Suspension. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

18 reports

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58,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016

Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. MY 17YO DAUGHTER GOT PULLED OVER BECAUSE ONLY HER HIGH BEAMS WERE WORKING. THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM. VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES AND UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA ODI #10818563

145,000 miles · Nov 29, 2006

Exterior Lighting

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FOR THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL #99V103000 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10174724

112,000 miles · Jan 12, 2006

Exterior Lighting

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THIS COMPONENT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND FAILED A SECOND TIME. THERE IS NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN 99V103000, REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO …

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NHTSA ODI #10147635

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2004

Exterior Lighting

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WE PURCHASED A FORD MERCURY VEHICLE, USED, AND FOUND IT HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS. WE IDENTIFIED A RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SAID THE RECALL WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND FOUND IT HAD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, WITH THE DEFECT STILL PRESENT. FORD REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL, CITING THAT IT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WORK HAD BEEN DONE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED. THE BROKEN PART WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD THE CITED PROBLEM IN THE RECALL NOTICE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082545

123,000 miles · Jul 20, 2004

Exterior Lighting

CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN ABOUT THE PLASTIC LENS OVER THE HEADLIGHT ARE DISCOLORING AND CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10083271

42,000 miles · Sep 2, 2003

Exterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHT LENS ASSEMBLIES HAVE BECOME CLOUDY/HAZY, SO THE LIGHT EMITTED IS GREATLY REDUCED, CREATING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. REPLACEMENT COST IS $400 PLUS LABOR. I FEEL FORD SHOULD COVER THIS, AS THE ASSEMBLIES ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037029

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2002

Exterior Lighting

WHEN EVER IT HAS BEEN RAINING OR THERE IS HEAVY DEW OUTSIDE, RAIN OR MOISTURE WOULD ENTER THE REAR LIGHTS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS INFORMED EACH TIME IT WAS THE FACTORY SEALANT THAT HAD FAILED. THE SEALANT CAN NOT BE RESEALED. WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM. TS

NHTSA ODI #8022513

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002

Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF DASHBOARD. CONSUMER HAS RESEARCHED, THERE IS RECALL 99V103000 FOR HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. HOWEVER, RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014202

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2002

Exterior Lighting

AFTER RAIN TAIL LIGHT FILL ED UP WITH WATER AND CRACKED LENS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8007682

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2001

Exterior LightingSeats

HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING, AND THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBACK WILL NOT STAY UP. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000887

Official recalls

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 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 1-866-436-7332.

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.

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.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.

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.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

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