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: 10 of 121 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 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
121 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
AT 50,000 MILES, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING. REPAIRS TOTALLED$2700. THE REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE ABS INDICATOR RING, WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, BLOWER CONTROLLER,DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR,HEAD GASKET, VALVE COVER, OXYGEN SENSORS & OIL PAN. THE MOST COSTLY REPAIRS INVOLVED THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE WHERE THE 4TH CYLINDER WAS LEAKING…
Read full complaint
AT 50,000 MILES, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING. REPAIRS TOTALLED$2700. THE REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE ABS INDICATOR RING, WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, BLOWER CONTROLLER,DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR,HEAD GASKET, VALVE COVER, OXYGEN SENSORS & OIL PAN. THE MOST COSTLY REPAIRS INVOLVED THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE WHERE THE 4TH CYLINDER WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. THE FIRST SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAR ON 11/30/99 WHEN THE HEAD GASKET ISSUE WAS DETECTED. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TWO TIMES AND REQUIRED THREE ADDITIONAL VISITS TO THE GARAGE TO COMPLETE THE WORK. TO THIS DAY, THE CAR STILL IDLES ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PERIODIACALLY....INDICATING MORE THAN LIKELY, MORE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721123
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED AT CONSUMERS COST. WANTED REIMBURSEMENT. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER AT FIRST BECAUSE VIN# DIDN'T MATCH RECALL, BUT FORD REP ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME ENGINE AND REIMBURSED FOR HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #859736
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
BECAUSE MY CAR IS A93 MODEL FORD WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS KNOWING THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721051
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720456
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE STREET AT 10-15 MPH NOTICED SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. DROVE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. REPAIRS WERE MADE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858599
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER EXPIERENCED PROBLEM WITH BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #858209
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN CONSUMER IS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND CAR WILL SUDDENLY ACCELLERATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858102
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF COOLANT. TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND WAS INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #858048
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2000
Air BagsSuspension
CONSTANT THUMPING NOISE FROM FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION [ LIKE SHOCKS BOTTOMING] DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. AIR BAG RIDE SYSTEM CONSTANTLY AT LOWEST POINT CAR CAN REST AFTER SITTING MORE THAN ONE HOUR. TAKES 4 OR 5 MINUTES TO REINFLATE AGAIN DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719665
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAD HEAD GASKET REPAIRED ON ENGINE THAT FORD MOTROR COMPANY KNOWS HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE ENGINES INCEPTION. REPAIRS OVER $2100.00. *AK
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: 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.
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.
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
5
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
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
1993 Lincoln Continental Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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