NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
352 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 13, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
BALL BEARINGS IN ENGINE FAN MOTOR, IDLER PULLEY, AND BELT TENSIONER ALL CEASE, OR SHRED INTO METAL BITS. ENGINE FAN FAILS, CAUSING OVERHEATING, PULLEY AND TENSIONER FAIL AND FALL OFF THE CAR, CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICITY, POWER STEERING AND WATER PUMP, CAUSING MORE OVERHEATING, PLUS A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE CAR. …
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BALL BEARINGS IN ENGINE FAN MOTOR, IDLER PULLEY, AND BELT TENSIONER ALL CEASE, OR SHRED INTO METAL BITS. ENGINE FAN FAILS, CAUSING OVERHEATING, PULLEY AND TENSIONER FAIL AND FALL OFF THE CAR, CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICITY, POWER STEERING AND WATER PUMP, CAUSING MORE OVERHEATING, PLUS A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110428
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A NEW RADIATOR WAS NEEDED, AND REPLACED IT. CONSUMER PAID $300.00 FOR REPLACEMENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10101855
96,000 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE COMPUTER/ COIL, AND DISTRIBUTOR REPLACED. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10099564
56,000 miles · Aug 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER FORD RECALL REPLACED HEAD GASKET DUE TO LEAKING COOLANT INTO FRONT 3 CYLINDERS OF 3.8 ENGINE, ENGINE STARTED USING OIL (QUART EVERY 600 MILES), CAUSING FRONT PLUGS TO FOUL AND BAD ENGINE PERFORMANCE. PLUGS MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 5000 MILES TO KEEP ENGINE PERFORMANCE EVEN BARELY ADEQUATE. FORD DEALERSHIP DENIES FAULT. ALL…
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AFTER FORD RECALL REPLACED HEAD GASKET DUE TO LEAKING COOLANT INTO FRONT 3 CYLINDERS OF 3.8 ENGINE, ENGINE STARTED USING OIL (QUART EVERY 600 MILES), CAUSING FRONT PLUGS TO FOUL AND BAD ENGINE PERFORMANCE. PLUGS MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 5000 MILES TO KEEP ENGINE PERFORMANCE EVEN BARELY ADEQUATE. FORD DEALERSHIP DENIES FAULT. ALL I KNOW IS THAT SOMETHING WENT WRONG AFTER GASKET WAS REPLACED. CAR NOW HAS 64000 MILES. FORD= FIX OR REPAIR DAILY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10086999
101,850 miles · Jul 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE IS OVER HEATING. MANUFACTURER IS CONDUCTING A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT INCLUDING THE COOLING FAN. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10082114
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.*MR THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE HEAD GASKET. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PERFORMING THE RECALL A BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE ENGINE. THE BOLT COULD NOT BE REMOVED, SO FORD AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EN…
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PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.*MR THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE HEAD GASKET. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PERFORMING THE RECALL A BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE ENGINE. THE BOLT COULD NOT BE REMOVED, SO FORD AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. ON MAY 9, 2004 SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL MONTHS EARLIER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT HEAD GASKET ON THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS FAILING. IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE REPALCEMENT ENGINE DID NOT HAVE A QUALITY HEAD GASKET INSTALLED.
NHTSA ODI #10081826
85,000 miles · Jun 22, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MOSTLY ON THE LEFT SIDE. THERE WERE ENGINE COMPONENTS LYING ON THE DRIVEWAY. (SOME OF THE WIRES WERE MELTED) *AK THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COOLING FAN #97V019000. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10071799
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
E-MAIL FM JAMIE PHILLIPS (TN) OPPOSED AUTO MFRS BEING ALLOWED TO HAVE SECRET WARRANTIES FOR HIDDEN DEFECTS & RECALLS, SHE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS W/ THE HEAD GASKET ON HER 1995 FORD TAURUS, REPLY TO WASH, DC OFC. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10068693
112,000 miles · Apr 14, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING MY FORD TAURUS(3.8L), THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WENT ALL THE WAY UP. UPON INVESTIGATION SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE COOLING FAN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SUNRISE FORD, WHO DENIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY WELL KNOWN RECALL (01V390)
NHTSA ODI #10066127
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR MOTOR, FAN AND FUSE ASSEMBLY PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *PH *LA
NHTSA ODI #10066606
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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