CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF THE SPEEDOMETER, TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN MARCH OF 1997, THEY REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD, IN OCTOBER OF 2000 THE REPLACEMENT FAILED, ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCING ERRATIC MOVEMENT WITH NO PARTICULAR PATTERN, THIS TIME IT WAS RELATIVELY BRIEF, IN NOVEMBER OF 2000, PERIODS OF ERRATIC…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING ERRATIC PERFORMANCE OF THE SPEEDOMETER, TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN MARCH OF 1997, THEY REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD, IN OCTOBER OF 2000 THE REPLACEMENT FAILED, ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCING ERRATIC MOVEMENT WITH NO PARTICULAR PATTERN, THIS TIME IT WAS RELATIVELY BRIEF, IN NOVEMBER OF 2000, PERIODS OF ERRATIC PERFORMANCE BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTED LONGER, FORD ADVISED UNLESS THEY COULD OBSERVE THE FLUCTUATIONS AS THEY WERE HAPPENING, THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. *JG
NHTSA ODI #560476
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2001
Power Train
ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER STARTED "BOUNCING" AFTER 19100 MILES, I.E. THE SPEED INDICATOR WOULD SWING WILDLY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 40 AND 80 OR SO, ACCOMPANIED BY A BUZZING SOUND. THIS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OVER 45-50 MPH. SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BY DEALER. THE REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY UNTIL THE WARRA…
Read full complaint
ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER STARTED "BOUNCING" AFTER 19100 MILES, I.E. THE SPEED INDICATOR WOULD SWING WILDLY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 40 AND 80 OR SO, ACCOMPANIED BY A BUZZING SOUND. THIS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OVER 45-50 MPH. SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BY DEALER. THE REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY UNTIL THE WARRANTY-PERIOD ENDED, THEN WITH APPX. 25000 MILES ON THE REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER, IT STARTED ACTING THE SAME WAY. A LETTER OF COMPLAINT DIRECTED TO FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY RESULTED IN A CALL SAYING THE DEALER WOULD CONTACT US. THEY NEVER DID. THE SPEEDOMETER IS STILL "BOUNCING" BEING UNRELIABLE AND NOISY WHEN DRIVING OVER 45-50 MPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740472
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2001
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING. NEEDLE WAS SHAKING . IF VEHICLE WOULD HIT A BUMP NEEDLE WOULD GO TO MAXIMUM SPEED AND NOT MOVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. *AK THE SPEEDOMETER HAD FAILED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. IT WAS REPLACED ONCE AND REPAIRED ONCE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #878137
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION HESITATES FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL SLAM INTO GEAR. NOW I HEAR THE TRANSMISSION WHINING IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. IT STARTED DOING IT ALL OF A SUDDEN. I HAVE NOTICED ALOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND THE ONES IN THE FORD TAURUS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION GOING BAD AT O…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION HESITATES FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL SLAM INTO GEAR. NOW I HEAR THE TRANSMISSION WHINING IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. IT STARTED DOING IT ALL OF A SUDDEN. I HAVE NOTICED ALOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND THE ONES IN THE FORD TAURUS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION GOING BAD AT ONLY 74,000 MILES, WHEN IT IS DRIVIN SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY. I HAVE MADE SURE THE OIL WAS ALWAYS FULL, AND I EVEN CHANGED THE OIL AND THE FILTER IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT DID NOT HELP!
NHTSA ODI #738872
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000
Power Train
WHEN SPEEDOMETER GETS UP TO 45 MPH NEEDLE FLOPS TO 50/60/ 70, AND GOES UP AND DOWN. DRIVER CAN'T TELL HOW FAST SHE IS GOING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #875840
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2000
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT 67500, NEEDLE FLUCTUATES WILDLY AND UNUSABLE AS AN INDICATOR. RESEARCH OF YOUR DATABASE INDICATES UNUSALLY LARGE NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. FORD ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO DEALERS (ARTICLE 97-12-5) ON 6/9/97 REGARDING THE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. REQUEST NHTSA INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION AND SEEK A RECALL DUE…
Read full complaint
SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT 67500, NEEDLE FLUCTUATES WILDLY AND UNUSABLE AS AN INDICATOR. RESEARCH OF YOUR DATABASE INDICATES UNUSALLY LARGE NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. FORD ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO DEALERS (ARTICLE 97-12-5) ON 6/9/97 REGARDING THE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER. REQUEST NHTSA INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION AND SEEK A RECALL DUE TO THE DEFECT OF THE SAME ITEM AFFECTING A LARGE GROUP OF VEHICLES RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY. YOUR DATABASE INDICATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS HAVE HAD MULTIPLE SPEEDOMETER FAILURES AND FORD IS UNWILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSTALLING WHAT MAY BE INFERIOR COMPONENTS AND THEREBY CREATING ADDITIONAL UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISKS. THERE APPEARS TO BE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT AFFECTING A LARGE NUMBER OF SABLE/TAURUS VEHICLES AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT. PERHAPS FORD MAY BE RECEPTIVE TO ENTERTAIN A REQUEST FOR A RECALL BEFORE THIS DEFECT THE BECOMES MAGNITUDE OF AN EXPLORER ROLL-OVER TYPE ISSUE. PLEASE HELP!*AK
NHTSA ODI #736699
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Electrical SystemPower Train
CONSUMER SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T GIVE CORRECT READING. READING INDICATES VEHICLE IS GOING MUCH FASTER. DEALER'S SAFETY INSPECTION OF VEHICLE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS DONE WIRING HARNESS WAS MOVED TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST SYSTEM. VEHICLE ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE & STARTEDD SMOKING SEVERELY. WIRES ON EXHAUST WAL…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T GIVE CORRECT READING. READING INDICATES VEHICLE IS GOING MUCH FASTER. DEALER'S SAFETY INSPECTION OF VEHICLE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. AFTER WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS DONE WIRING HARNESS WAS MOVED TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST SYSTEM. VEHICLE ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE & STARTEDD SMOKING SEVERELY. WIRES ON EXHAUST WALL MELTED. DEALER SAID WIRES WERE MOVED BACKED TO WHERE THEY BELONGED & IT WOULD BE FINE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874583
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2000
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER STARTED SWINGING WILDLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. REPLACED AT 30000 MILES. PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN WITH REPLACED PART AND PERSISTS.
NHTSA ODI #731900
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE LEAVING NO PROPULSION (FWD OR REVERSE). SIMILAR TO MANY OTHER TSB'S I'VE SEEN, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN SERIOUS INCIDENTS. FORD CLEARLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND MY 12/99 LETTER TO THEM WAS NOT ANSWERED. THIS IS AS SERIOUS A DEFECT AS ONE CAN HAVE, AND WHEN IT OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY IT IS S…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION WILL DISENGAGE LEAVING NO PROPULSION (FWD OR REVERSE). SIMILAR TO MANY OTHER TSB'S I'VE SEEN, WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN SERIOUS INCIDENTS. FORD CLEARLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND MY 12/99 LETTER TO THEM WAS NOT ANSWERED. THIS IS AS SERIOUS A DEFECT AS ONE CAN HAVE, AND WHEN IT OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY IT IS SCARY.
NHTSA ODI #731685
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE DEVELOPED A SEVERE NOISE. OIL WAS CHANGED ON REGULAR BASIS AT GARAGE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE. TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE WAY TO WORK. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 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.
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.
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.
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.
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
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
4
RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
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.
1995 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration