NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,205 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 24, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WITH COOLANT AND OIL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE. *AK THE MOTOR MOUNT CRACKED AND RUINED THE A/C. INTAKE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTANTLY DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE…
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HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WITH COOLANT AND OIL COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE. *AK THE MOTOR MOUNT CRACKED AND RUINED THE A/C. INTAKE WAS LEAKING COOLANT. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTANTLY DUE TO SENSOR FAILURE. BRAKES MAKE NOISE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #898181
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO MOTOR MOUNTS BEING BROKEN.*AK CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER HAS RECALL ON STRUCTURE, CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE MOUNTS ARE APART OF THIS STYSTEM.*SLC
NHTSA ODI #897740
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2001
Tires
ON 10.12.2000, WHILE DRIVING ON THE H-1 VIADUCT TO ENTER THE MAIN FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING BEGAN TO PULL STRONGLY TO THE LEFT. I GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN HEARD A NOISE WHICH SOUND LIKE THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN A TIRE. I PROCEEDED ON TO TRY AND REACH A SERVICE STATION, WHEN WITHIN A HALF MILE OR SO, THE RI…
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ON 10.12.2000, WHILE DRIVING ON THE H-1 VIADUCT TO ENTER THE MAIN FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING BEGAN TO PULL STRONGLY TO THE LEFT. I GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN HEARD A NOISE WHICH SOUND LIKE THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN A TIRE. I PROCEEDED ON TO TRY AND REACH A SERVICE STATION, WHEN WITHIN A HALF MILE OR SO, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON THE VEHICLE BLEW OUT. THE SOUND OF THE BLOWOUT WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT. THE IMPACT OF THE BLOWOUT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO STUN ME MOMENTARILY. WHEN I GAINED CONTROL, I PROCEDED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I CONTACTED AAA AND NOTED THAT THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES RIGHT FRONT AND SIDE PANEL. MY ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS THROUGH MICHELIN WAS TO NO AVAIL, THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT LIABILITY. I HAVE THE REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THEM, PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE AND THE TIRE ITSELF AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. ALL TIRE "EXPERTS" HERE IN HONOLULU ARE ASTONISHED BY THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND NONE BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A RESULT OF MY RUNNING OVER AN OBJECT. ANY ASSISTANCE YOUR OFFICE COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I CONSIDER THE TIRES UNSAFE AND AM APPALLED THAT MICHELIN WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND REPLACEMENT TIRES HAS BEEN PROVIDED. THANK YOU AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME (H) 808-836-6826 OR (C)808-754-3070. *AK (TIRESIZE: 205/65R15)
NHTSA ODI #753260
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
Electrical SystemPower Train
ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, INSPECTION MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP FAILED. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED ON THREE OCCASIONS, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE TRANMSISSION WENT OUT AFTER PLACING IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND T…
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ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, INSPECTION MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP FAILED. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS REPLACED ON THREE OCCASIONS, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE TRANMSISSION WENT OUT AFTER PLACING IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED TO KEEP FROM HAVING AN ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #897659
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING ANIT-FREEZE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #897658
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE BEGINS JUMPING SPORADICALLY AND CAUSES A WHIRLING NOISE, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FIRST REPLACED AT 26000 MILES, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE SPEEDOMETER TWICE AND CURRENTLY NEEDS A NEW ONE, AND IS REQUESTING THAT MANUFACTURER PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANT…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE BEGINS JUMPING SPORADICALLY AND CAUSES A WHIRLING NOISE, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FIRST REPLACED AT 26000 MILES, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE SPEEDOMETER TWICE AND CURRENTLY NEEDS A NEW ONE, AND IS REQUESTING THAT MANUFACTURER PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #563673
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ELECTRICALLY OPERATED ENGINE RADIATOR COOLANT FAN ONLY COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY (SHORT_CYCLES). CAR GETS HOT. I'M FORCED TO RUN THE A/C WHENEVER I'M DRIVING TO AVOID ENGINE COOLANT OVERHEATING. RUNNING THE A/C WILL MAKE THE FAN RUN, BUT IF I SHUT THE A/C OFF, THEN THE FAN GOES BACK TO SHORT CYCLING. I KNOW OTHERS WHO HAVE REL…
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ELECTRICALLY OPERATED ENGINE RADIATOR COOLANT FAN ONLY COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY (SHORT_CYCLES). CAR GETS HOT. I'M FORCED TO RUN THE A/C WHENEVER I'M DRIVING TO AVOID ENGINE COOLANT OVERHEATING. RUNNING THE A/C WILL MAKE THE FAN RUN, BUT IF I SHUT THE A/C OFF, THEN THE FAN GOES BACK TO SHORT CYCLING. I KNOW OTHERS WHO HAVE RELATED THE SAME STORY. CAN YOU HELP? THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #752860
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. *YH
NHTSA ODI #563609
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN HOT WEATHER VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND VEHICLE WILLNOT RESTART. IT TAKES A COOLING OFF PERIOD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #897147
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON WEBSITE, AND CALLED DEALER ABOUT BULLETIN DATES OF BULLETIN 3/98, SERVICE BULLETIN#9849, SB601270. CONSUMER STATED BULLETIN WAS ABOUT HEAD GASKETS. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FORD EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE STATED THIS WAS NOT A RECALL, IT WAS JUST AN OWNER'…
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CONSUMER FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON WEBSITE, AND CALLED DEALER ABOUT BULLETIN DATES OF BULLETIN 3/98, SERVICE BULLETIN#9849, SB601270. CONSUMER STATED BULLETIN WAS ABOUT HEAD GASKETS. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FORD EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE STATED THIS WAS NOT A RECALL, IT WAS JUST AN OWNER'S NOTIFICATION PROGRAM. DEALER CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS OVER 100000 MILES, BUT UNDER 7 YEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #896898
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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