NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
357 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN 1998 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE, ON 15-DEC-2001, REAR ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE WITH APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF 50,000 MILE SERVICE PROGRAM, AND AN…
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IN 1998 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE, ON 15-DEC-2001, REAR ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE WITH APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF 50,000 MILE SERVICE PROGRAM, AND ANY SERVICE WORK WILL BE MADE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003206
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT AND WHITE SMOKE WOULD COME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003004
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION TO HAVE VEHICLE EVALUATED. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8001878
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #751862
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB
NHTSA ODI #562891
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED..HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER.THEY FINALLY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HEADGASKET.THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. I LATER WROTE TO FORD MOTOR CO. DIRECTOR OF VEHICLE SERVICE,STATING THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE ENGINE REFERED TO A NEWS ITEM THAT SAID FORD WAS EXTENDING …
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THE ENGINE OVERHEATED..HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER.THEY FINALLY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HEADGASKET.THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. I LATER WROTE TO FORD MOTOR CO. DIRECTOR OF VEHICLE SERVICE,STATING THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE ENGINE REFERED TO A NEWS ITEM THAT SAID FORD WAS EXTENDING THE ENGINE WARRANTY ON THE 3.8 ENGINES TO INCLUDE THE 1994 AND 1995 MODELS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE 1993 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE READ THE LONG LIST OF COMPLAINTS FROM 1993 MERCURY OWNERS ON YOUR WEBSITE....THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE 1993 3.8 ENGINE! A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE BELIEVED THAT FORD (MERCURY) WAS NOW TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM(REIMBURSING REAIR COSTS)......IS THIS TRUE? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY UPDATED INFORMATION YOU COULD SEND ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750745
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A MERCURY DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS OVER 30 TIMES. THE ENGINE HAS ALWAYS RAN HOT WITH THE TEMPERATURE NEAR OR AT THE RED LINE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CONSTANTLY BOILS OUT THE ENGINE COOLANT AND HAS CAUSED EXCESSIV…
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THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A MERCURY DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS OVER 30 TIMES. THE ENGINE HAS ALWAYS RAN HOT WITH THE TEMPERATURE NEAR OR AT THE RED LINE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CONSTANTLY BOILS OUT THE ENGINE COOLANT AND HAS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR INSIDE THE COOLANT LINES WITH FAILIURES ABOVE THE THERMOSTAT, AND ABOVE THE ENGINE AT THE FIREWALL, AND OF THE UPPER AND LOWER HOSES, AS WELL AS TWO THERMOSTATS. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT HAS ALSO PREVENTED PROPER COOLING OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH HAS RESULTED IN SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 8 TIMES (WE HAVE AN INTERNAL LETTER FROM FORD THAT INDICATES THEY KNOW THE MOUNTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND WILL REPLACE THEM FOR FREE IF THE OWNER HAS THIS LETTER). THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT IS NOW BEGINNING TO FLICKER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, AGAIN. THE VALVE COVER AND TIMING COVER GASKETS WERE REPLACED 5,000 MILES AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING OIL ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED CONSTANT BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE, AND ALL MODELS OF IT WITH THE SAME ENGINE, POSES A SERIOUS FIRE AND ACCIDENT HAZARD DUE TO THE CONSTANT HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES WHICH ARE NOT NORMAL, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS. THE HIGH TEMPS ARE CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURES, GASKET FAILURES, COOLANT LINE FAILURES, AND SENSOR FAILURES (SEVERAL HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON OUR CAR). YOUR DATABASE SHOWS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE SABLE/TAURUS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR ALL VERSIONS WITH THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE, NOT JUST A FEW SELECT YEARS, AND FORD NEEDS TO REIMBURSE ALL EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE OWNERS FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COMPONENT REPAIRS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD WATER PUMP FAILURES, COMPUTER FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE, STRUT FAILURE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE, CRUISE CONTROL LOCKUP WHICH PLACED THE ENGINE IN HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #749802
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train
WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS IN OVERDRIVE, IT WOULD JERK AND THEN STALL OUT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THIS CAUSED POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, SO CONSUMER HAD …
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WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS IN OVERDRIVE, IT WOULD JERK AND THEN STALL OUT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THIS CAUSED POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, SO CONSUMER HAD THE HEAD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED AND PAID FOR REPAIRS. TRANSMISSION IS NOW GOING OUT. RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END REPLACED, WAS CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED A LEAK. HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #892615
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE BLEW HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA ODI #9002916
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ENIGNE BLEWOUT. VEHICLE WAS NON DRIVEABLE. HEAD GASKET COULD BE ONE OF REASONS. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #890749
Official recalls
6Dec 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.
May 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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.
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
Jan 4, 1993
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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
11RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA99023 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 6, 1999 · Closed Jun 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ODI has received 50 additional complaiints on MY 1993 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles alleging malfunction of the windshield wiper system including; intermittent or complete stoppage of wiper sweeping; inadequate sweep speed; and other general complaints of poor performace.In some cases, the owner alleges havingto leave the roadway or roll down the window and manually restart the sweeping motion of the wiper arms.Other complaints allege that the wiper sweeps too slowly at the maximum speed setting resulting in inadequate vision during heavy precipition.Some complaints allge repeated wiper system malfunctions despirt having their vehicles serviced at Ford dealerships of replacement of the multi-function switch and/or wiper motor.Ford provided its response to an Information Request Letter indicating that the same wiper motor is used on the MY 1987-1993 Taurus and Sable; however, warranty and complaint data show that the MY 1993 is over represented and may warrant particular attention.An Engineering Ananlysis is necessary to determine if a potential safety defect exists.
PE99015 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 24, 1999 · Closed Aug 6, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING
EA96024 · 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
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
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.
PE96018 · Headlights Failure
Opened Mar 5, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
There is no summary currently available
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
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
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