Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 119 of 1,205 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 394 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 352 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
60 crash reports53 fire reports48 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,205 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 1999
Power Train
THE ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED AT 38,000 MILES. THE NEW SPEEDOMETER BECAME DEFECTIVE (BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, INACCURATE, FINALLY, INSERVICEABLE) WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 35,000 ON IT. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECT TO THE DEALER, FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND HAVE WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD. ALL REPLIES WERE NEGATIVE. SINCE M…
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THE ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED AT 38,000 MILES. THE NEW SPEEDOMETER BECAME DEFECTIVE (BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, INACCURATE, FINALLY, INSERVICEABLE) WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 35,000 ON IT. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECT TO THE DEALER, FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND HAVE WRITTEN TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD. ALL REPLIES WERE NEGATIVE. SINCE MY COMPLAINT TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD, THE PART HAS GONE UP FROM $250 TO $500 (IN A MATTER OF 3-4 MONTHS).
NHTSA ODI #712114
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Unknown Or Other
SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT 35000 MILES FAILED AGAIN AT 56000 MILES. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 94 OTHER RECORDS OF SPEEDOMETER FAILURES ON LINE. THIS REPRESENTS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER DUE TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE BY THE OPERATOR OF HIS SPEED WHICH MAY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO ANY FURTHER ACTION WHICH…
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SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT 35000 MILES FAILED AGAIN AT 56000 MILES. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 94 OTHER RECORDS OF SPEEDOMETER FAILURES ON LINE. THIS REPRESENTS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER DUE TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE BY THE OPERATOR OF HIS SPEED WHICH MAY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO ANY FURTHER ACTION WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN TO HAVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL THIS SPEEDOMETER AND REPLACE IT WITH ONE WHICH WILL WORK PROPERLY. THIS SHOULD BE DONE AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CUSTOMER. I HAVE ALREADY ASKED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO REPLACE THIS SPEEDOMETER DUE TO MULTIPLE FAILURES, BUT THEY REFUSED IN A LETTER DATED 07/09/1999. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN CORRECTING THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #711940
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848423
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH SPEEDOMETER GOES UP TO ABOUT 80 TO 85MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ONE DOESN'T KNOW HOW FAST VEHICLE IS GOING. SPEEDOMETER ARM BOUNCES BETWEEN 65 AND 85 MPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848406
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Power Train
WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS AND ENTERING ON AND OFF HIGHWAYS, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #845994
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Electrical System
WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 90 DEGREES THE ENGINE QUITS CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING THUS MAKING THE STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.THE ENGINE WILL NOT START UNTILL THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN (WITH THE HOOD UP) FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. A DEA…
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WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 90 DEGREES THE ENGINE QUITS CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING THUS MAKING THE STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.THE ENGINE WILL NOT START UNTILL THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN (WITH THE HOOD UP) FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. A DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE ONE TIME BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
NHTSA ODI #711803
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1999
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER JUMPS ERRATICALLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER 3 TIMES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848127
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Visibility
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE WIPERS WEREN'T WORKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847963
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Structure
POWER LOCKS MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOOR IF SWITCH IS HELD DOWN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN EVENT OF CRASH AND UNCONSOUS OR TRAPPED PERSON IS ON LOCK, OR NI THE EVENT OF SHORT CIRCUT SWITCH FAILURE. ONLY OPTION WOULD BE TO BREAK WINDOW. COMMON SENSE SAFETY DESIGN : DOOR HANDLE SHOULD ALWAYS OVERRIDE DOOR LOCK
NHTSA ODI #711509
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE WOULD QUIT RUNNING DUE TO MISSING PAR T IN ENGINE. THE MODULATOR HAD GONE BAD. THIS CUTS OFF FUEL TO FUEL PUMP. THE GAS TANK HAD SMOKE COMING OUT. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *AK
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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