NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
85 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE, HOWEVER ON A SEPARATE OCCASSION, CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY, JUST AS SHE WAS TURNING INTO DEALERSHIP THE OVERHEATING WARNING BEGAN TO SOUND, UPON I…
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CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE, HOWEVER ON A SEPARATE OCCASSION, CONSUMER WAS ON HER WAY TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY, JUST AS SHE WAS TURNING INTO DEALERSHIP THE OVERHEATING WARNING BEGAN TO SOUND, UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS A HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT BEING IN THE CYLINDERS AND THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #560753
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND STALLED. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS HEAD GASKET. THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #883615
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
VEHIOCLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED DUE TO IGNITION MODULE AND STARTER FAILURE. A SOLNOID FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE VERHICE TO STALL. *YH
NHTSA ODI #881082
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
A PISTON CRACKED WITHIN TRANSMISSION, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK COMPUTER FAILED WHILE REPAIRING TRANSMISSION. ALSO, THE HEAD GASKET BLEW UP AT 50000 MILES. *YH
NHTSA ODI #877930
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWNOUT. FORD HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY ON VEHICLE; HOWEVER, VEHICLE EXCEEDS 7 YEAR LIMIT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #877829
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
REAR AIR SHOCK ASSEMBLY SYSTEM IS CAUSING BACK END OF VEHICLE TO SAG. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #558916
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738067
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
HAD RECENT HEADGASKET FAILURE, REPORTED TO LINCOLN, AFTER REPEAT CONVERSATIONS CORRECTED PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #737493
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON IT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY EXTENTION HAD EXPIRED ON 10/01/00. I DID NOT GET A NOTICE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENTION. I HAD TO PAY $1800 TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED. I TALKED TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESEN…
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THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. WHEN I HAD IT TOWED I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON IT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY EXTENTION HAD EXPIRED ON 10/01/00. I DID NOT GET A NOTICE OF THE WARRANTY EXTENTION. I HAD TO PAY $1800 TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED. I TALKED TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER AND BOTH SAID THAT I COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #735411
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE STARTED AND HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED #98M01KITBB, AND MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD PROBLEM WITH GOING INTO GEAR. GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK, IT WAS HARD, AND IT PULLED. THERE WAS NO SPEED. FLUIDS WON'T STAY IN VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #871546
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
Jul 12, 1994
THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.
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
2EA96024 · 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.