NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
73 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON 01/12/02 I WAS DRIVING 130 MILES EAST OF LOS ANGELES,I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING BELOW NORMAL ON THE TEMPERATURE, TEN MINUTES LATER I HEAR A BEEPING SOUND FROM THE DASH AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS RUNNIG HOT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED BACK TO TORRANCE, CA. THE MECHANIC TELLS THAT I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THAT IT,S PRETTY…
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ON 01/12/02 I WAS DRIVING 130 MILES EAST OF LOS ANGELES,I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING BELOW NORMAL ON THE TEMPERATURE, TEN MINUTES LATER I HEAR A BEEPING SOUND FROM THE DASH AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS RUNNIG HOT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED BACK TO TORRANCE, CA. THE MECHANIC TELLS THAT I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THAT IT,S PRETTY COMMON ON THE FORD 3.8 SIX CYLINDER ENGINES.I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 1993 CONTINENTAL HAD NO RECALLS ON MY ENGINE. BUT IT'S NOT THE MODLE OF THE CAR BUT THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ME ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM.AFTER GOING ON THE INTER-NET I'VE FOUND A LOT OF FORD MODELS OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.I THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON ALL OF THESE ENGINES. THANK YOU MR. GARY STUART. *AK
NHTSA ODI #756913
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER REPORTED TO DEALER ON DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #897926
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
THE DESCRIBED VEHICLE EVIDENTLY HAD A WATER PUMP GO OUT. THE VEHICLE GAUGE NEVER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS HOT, SO THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND QUIT RUNNING. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 70, WE LOST BRAKING AND STEERING CAPACITY AND WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE TO BRAKE OR MANEUVER AGGRESIVELY. THERE W…
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THE DESCRIBED VEHICLE EVIDENTLY HAD A WATER PUMP GO OUT. THE VEHICLE GAUGE NEVER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS HOT, SO THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND QUIT RUNNING. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 70, WE LOST BRAKING AND STEERING CAPACITY AND WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE TO BRAKE OR MANEUVER AGGRESIVELY. THERE WERE 4 PERSONS IN THE VEHICLE WHO CAN ATTEST THAT THE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #751797
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 40,217 MILES WHICH REQUIRES COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, CONSUMER REQUESTS THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH COVERED HEAD GASKETS THAT WERE DEFECTIVE FOR THE 1994-1995 MODELS INCLUDE THE 1993 MODEL AS WELL. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #561488
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS KNOWN PROBLEM IS OUTRAGEOUS AND FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT I HAVE WRITTEN THEM AND NO HELP FROM THEM .NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744544
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE HAD A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR AND HEAD GASKET ASSEMBLY WHICH THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF, THE DAMAGED GASKETS WERE REPLACED IN 1997 WITH THE SAME STYLE GASKETS AS THE ORIGINAL ILL DESIGNED GASKET WHICH EVENTUALLY FAILED AGAIN. NLM
NHTSA ODI #560086
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 3.8 LITER ENGINE AT ONLY 42,000 MILES, CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE WHICH ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED IN THE RECALL. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #881393
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWNOUT PREMATURELY TWICE. FORD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE SECOND TIME OF THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, THE ENGINE WAS ALSO RUINED, CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR SECOND REPAIR. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #881341
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT 28,835 MILES HEAD GASKET FAILED ,CAUSING NO- HEAT IN VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. *AK THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM BUT HAD NOTHING TO CORRECT IT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #881000
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE NOT HEATING, COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF HEATER, AND VEHICLE THREATENED TO STALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND A TSB WAS FOUND ON BLOWN GASKETS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED GOLD WARRANTY ISSUED IN 1998 FOR LINCOLN, CONTINENTALS 1993- 1995. REPAIRMEN CALLED TO SEE IF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED, ONLY 1994-1995 …
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VEHICLE NOT HEATING, COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF HEATER, AND VEHICLE THREATENED TO STALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND A TSB WAS FOUND ON BLOWN GASKETS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED GOLD WARRANTY ISSUED IN 1998 FOR LINCOLN, CONTINENTALS 1993- 1995. REPAIRMEN CALLED TO SEE IF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED, ONLY 1994-1995 WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE, 1993 VEHICLES WEREN'T COVERED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE: DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED MIRROR FAILED, 02 SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET REPLACED, OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS REPLACED, LEFT FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE REPLACED, VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED, SUSPENSION PUMP REPLACED, RESERVE TANK REPLACED, RIGHT AND LEFT AIR BAGS REPLACED, SHOCKS REPLACED, DISTRIBUTOR CAP REPLACED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, LEFT DOOR ACTUATOR REPLACED, BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER REPLACED, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, MACHINED ROTORS, REPLACED REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER REPLACED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS REPLACED, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, AND FROM THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE DEALER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #880473
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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.
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
5EA96024 · 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
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.
DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
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