NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
121 reportsMileage unknown · Feb 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2000 FORD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE FOR OWNERS OF 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTIALS, 1995 FORD WINDSTARS, AND 1994-1995 FORD TAURUSES AND MERCURY SABLES. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHOSE HEAD GASKETS FAILED DURING A NEW WARRANTY PERIOD OF 7 YEARS AND 100,000 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND OF THEIR REPAIR BILLS. I HAD…
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ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2000 FORD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE FOR OWNERS OF 1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTIALS, 1995 FORD WINDSTARS, AND 1994-1995 FORD TAURUSES AND MERCURY SABLES. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WHOSE HEAD GASKETS FAILED DURING A NEW WARRANTY PERIOD OF 7 YEARS AND 100,000 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND OF THEIR REPAIR BILLS. I HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTIAL BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHAT FACTORS DETERMINED WHO WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS REFUND? I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND AGAIN THEY REFUSE TO EXPLAIN WHY I AM NOT ELIGIBLE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SAME ENGINE AND THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY CONTINUE TO ADVERTISE THAT "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY" WHICH IS TOTALLY FALSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719440
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2000
Exterior Lighting
RECALL 98V009000, HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE IN USE, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPAIRRED THE RECALL, BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IN COLD WEATHER THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857190
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
AT 40,217 MILES ON MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MY " ENGINE CHECK LIGHT" COME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET AND HAD TO REPLACE MY 3.8L ENGINE. I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 40,000 MILES. TO DATE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SAT…
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AT 40,217 MILES ON MY 1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MY " ENGINE CHECK LIGHT" COME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET AND HAD TO REPLACE MY 3.8L ENGINE. I CONTACTED FORD TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 40,000 MILES. TO DATE, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY ANSWER, ONLY A LOT OF SYMPATHETIC WORDS AND "I AM SORRY MR. BLAIR WE WILL NOT TELL YOU ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS ENGINE AND SINCE YOUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY WE CONSIDER THIS MATTER CLOSED." ON SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT HOW I CAN RESOLVE MY COMPLAINT I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PREMATURE 3.8L ENGINE FAILURES. CAN YOU HELP ME RESOLVE MY CONCERNS WITH FORD? WHAT IS THE PROCESS ON ORGANIZING A POSSIBLE CLASS ACTION SUIT ?*AK
NHTSA ODI #718649
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED AT LOW MILEAGE, SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE CONSUMERS. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550835
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
REPAIRS PAST 8 MONTHS: HEAD GASKET, REAR BRAKES, POWER STEERING SYSTEM, REAR AIR BAGS, SPEED SENSOR (3X), TO NAME A FEW. PENDING REPAIRS: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (DASH), REAR DOOR ACTUATOR, CHIPPING BUMPER PAINT, TRANSMISSION SLUGGISH.
NHTSA ODI #717645
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUTON A METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED VEHICLE. IT WAS A COSTLY REPAIR. SO I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT HAD OCCURRED IN OTHER '93 LINCOLNS, AND HE STATED THAT, WHILE IT WAS UNFORTUNATE, IT SEEMED TO BE UNIQUE TO MY CAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #717155
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED, FORD RECALLED 1994 AND UP MODEL BUT NOT 1993 EVENTHOUGH IT HAS THE EXACT SAME ENGINE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #558612
Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BROBLEM @55000 MILE IT WILL COST ME 1200.00$. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716416
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN VEHICLE IS ON IT'S SLOW TO ACCELERATE, AND NO HEAT COMES OUT AFTER CAR WARMS UP. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THE COST IS TOO MUCH TO HAVE IT FIXED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853763
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1999
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL CONSUMER JIGGLES THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. OWNER WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 98V09000 FORD/HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER.ALSO HIGH/LOW BE…
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THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT COME BACK ON UNTIL CONSUMER JIGGLES THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. OWNER WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER THAT VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 98V09000 FORD/HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER.ALSO HIGH/LOW BEAM NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND OCCASIONAL PROBLEM WITH SIGNAL LIGHTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852556
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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