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

Suspension complaints

49 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002

Suspension

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 3 PIECES AND THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 2 PIECES. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #564015

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2001

SteeringSuspension

WHEEL BEARINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. STEERING MADE A LOT OF NOISE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. TOOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, INFORMED CONSUMER THAT SPINDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DEFECTIVE. SPINDLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS NOT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000994

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2001

Suspension

NHTSA RECALL 01I013000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS 01M08 AND 01S23 CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION. BOTH REPAIRS WERE DONE BY MANHATTAN FORD; MANHATTAN, NY; PHONE # 212/581WAS BEING MADE. DEALER INFORMED THAT THEY DID ALL THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO. ASKING NHTSA ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAI…

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NHTSA ODI #6900696

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2001

Suspension

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NHTSA RECALL 01V255000/MANUFACTURER RECALL01S23//FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION: RECALL REPAIR FAILURE. INSTALLED SHIELD PLACED TOO CLOSE TO SNOW TIRES WHICH POSED A RISK TO VEHICLE IF INVOLVED IN A SUDDEN TURN OR STOP. REPAIRS DONE BY HERITAGE FORD, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT; PHONE# 802/865-8150. *AK DEALER REPAIRED BY REPLACING COIL SPRINGS AND CUTTING THE BACK INNER FENDER SHIELDS, CONSUMER STILL HAS A RUBBING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, POSSIBLY THE LOWER SPRING CAME INTO CONTACT WITH THE SIDEWALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #899362

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2001

Suspension

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TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL 01V255000 REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP FIXED PROBLEM, BUT RECALL REMEDY FAILED. ALSO COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *AK CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CORRODED COIL SPRING, AND SHIELD WERE PUT ON NOT KNOWING THAT THE COIL WAS FRACTURED, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE IT WAS LEANING AND RATTLING, CONSUMER THEN POINTED OUT THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN BECAUSE OF IT LEANING, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT STRUTS WERE NEEDED, CONSUMER STATED IF THE COIL SPRINGS HAD NOT WENT BAD THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR STRUTS.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #899253

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001

Suspension

FRONT WHEEL BEARING HAS TO BE REPLACED OR WHEELS MAY COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #896747

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001

Suspension

WHEN TURNING VEHICLE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A CLICKING INSIDE OF STEERING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #896111

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2001

Suspension

AT 48,787 MILES THE LEFT COIL FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN 3 PIECES. 9 DAYS LATER THE RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE INTO 2 PIECES. BOTH REPAIRED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #9003556

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2001

Suspension

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FAILED BURING BACKUP, RESULTING IN TIRE GOUGE AND FRAME BOTTOMING. LOOKING AT THE 1998 MYSTIQUES/FORD CONTOURS, IT IS A VERY STRONG POSSIBLIITY THE THE COIL SPRINGS ON THESE CARS ARE FATIGUEING , FOR MANY SPRINGS HAVE FAILED IN THESE MODEL IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THERE IS MOST CERTAINLY A TREND AND THIS IS A…

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NHTSA ODI #748986

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001

Suspension

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT. FRONT FENDER DROPPED DOWN ON TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT COMPONENT HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890447

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 ↗