Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 52 of 231 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
What owners actually said
231 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE CAR MAKES A FUNNY NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER EACH STARTUP. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS LIKELY THE ABS GOING THROUGH A TEST. THE NOISE IS ALSO HEARD WHEN MAKING AN AGRESSIVE TURN WHILE STOPPING, TYPICALLY WHEN THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE. THE NOISE COULD BE BEST DESCRIBED AS A LOUD, HIGH PITCH WINE THAT LAST ONLY A FEW SECON…
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THE CAR MAKES A FUNNY NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER EACH STARTUP. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS LIKELY THE ABS GOING THROUGH A TEST. THE NOISE IS ALSO HEARD WHEN MAKING AN AGRESSIVE TURN WHILE STOPPING, TYPICALLY WHEN THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE. THE NOISE COULD BE BEST DESCRIBED AS A LOUD, HIGH PITCH WINE THAT LAST ONLY A FEW SECONDS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760641
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2002
Suspension
CUP/PLATE ADDED TO FRT COIL ASSEMBLY ADVERSELY IMPACTS VEHICLE HANDLING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #760579
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Electrical System
INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE LIGHTS SHORTED OUT AND MALFUNCTIONED. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT A MECHANIC TOLD HER FORD WERE KNOWN TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PH 09-DEC-2002
NHTSA ODI #8007305
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2002
Suspension
CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS PREMATURE WEAR OF THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8006584
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATES THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE COLLAPES WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. NLM *MR
NHTSA ODI #8006456
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2002
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE FROM TIME TO TIME. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED TWICE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8005234
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 · Jan 3, 2002
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED -- HE TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER INDICATED TORQUE CONTROL SLIPPAGE -- THEN TOOK THE CAR TO MOUNTAIN VIEW FORD WHERE THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSAXLE PUMP NEEDED REPLACING AND THAT IT WOULD COST JUST OVER $1000 -- THIS CAR ONLY HAS JUST OVER …
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I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED -- HE TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER INDICATED TORQUE CONTROL SLIPPAGE -- THEN TOOK THE CAR TO MOUNTAIN VIEW FORD WHERE THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSAXLE PUMP NEEDED REPLACING AND THAT IT WOULD COST JUST OVER $1000 -- THIS CAR ONLY HAS JUST OVER 32000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT MY 100000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT -- THIS IS A DEFECT ON THE CAR AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756361
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2002
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING OUT OF TOWN ON CHRISTMAS DAY -- THE DRIVE HOME WAS UNSETTLING BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT JERKING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC -- IT WAS HOOKED ON A COMPUTER WHICH INDICATED A CODE 1744 INDICATING EXCESSIVE SLIPPAGE ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I BELIEVE THIS SHO…
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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING OUT OF TOWN ON CHRISTMAS DAY -- THE DRIVE HOME WAS UNSETTLING BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT JERKING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC -- IT WAS HOOKED ON A COMPUTER WHICH INDICATED A CODE 1744 INDICATING EXCESSIVE SLIPPAGE ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED BECAUSE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A RECALL ISSUE AND THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. MY CAR IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS BELOW AVERAGE MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI #756300
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2001
Seats
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT LOCKED INTO LOCKED POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
7
RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication
Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA00025 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Oct 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 25, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE00027 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Oct 4, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues
Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
SQ98002 · Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Below 1/4
Opened Jan 27, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 8, 1997, POINTS OUT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ ABOVE 3/4 TANK OR BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL.THE ERRONEOUS FUEL GAUGE READING WILL INDICATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL RESERVE THAN ACTUALLY PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK.ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING.THIS INVESTIGATION WASTO ASCERTAIN FACTS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE, SCOPE, AND RATIONAL FOR ELECTING NOT TO CONDUCT A SAFETY COMPAIGN.
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