NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
221 reportsMileage unknown · Mar 3, 1999
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING IN TO NEUTRAL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE FIRST TIME THE TRASNMISSION WAS REBUILT WAS AROUND 40,000 MILES. THEN 4 MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSON WAS REBUILT AGAIN, AT AROUND 85,000. THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25-55 MPH OR MORE. WHEN I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE …
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THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING IN TO NEUTRAL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE FIRST TIME THE TRASNMISSION WAS REBUILT WAS AROUND 40,000 MILES. THEN 4 MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSON WAS REBUILT AGAIN, AT AROUND 85,000. THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25-55 MPH OR MORE. WHEN I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED; THEY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS (HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON) AND WE ARE CONCERNED THAT IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE CONCERNED NOW FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR TEENAGE SONS WHEN THEY DRIVE IT AS WELL AS OURSELVES. WE ALSO REQUESTED A MAINTANCE REPORT ON THE CAR SINCE WE HAD IT, BUT STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT FROM THE DEALER. ADDITIONALLY, THEY HAVE CHANGED OVER COMPUTER SYSTEMS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE ALSO COMMUNICATED THAT SERVICE CODES HAVE BEEN CHANGED SO THAT THEY CANNOT EVEN PROVIDE US WITH AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF EACH VISIT AND WHAT WAS SPECIFICALLY DONE TO THE CAR. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON ADDITIONAL STEPS WE CAN TAKE? THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF AGAIN TONIGHT, 3/3/99 BECAUSE OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS LAST NIGHT WITH IT. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #704001
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 1999
Power Train
DUE TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834145
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1999
Power Train
CONSUMER EXPRIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT TWICE AND LOST REVERSE AS OF NOW, ALL WITHIN 9,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSE TOD REPAIR UNLESS COST GOEST O CONSUMER. ASKING IF NHTSA CAN HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835214
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1999
Unknown Or Other
THE HOOD AND TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD LOOK AS THOUGH THE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY....WITH A WHITEISH TINT TO IT. I HAVE SEEN OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME COLOR PAINT (GRAY) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND AM WONDERING WHETHER IT CAN BE REPAIRED DUE TO A MANUFACUTOR'S RECALL
NHTSA ODI #703695
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 1999
Power Train
FAILED CLUTCH PISTON, POOR DESIGN,4000 MILES ABOVE EXT. WARR. AND THEY WOULDNT COVER.FAILED TWICE, ONCE IN TRAFFIC STOP, AND ONCE AT HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703560
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLL. CONSUMER HAD TO GET REAR MOTOR MOUNTS FIXED. PREVIOUSLY HAD FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS FIXED THREE TIMES. ALSO, TRANMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE JERKS AND CUTS OFF AT TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834455
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 1999
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
EXPERIENCING VARIOUS PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WITHIN 63,000 MILE OF WEARS,HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT/REPLACED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AND COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF BRAKES SYSTEM. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED / WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS THIS CONSIDERED NORMAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834222
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 1999
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME FOR NO REASON. THE TRANSMISSON LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CAR TO CUT OFF WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. DEALER SAYS VEHICLE NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833392
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE INHERENT TO THIS ENGINE. THE FORD DEALER WHERE I HAD IT REPAIRED FOR 1300 CHANGE SEZ FORD PAID FOR THIS REPAIR ON 94/95 OR 95/96 ENGINES WHICH ARE BASICALLY THE SAME,BUT HAVE NOT EXTENDED THIS RECALL TO 1991 MODELS. HE SAID TO SAVE MY RECEIPT INCASE THEY DO. IF THERE IS A DESIGN FL…
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FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE INHERENT TO THIS ENGINE. THE FORD DEALER WHERE I HAD IT REPAIRED FOR 1300 CHANGE SEZ FORD PAID FOR THIS REPAIR ON 94/95 OR 95/96 ENGINES WHICH ARE BASICALLY THE SAME,BUT HAVE NOT EXTENDED THIS RECALL TO 1991 MODELS. HE SAID TO SAVE MY RECEIPT INCASE THEY DO. IF THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS ENGINE. WHY DONT THEY FIX ALL OF THEM?
NHTSA ODI #702111
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW BY OWNER'S MOTHER, WHEN AIR CONDITIONER FAILED, AND MERCURY DID NOT FEEL PROBLEM WAS DUE TO ENGINE MOUNTS, EVEN THOUGH OWNER'S MECHANIC CONFIRMED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #701891
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
May 11, 1992
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
Aug 6, 1991
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
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
11EA96024 · 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.
DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks
Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs
Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93065 · Underbody Fuel Line Fails
Opened Jul 15, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA91042 · Storage Compar Suffocation
Opened Oct 28, 1991 · Closed May 21, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
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PE91108 · Storage Compar Suffocation
Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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