Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports13 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

350 reports

36,200 miles · Dec 3, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. TS CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING HEAD GASKETS, THEREFORE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. HEAD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8023574

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING SERVICED THE ENGINE OVER HEATED DUE TO THE FAN NOT RESPONDING TO TEMPERATURE RAISING. A SERVICE CAMPAIGN WAS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURE BUT THE FAILURE OCCURED (2) WEEKS AFTER THE DEADLINE. THE MANUFACTURE IS NOT ASSISTING WITH THIS CAMPAIGN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01I011 ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.…

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NHTSA ODI #8021898

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FAN ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAN WILL NOT OPERATE DUE TO A BLOW…

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NHTSA ODI #8019569

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LEAKED COOLANT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET, AND ISSUED A WARRANTY. HEAD GASKET FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. *YH *JB SERVICE BULLETIN #98-…

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NHTSA ODI #567618

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I OWN A 1995 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON. AT 69,000 MILES THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECTIVE PART IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-4-9. FORD ISSUES A 5 YR/60,000 WARRANTY IN 1998 AND A 7 YR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY IN 2000. THE HEAD GASKETS ON MY VEHICLE DID NOT FAIL UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS 7 YEARS AND SEVEN MONTHS --WHICH WAS OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS. IT IS UNFAIR TO MAKE THE PUBLIC PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. NLM

NHTSA ODI #767622

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2002

Engine And Engine CoolingFire

PARTS FOR RECALL 01V390000 CONCERNING ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. WHILE WAITING FOR PARTS, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8019156

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

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LIONEL BARNET, P.A. WHO IS WRITING ON BEHALF OF MR. BADER STATES THAT THE OWNER RECEVIED NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL 01S30/O1M09 RELATING TO COOLING FAN MOTOR FAILURE. PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF RECALL NOTICE, MR. BADER, A QUALIFIED AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC, FOUND IT NECESSARY TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE DUE TO OVERHEATING AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FAN MOTOR HAD SEIZED. MR. BADER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REASONABLE CHARGES HE INCURRED IN REPAIRING HIS VEHICLE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY. *TT

NHTSA ODI #567333

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THIS WAS REPAIRED AT BERGE FORD IN MESA, AZ. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT RELATED TO THIS ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK FOR ADDITIONAL WORK THAT I BELIEVE WAS CAUSED BY THE COOLING FAN FAILURE. THE HARMONIC BALANCER WARPED FROM THE ENGINE HEAT AND WELDED ITSELF TO THE CRANK SHAFT. BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AN ADDITIONAL COST OF $1460.00 I FEEL THAT BERGE FORD OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THEIR SERVICE PEOPLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765871

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2002

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014883

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

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RECALL O1I011000 DEALER REPLACED ONLY THE RESISTOR IN APRIL. WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT THIS REPLACING THE COOLING FAN I WAS TOLD "IF THE COOLING FAN WAS GOING TO FAIL, IT WOULD HAVE FAILED AT THAT TIME." ON 06/14/2002 THE ENGINE COLING FAN FAILED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BERGE FORD IN MESA, AZ. 480-497-7600. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR EXPLODED FROM THE HEAT. SERGIO TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILURE IS WAS THE ROOT OF ALL THE DAMAGE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THEY DID COVER THE COST OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR PER DIRECTION OF THE RECALL LETTER. THAT WAS AN ADDITIONAL $157.15 COST TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ACTION I CAN TAKE TO RECOVER MY COSTS? ONE LAST THING, AS I WAS FILLING OUT THIS FORM I NOTICED BERGE FORD HAD RECORDED THE VEHICLE MILEAGE INCORRECTLY FOR MY VEHICLE. JOHN REDIKEN IS MY NORMAL SERVICE CONSULTANT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #764461

Official recalls

01V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Dec 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.

98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members

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.

97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control

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.

97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

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.

94V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

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

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.