Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports12 fire reports6 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

8 reports

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Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2002

Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL CABLE LINKAGE GOT HOOKED ONTO THE BLEEDER CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO STICK. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM *YH

NHTSA ODI #8019434

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2002

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA #97V22500 - MY VIN# NOT INCLUDED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757742

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentVehicle Speed Control

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AIR CONDITIONER INDICATOR IS NOT ILLUMINATING ON DASH WHEN LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. ALSO, DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING . CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT PROBLEM, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO VIN. PROBLEMS WITH RADIATOR ALSO OCCURRED, AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THAT PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE VIN# DID NOT APPLY TO THAT RECALL EITHER. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT DEALER. DEALER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #891417

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2001

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA RECALL 97 V 225 000/THROTTLE CABLE: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEPARATION OF THROTTLE CABLE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880180

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000

Vehicle Speed Control

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CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS TIGHT PULLING & GRINDING NOISE IN THE THROTTLE. VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK BEFORE PRESSING DOWN ON THE THROTTLE AGAIN & THE CABLE SNAPPED. DEALER SAID CABLE WAS BUSTED OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH CONTROLLED THROTTLE OF THE VEHICLE. RECALL #97V22500O. DEALER STATED WRONG PART WAS PUT ON THAT WAS WHY IT BROKE. DEALER REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT FIXED IT TEMPORARILY. CORRECT CABLE STILL NEEDS TO BE PUT ON TO RECTIFY & COMPLETE THE PROBLEM. THE TRACTION IS NOW OFF. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING 2 1/2 WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE CORRECT PART IN FROM FORD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #868106

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000

Vehicle Speed Control

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THE THROTTLE FREEZES. AT TIMES THE THROTTLE FEELS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING CAUSING YOU TO PRESS HARDER THAN NEEDED TO ACCELERATE, THEN THE CAR SPRINGS FORWARD. SOME TIMES WHEN YOU PUSH LIGHTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR IT STARTS OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE THEN THE THROTTLE FREEZES. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH IT WILL NOT BUDGE, THEN SUDDENLY IT WILL FREE UP AND WORK FINE FOR DAYS MAYBE THEN IT WILL DO IT AGAIN. VERY UNSAFE. WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS. FORD- MERCURY ARE REALLY DRAGGING THEIR HEELS. THEY HAVE CHARGED ME OVER $100 ON ONE VISIT FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIXED NOTHING. THANKS YOU FOR YOUR HELP, DAN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722148

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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WE TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEALER IN MAY OF 1999 BECAUSE THE THROTTLE SEEMED TO STICK, THEN BREAK FREE, CAUSING TO CAR TO LURC FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. THEY KEPT THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT REPEAT THE PROBLEM SO THEY ERTURNED IT TO US AND CHARGED US OVER $100. EVER SINCE THE THROTTLE WOULD SOMETIMES FEEL ROUGH IN ABOUT ONE HALF TO ONE INCH OF TRAVEL BUT THEN WOULD BE SMOOTH AS SILK. IN FEB WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE SMOG CHECK AND THE SERVICE PERSON FINISHED THE TEST AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SAT STILL, THE ENGINE AT IDLE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. HE SHIFTED IT BACK AND FORTH THEN SUDDENLY IT SHOT OUT OF THE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. HE SAID HE HAD PUSHED ON THE FOOT PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THEN ON MARCH 14, 2000, I WAS TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 50 MILES PER HOUR FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES WHEN I DECIDED TO ACCELERATE TO 55, THE THROTTLE STUCK TIGHT. I PUSHED VERY HARD BUT NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS, THEN SUDDENLY IT RELEASED AND MY SPEED INCREASED. AT THIS POINT WE CANNOPT AFFORD TO PAY FORD $100 EVERY TIME WE TAKE THIS IN AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I'M SURE IT IS A THROTTLE PROBLEM. THE SMOG MECHANIC THINKS IT MAY ALSO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SWITCH ON THE TRANSMISSION, AS HE SAID WHEN IT DID IT TO HIM HE MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER BACK AND FOR AND PUSHED ON THE FOOT PEDAL AND IT DID NOT INCREASE IN SPEED NOR DID IT MOVE. IS THERE SOME KIND OF RECALL HAVING TO DO WITH EITHER OF THESE PROBLEMS? THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK SO. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. IT HAS BEEN AND ON GOING THING. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS IT IS WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF SCARY OCCURRENCES. ONCE AT A STOP SIGN I PULLED UP STOPPED SAW THAT IT WAS CLEAR, PRESS ON THE FOOT PEDAL AND NOTHING HAPPENED, THE CAR SAT STILL AT IDLE, NO REVING JUST IDLE. I THOUGHT MY FOOT WAS CAUGHT ON THE CARPET SO I PUSHED AGAIN, STILL NOTHING SO I THOGHT MAYBE THE FLOOR MAT HAD GOTTEN CAUGHT UNDER THE PEDAL, JUST AS I WAS REACHING DOWN TO PULL ON FLOOR MAT CAR SHOT FORWARD. AK

NHTSA ODI #720107

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC VEHICLE STARTS WHINING, THEN IT STALLS. HAS TO PUT GEAR IN PARK TO RESTART. SOMETIMES THE OVERDRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. ALSO, WHEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC, IT DOESN'T ENGAGE IN GEAR IMMEDIATELY, WHEN PUTTING FOOT ON ACCELERATOR, IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #858382

Official recalls

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 6, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 13, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 8, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗