NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
10 reportsClear category filter74,560 miles · Jul 31, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE VEHICLE STALLS TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE AFTER IT IS RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP AND TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS NOTHING ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PRIOR TO EACH INCIDENT. UPDATED 10/4/2006 -TH…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE VEHICLE STALLS TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE AFTER IT IS RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP AND TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS NOTHING ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PRIOR TO EACH INCIDENT. UPDATED 10/4/2006 -THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TEH ABS LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED TWICE, ONCE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND ONCE WHILE IT WAS NOT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164012
65,000 miles · Mar 15, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
I HAVE A 1995 MERCURY SABLE THAT HAS A BAD HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BY FORD, BUT AFTER CALLING AND LEAVING MESSAGES, I AM UNABLE TO CONFIRM THIS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU! I AM ALSO LISTING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE SUSPENSION AND BRAKES IN THE LAST YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10010509
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2002
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHENE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ABOVE 60 MPH SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT SPEED. OPERATON IS VERY ERRATIC, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8002106
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
THE COOLING FAN CAUSED A FIRE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #557672
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH FRONT WHEELS LOCKING UP WHENEVER MAKING A TURN ( MORE SO WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN). DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INSPECTION / REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854274
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
THIS PROBLEM HAD ONLY OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WHEN IDLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED. WE MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERIN…
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THIS PROBLEM HAD ONLY OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY WHEN IDLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE TRAVELING DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED. WE MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, THE POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING QUITS ALSO. IT WAS 104 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND SPENDING 1-1/2 HOURS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A FOUR YEAR OLD WITHOUT ANYTHING TO DRINK WAS HORRIBLE, SHE COULD HAVE DEHYDRATED VERY EASILY. THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, SENT OUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBR #96-7-5) ABOUT IT, I GUESS IT IS GOING TO TAKE HAVING PEOPLE KILLED BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF AUTOMOBILES THAT ARE INVOLVED: 89-95 FORD TAURUS, 89-94 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, AND 89-95 MERCURY SABLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS ENOUGH VEHICLES PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER THAT THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #710823
Mileage unknown · May 12, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH BRAKE PEDAL BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #837806
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1998
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
KNOCKING AND JUMP-SHIFTING TRANSMISSION DURING ACCELERATION; KNOCKING TRANSMISSION DURING CRUISING AFTER ACCELERATION; ROUGHING/SCRATCHING BRAKING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, PADS/DRUMS/DISCS ARE IN THE EXCELLENT CONDITION. SPEEDMETER NEEDLE JUMPED TO 85 MPH WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ONCE. STURCTURE FAILURE IN THE TRUNK, UP/RIGHT CORNER HA…
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KNOCKING AND JUMP-SHIFTING TRANSMISSION DURING ACCELERATION; KNOCKING TRANSMISSION DURING CRUISING AFTER ACCELERATION; ROUGHING/SCRATCHING BRAKING WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, PADS/DRUMS/DISCS ARE IN THE EXCELLENT CONDITION. SPEEDMETER NEEDLE JUMPED TO 85 MPH WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ONCE. STURCTURE FAILURE IN THE TRUNK, UP/RIGHT CORNER HAD A CRACK WHICH LET RAIN WATER LEAKS IN THE TRUNK. MY AIR CONDITION GIVES MILDREW/MUSKY WHEN USE. MY CAR WAS NEVER IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #701556
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GRAB, CAUSING EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR. DEALER WILL INSTALL REAR BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #826634
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other
SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA ODI #512618
Official recalls
5Dec 21, 2001
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.
Dec 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.
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.
Oct 11, 1994
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
4RQ99017 · 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.
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