NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
84 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
1. RADIATOR - FAILED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT IN PLASTIC TO ALUMINUM CORE JOINT, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT, REPLACEMENT FAILED WITHIN ONE DAY. REPLACEMENT FOR THAT ONE LASTED ONLY ABOUT 20,000 ADDITIONAL MILES, SO A TOTAL OF THREE IDENTICAL RADIATOR FAILURES WITH LOSS OF COOLANT IN ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON THE SAME CAR. SAME PROBLEM O…
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1. RADIATOR - FAILED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT IN PLASTIC TO ALUMINUM CORE JOINT, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT, REPLACEMENT FAILED WITHIN ONE DAY. REPLACEMENT FOR THAT ONE LASTED ONLY ABOUT 20,000 ADDITIONAL MILES, SO A TOTAL OF THREE IDENTICAL RADIATOR FAILURES WITH LOSS OF COOLANT IN ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON THE SAME CAR. SAME PROBLEM ON SON'S 1995 TAURUS SEDAN WITH SAME ENGINE. ORIGINAL RADIATOR FAILED, REPLACEMENT FAILED WITHIN 1,000 MILES OF INSTALLATION. THIS EXPERIENCE SEEMS TO INDICATE A FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TAURUS RADIATOR. 2. BRAKE FAILURE. DEFECT IN DESIGN OF REAR CALIPERS USED WITH ABS SYSTEM ON THE TAURUS RESULTS IN RAINWATER INTRUSION CAUSING RUSTING OF CALIPER PINS THAT THEN IMPEDES PROPER RETRACTION OF THE BRAKE PADS. EXCESSIVE PAD WEAR RESULTS IN METAL TO METAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE CALIPER PISTON AND THE PAD BACKING PLATE WITH GREATLY REDUCED BRAKING EFFICIENCY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719252
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719075
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKES ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AND DEALER DECIDED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. GREASED THE REAR CALIPERS AND ADJUSTED BRAKES. NO PROBLEM NOW. *AJK
NHTSA ODI #851227
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
WHEN DRIIVNG AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES ARE GOING HALF WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, MOTOR MOUNTS WENT OUT/ AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED, AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE STALLING, CUTTING OFF AND SHIFTING HARD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE T…
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WHEN DRIIVNG AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES ARE GOING HALF WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. ALSO, MOTOR MOUNTS WENT OUT/ AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED, AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE STALLING, CUTTING OFF AND SHIFTING HARD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE THREE TIMES AND, THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851042
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
MISALIGNED HEAD LAMPS/FRONT&REAR DOOR/TAILGATE DOOR/HOOD. YOU CAN HEAR GAS IN TANK MOVING AROUND
NHTSA ODI #712680
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND THE BRAKES BEGIN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY.DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848775
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
BRAKE SYSTEM EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT FAILURE. MJS
NHTSA ODI #548340
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCLERATED TO 90 MPH IN SECONDS. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE INOPERATIVE. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER SAID IT MIGHT BE THE PASSING GEAR OR A VACCUM HOSE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN CLOGGED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844520
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
UPON ENCOUNTERING ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #843783
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CLOCK FAILED. MJS
NHTSA ODI #547177
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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