Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports24 fire reports24 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

123 reports

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Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE RAN OUT OF COOLANT FLUIDS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLRM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #880673

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON CAUSING VEHICLE TO START TO KNOCK AND MAKE ALOT OF NOISE. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO BE CHECKED FOR EXCESSIVE USE OF OIL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #878904

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

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MY 1996 FORD CONTOUR'S (W/V6 2.5L DURATEC MOTOR) ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AROUND JAN 2 OF 2001. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AT THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP IN MODESTO, CA. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT WAS ON FRIDAY JAN 05, 2001, LATER ON THAT WEEK. ONCE I TOOK IT IN, THEY HAD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING MY (3) CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND MY THROTTLE BODY. THE SERVICE ADVISOR THEN TOLD ME THAT HE HAD TO CHECK WITH FORD BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THAT THE WORK WAS COVERED UNDER A FORD RECALL 97E61. THE NEXT DAY HE RESPONDED TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT FORD HAD SAID THAT IT WASN'T COVERED AND THAT MY BILL WOULD BE $1,300.00. I THEN ASKED HIM WHY IT WASN'T COVERED AND HE TOLD ME BECAUSE MY VIN# DOESN'T SHOW IT. HE THEN ASKED ME TO TAKE IT UP WITH FORD THE ACTUALL COMPANY. SO I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON IT MYSELF AND HAVE COME UP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF INFO. FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS TOLD ME THAT THE REASON MY CAR IS NOT COVERED IS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE 97E61 CRITERIA FOR RECALL. SO I ASKED WHAT ACTUALL PART DOES NOT FALL UNDEER THE CRITERIA. THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE IT UP WITH NHTSA AND THEY CAN GIVE ME THAT INFO. WHAT I HAVE FOUND IS THAT CARS THAT WERE BUILT AT 2 FORD PLANTS, CAUTLIN, AND KANSAS CITY PLANTS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE AFFECTED. WELL MY CAR WAS BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY PLANT. THE OTHER CRITERIA I KNOW ABOUT IS IF THE CAR WAS BUILT WITHIN MARCH OF 95 THRU MARCH OF 96. WELL MY CAR WAS FIRST SOLD IN FEB. 96 AND IT'S A 96 MODEL SO IT WOULD HAVE TO FALL WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING MY CAR FIXED AT A DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIP BUT MY COST IS STILL OVER $1,100.00. PLESAE HELP ME. CESAR GARCIA CALL ME ANY TIME AT 408-674-9315 TO LET ME KNOW YOU HAVE RECEIVED MY LETTER. I WOULD ALSO LIKE A COPY E-MAILED TO ME OF WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN SO I HAVE A RECORD AT CGARCIA1974@AOL.COM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #739838

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

CONSUME R WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHT AT ALL. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878600

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE CAR OVERHEATED SEVERLY WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, I HAD IT TOWED AND SPENT 2 WEEKS AT 2 DIFFERENT AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES (INCLUDING THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN BURIEN, WA) TRYING TO GET IT FIX BEFORE DISCOVERING IT HAD CRACKED THE BLOCK OF THE ENGINE. I SPENT ABOUT $1,300 AND HAD TO SALVAGE THE CAR. IS THERE A POSSIBLE WAY TO GET SOME…

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NHTSA ODI #739302

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND ENGINE OVERHEATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE WAS BLOWING OUT BLUE SMOKE AND MAKING CLUNKNIG NOISES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #877944

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE KEEPS OVERHEATING AND CAUSING SMOKE UNDER HOOD WHEN DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO FORD ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND FORD CLAIMED THAT THEY REPAIRED PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877593

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2000

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THE AIR ONLY COMES OUT OF THE DEFROST. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557764

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

PLASTIC IMPELLER DISINIGRATED INSIDE WATER PUMP> NO INDICATION PREVIOUSLY AT WEEP HOLE> FORD CHARGES $350 TO REPLACE AFTER JUST BEING THERE 2 DAYS EARLIER FOR TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736578

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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RIGHT REAR LIGHT CONTINUED TO GO OUT. REPLACE BULB FEW TIMES. RIGHT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. MAJOR FAN BELT REPLACED. ALTERNATOR REPLACED. LIGHT ON RADIO GOES OFF WHEN HEAD LIGHTS TURNED ON. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THEY FIXED MY RECALL FOR LIGHTS. GAS CAP COVER IS VERY HARD TO OPEN. TAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY AND OPEN. WHEN AIR IS ON SMELLS COME THROUGH REALLY STRONG FROM OTHER CARS. OWNER NOTIFICATION RECALLS ARE NOT TAKEN CARE OF UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY HAPPEN. THESE ARE COIL CAN BREAK AND CAR GO DOWN BLOW OUT TIRES. ALSO ELECTRICAL HARNESS CAN BREAK AND WIRES WILL CONNECT WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR AND CAUSE A FIRE. I HAVE SENT A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF FORD AND EXPLAINED HOW I FELT THIS CAR WAS UNSAFE AND IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO ME OR MY FAMILY THEY WOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. I NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM ANYONE. THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO TAKE BACK ALL CONTOURS AND GIVE US A SAFER CAR FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES TO DRIVE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FINANCE ANOTHER CAR. THEY NEED TO PROVIDE A LOAN AND NEW CAR FOR US. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO SEE IF THEY WILL HELP WITH TAKING MY CAR BACK AND GIVING ME ANOTHER CAR/LOAN. AS I TOLD THEM IN THE LETTER THEY JUST WANTED TO SELL AND MAKE MONEY THEY DIDN'T THINK OF THE FAMILY AND OR FAMILIES THAT THIS CAR AS IT FELL APART WOULD EFFECT. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE THIS WEB SITE THAT I CAN VOICE MY CONCERNS,PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD AND FEEL SOMEONE MAY PAY ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT IN THESE CARS AS HAVE BEEN MANY WITH THE TIRE SITUATION. I WILL HELP YOU IN ANY WAY I CAN TO CLEAR UP ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. I KEEP THE LETTER I SENT FORD IN MY CAR IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS SOMEONE WILL BE ABLE TO READ IT AND KNOW I DID TRY TO GET THIS PROBLEM DISSOLVED BEFORE IT WAS TO LATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP. DEBBIE JENNINGS HEWITT

NHTSA ODI #735467

Official recalls

01V230000 · Electrical System

Jul 9, 2001

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 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 1-800-392-3673.

00V367000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 6, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Mar 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

99V247000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 13, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.

99V103000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

May 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

98V233000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 18, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

97V225000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 8, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.

97V203000 · Fuel System, Other:storage

Nov 17, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES MODIFIED TO RUN ON EITHER GASOLINE OR COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG). THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANKS HAVE A SOLENOID SHUT-OFF VALVE THAT STOPS FUEL FLOW FROM THE FUEL TANK IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN MODERATE TO SEVERE COLLISIONS. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A COLLISION AND THE NATURAL GAS FUEL LINE IS DAMAGED, THE SYSTEM COULD LEAK NATURAL GAS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: FORD HAS REQUESTED OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES TO HAVE THE CNG FUEL SYSTEM DISABLED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN AND TO ONLY USE GASOLINE FUEL UNTIL A PERMANENT CORRECTIVE ACTION IS DEVELOPED. OWNERS ARE BEING ALERTED TO THIS SOLENOID VALVE CONCERN AT THIS TIME. THE TIMING OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS IS BEING DELAYED TO ALLOW BOTH CONDITIONS TO BE REMEDIED AT ONE TIME. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS NOT RISK AS LONG AS THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED AND THE VHEICLE IS ONLY OPERATED ON GASOLINE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗