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: 14 of 423 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 171 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
423 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
PROBLEM WITH ENGINE HESITATION/ LOSS OF COOLANT AND OVERHEATING WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT 3.8L ENGINE EXPERIENCED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE AN…
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PROBLEM WITH ENGINE HESITATION/ LOSS OF COOLANT AND OVERHEATING WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT 3.8L ENGINE EXPERIENCED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876473
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CAR HESITATES WHEN GAS IS MASHED WHICH COULD, CAUSE AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI #737756
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
94+UP 3.8'S REPAIRED FOR FREE BUT NOT 93 AND DOWN! SAME ENGINE WHY NOT SAME SOLUTION? *AK
NHTSA ODI #737689
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #737489
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT REGULAR SPEED AND VEHICLE STALLED. COOLIANT WAS RUNNING VERY LOW. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT HEAD GASKET BROKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875986
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BROUGHT THE CAR USED WITH APPROXIMATLY 73,000 MI. AFTER PUTTING ON ONLY ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE CRANKSHAFT SNAPPED. FURTHERER INVESTIGATION REVIELED A PREVIOUS BLOWN HEAD GASKET REPAIR. COOLANT CONTAMINATION OF THE CRANKCASE WHEN A HEAD GASKET BLOWS OFTEN TIMES RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE. I'VE CO…
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I BROUGHT THE CAR USED WITH APPROXIMATLY 73,000 MI. AFTER PUTTING ON ONLY ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE CRANKSHAFT SNAPPED. FURTHERER INVESTIGATION REVIELED A PREVIOUS BLOWN HEAD GASKET REPAIR. COOLANT CONTAMINATION OF THE CRANKCASE WHEN A HEAD GASKET BLOWS OFTEN TIMES RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE. I'VE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE PLAYING DUMB. THE 1993 THUNDERBIRD SC 3.8 LITER ENGINE IS THE EXACTLY THE SAME ENGINE AS IN THE 1994, 1995 THUNDERBIRDS. WHAT GIVES? I'M BUMMED THAT FORD IS NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING.
NHTSA ODI #737134
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL START FLICKERING, THEN THEY GO OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875748
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT AROUND 95,000 MILES PAID REPAIR SHOP $1700+ TO REPLAIN THE HEADS AND REPLACE THE GASKET. RECENTLY FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS 3.8L ENGINE AND FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED ENGINE STILL RUNNING POORLY AND COOLENT LEVELS STILL DROPING. WHITE CLOUD OF SMOKE WHEN ENGINE IS STA…
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HEAD GASKET FAILED AT AROUND 95,000 MILES PAID REPAIR SHOP $1700+ TO REPLAIN THE HEADS AND REPLACE THE GASKET. RECENTLY FOUND OUT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS 3.8L ENGINE AND FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. PROBLEM STILL NOT FIXED ENGINE STILL RUNNING POORLY AND COOLENT LEVELS STILL DROPING. WHITE CLOUD OF SMOKE WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #737105
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
THERE IS A REGIONAL RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM NHTSA RECALL 97V159 AND FORD RECALL 97S84. THE RECALL WAS LIMITED TO NORTHERN STATES AND IS NOT COVERING MY CAR THAT IS REGISTERED IN GEORGIA. WHY IS THIS ONLY A RECALL ONLY FOR THE NORTHERN STATES IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN THE SAME MODELS IN OTHER AREAS. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOG LIGHTS, IN WHICH THE HEADLIGHTS MAY GO OUT FOR VARIOUS INTERVALS AND WHICH MAY BE PRECEDED BY FLICKERING OR BLINKING AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH WHICH INCORPORATES A CIRCUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN, AND INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, IF NEEDED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WEST VIRGINIA. MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES CAUSES THE NYLON FUEL LINE JUMPER TO CHAFE AGAINST THE FLOOR PAN. THIS WEAR CAN CAUSE A PIN HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS FUEL LEAKAGE RESULTS IN DAMPNESS AND FUEL ODOR, AND IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WAS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLASTIC CONVOLUTE COVERING AROUND THE FUEL LINES. IF THE LINES SHOW A LEAK, THE LINES WILL BE REPLACED FIRST.
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