TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA ODI #10543524
123,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED THE CAR IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE. I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SOMETHING HOT OR SHORTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BACKED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE NEXT DAY, I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND NO LONGER NOTICED THE SMELL. I DROVE IT AND THERE …
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ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED THE CAR IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE. I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SOMETHING HOT OR SHORTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I BACKED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE NEXT DAY, I RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND NO LONGER NOTICED THE SMELL. I DROVE IT AND THERE WAS NO MORE ODOR. THE SPEED CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE, AND THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ON THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE 3 AMP FUSE IN THE WIRNG HARNESS WAS BLOWN, BUT ONLY AFTER COMING CLOSE TO STARTING A FIRE. FORD HAS A HISTORY OF SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ON THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSING FIRES. THIS CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2007 TO INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS WITH A 3 AMP FUSE BETWEEN THE SWITCH AND THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO WHERE IT OFFERED NO PROTECTION. THE CAR WAS RECALLED AGAIN IN 2008 TO REPLACE THE FIRST WIRING HARNESS WITH ONE HAVING THE FUSE AHEAD OF THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE 3 AMP FUSE IN SERIES WITH THE 15 AMP FUSE IS FAR LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE A FIRE THAN HAVING ONLY THE 15 AMP FUSE. NEVERTHELESS, I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING A MAJOR FIRE IN OUR HOME WHILE WE WERE INSIDE HAD I NOT NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE 3 AMP FUSE DID ITS JOB, BUT THERE WAS ENOUGH BRAKE FLUID AND HEAT TO POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE LEAKING SWITCH AND THE FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THEY CHARGED ME $177.03 FOR THE REPAIR. FORD HAS RECALLED ABOUT 10 MILLION VEHICLES TO ADD THE FUSE, BUT I AM CONVINCED THAT THE DESIGN IS STILL UNSAFE BECAUSE 3 AMPS COULD STILL IGNITE BRAKE FLUID, I HOPE THIS NOTE MAY SAVE OTHERS FROM SERIOUS PROBLEMS, AS MORE OF THESE PRESSURE SWITCHES WILL FAIL WITH AGE AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID ON THE CONTINUOUSLY ENERGIZED WIRING HARNESS. THE 3 AMP FUSES MAY NOT ALWAYS BLOW SOON ENOUGH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512215
60,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlVisibility
OUTER TIE RODS GONE BAD AT 80,000KM SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AT 60,000KM FRONT POWER WINDOWS GONE BAD AT 90,000KM I ONLY HAVE 96,000KM ON MY 1995 FORD TAURUS SE ITS NOW 2009. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277215
56,000 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER WORKS UP TO SPEEDS OF 45. ANYTHING ABOVE THAT THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE JUMPS AROUND AND MAKES A CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE. I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET FOR THIS. LOOKED ONLINE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND THAT EVERYONE HAS THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10164292
100,000 miles · Feb 17, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED. IT FAILED PREVIOUSLY ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND WAS REPAIRED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT COVERED THE SPEEDOMETER WITH PAPER. THIS MADE THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE NOT VIEWABLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED. IT FAILED PREVIOUSLY ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND WAS REPAIRED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT COVERED THE SPEEDOMETER WITH PAPER. THIS MADE THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE NOT VIEWABLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES NOT DISTRACT THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION AND THERE ARE NO PLANS TO MAKE REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #10150498
82,000 miles · Feb 8, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER FLUCUATED BACK AND FORTH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111061
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SPEEDOMETER WAVERED. SO THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW HOW FAST HE WAS GOING . TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD . HE WAS TOLD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. HOWEVER, THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAD BEEN REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073692
32,000 miles · May 5, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER OPERATES ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS GOING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10072186
23,500 miles · Dec 2, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER SHOWS THE ACTUAL SPEED DRIVEN, NEEDLE JUMPS AROUND. COMPONENT WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP.*AK *PH
NHTSA ODI #10040256
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH THE NEEDLE STARTS JUMPING AROUND AND MAKES A BUZZING SOUND. *LA
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
4
RQ99017 · 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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