUM OF 1,200 TO 1,500 DOLLARS, OH WELL. ANOTHER POOR SUCKER PAYING FOR FORDS ENGINEERING. AM I JUST UNLUCKY OR DOES FORD HAVE IT FIGURED OUT WHEN THIS ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW? WELL I'M FURIOUS THAT I HAVE TO TAKE A SECOND LOAN TO REPAIR THIS CAR, THE FIRST LOAN WAS TO BUY THIS CAR. *AK *TR
NHTSA ODI #757629
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
GOT RECALL NOTICE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO GET RECALL REPAIRED, BUT DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE PARTS, EXCEPT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, PREVIOUSLY. CALLED DEALER, AND TOLD ABOUT REPAIRS. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO BRING VEHICLE IN ANYWAY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003197
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA RECALL 01 V 390 000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01S30 CONCERNING ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING. DEALER JOHNSON FORD; KINGSTON, NY; PHONE 845/338-7800, EXT 642 UNABLE TO HONOR RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8002926
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STILL OVERHEATS AFTER REPLACING ENGINE. AS SOON AS TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVED IN THE RED, PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO COOL OFF. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8002855
Official recalls
5Dec 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Dec 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.
Oct 11, 1994
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
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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