NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
20 reportsClear category filter131,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I BOUGHT A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID IT HAD ALL NEW BRAKES, SPRINGS, FILTERS, SENSORS, RADIATOR, ETC. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC LAST WEEK (FRIDAY), HE SAID THERE IS A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL THINGS ON IT AND IT NEEDS 1500$ WORTH OF WORK TO MAKE IT SAFE. HE SAID IT WAS A LEMON AND I SHOULD CONTACT THE PE…
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I BOUGHT A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID IT HAD ALL NEW BRAKES, SPRINGS, FILTERS, SENSORS, RADIATOR, ETC. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC LAST WEEK (FRIDAY), HE SAID THERE IS A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL THINGS ON IT AND IT NEEDS 1500$ WORTH OF WORK TO MAKE IT SAFE. HE SAID IT WAS A LEMON AND I SHOULD CONTACT THE PERSON THAT SOLD IT TO ME, SO I DID, I BROUGHT HIM TO THE MECHANIC SO HE COULD HEAR EVERYTHING ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE AND BROKEN ABOUT IT. HE STATED IN FRONT OF THE MECHANICS THAT HE WOULD BE REFUNDING MY MONEY ON MONDAY (TODAY). WHEN I CALLED TODAY THEY TOLD ME TO BAD I'M NOT GETTING MY MONEY BACK. WE BOUGHT IT AS IS AND OH WELL. I HAVE A DETAILED LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM MY MECHANIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317799
28,000 miles · Dec 8, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. MANUFACTURER NOR DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL.…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. MANUFACTURER NOR DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH.*MR
NHTSA ODI #10050193
62,000 miles · Dec 1, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
MY SPEEDOMETER JUMPS BY 10-15 MPH WHEN SPEEDS ARE ABOVE 40 MPH. AT LOWER SPEEDS IT ALSO SHAKES BY 5 MPH OR SO. THIS HAS TO BE A FLAW IN THE 1995 MERCURY SABLE BECAUSE I SEE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER MUST BE HELD RESONSIBLE FOR IT'S REPAIR. IT IS A CRONIC PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10048985
6,000 miles · Jun 4, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE AND CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. MR *PH
NHTSA ODI #10020410
6,000 miles · Apr 22, 2003
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
AT ABOUT 6000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME UNSTEADY. AT 23,500 MILES THE NEEDLE STATED TO WAVE AND BOUNCE CONSISTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY DID NOTHING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CRUISE E CONTROL BECAME ERRATIC AS WELL. *MR *SCC *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016034
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GOES FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND WILL NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT SPEED. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . *NLM *DT
NHTSA ODI #10003978
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO DRIVE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8004761
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2002
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGHER SPEED. SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAS ERRATIC. CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8002574
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NASHUA, NH BUT NOW LIVE IN FLORIDA. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS THIS: WHILE I AM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR ACTUALLY "LURCHES" FORWARD AND THEN WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, IT "SLAMS" INTO GEAR. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR AT THE LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA . HE TOLD …
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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NASHUA, NH BUT NOW LIVE IN FLORIDA. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS THIS: WHILE I AM TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR ACTUALLY "LURCHES" FORWARD AND THEN WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, IT "SLAMS" INTO GEAR. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE SUPERVISOR AT THE LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA . HE TOLD ME HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURING SEVERAL TIMES WITH OTHER SABLES AND KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT PART IT IS. HE ESTIMATES ABOUT $800-$1200 IN REPAIR COSTS. HE TOLD ME THAT IT COULD GO AT ANYTIME AND I WILL BE LEFT STRANDED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE MY CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS SABLE. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT IN THE SABLE'S TRANSMISSION - I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN A 6 YEAR OLD CAR.
NHTSA ODI #753367
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline
SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE IN AUG 1997 WITH 20,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. ALSO VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION/ THERMOSTAT/MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH/ MAP SENSOR/SPEED CON…
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SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE IN AUG 1997 WITH 20,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. ALSO VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION/ THERMOSTAT/MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH/ MAP SENSOR/SPEED CONTROL SENSOR, AND REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834132
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.