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

Steering complaints

30 reports

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20,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013

SteeringSuspension

CORROSION UNDER THE CAR (POLICE INCEPTOR ). CAR WAS PURCHASE FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN BAMBERG, SC THAT SELL MANY CROWN VICTORIAS. HE INDICATED MY CAR CAME FROM UP NORTH, PENNSYLVANIA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10542933

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2003

Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

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PROBLEMS WITH 1996 FORD CONTOUR FRONT BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, FUSE BOX, HEATER BLOWER MOTOR, ELECTRICAL AND STEERING AND SUSPENSION. *MR FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES MAKING A LOUD RUBBING SOUND, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, WATER WAS INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT SEALS, WHICH MADE THE LIGHTS VERY DIM, THE SELECTOR MODE SWITCH ON THE HEATER MOTOR BLOWER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, WHICH MADE THE HEAT NOT WORK AT A 100%. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, RACK AND PINION AND WHEEL BEARING WERE ALL DEFECTIVE. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10048678

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2002

Steering

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WENT BACK TO NORMAL. CONSUMER FEELS IT IS DANGEROUS TO LOSE POWER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014929

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001

Steering

TIE ROD BROKE JUST PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. LUCKY IT WAS'NT ON THE FREEWAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750225

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2001

Steering

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WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IN WET CONDITIONS, WATER IS BACKSPLASHED BY FRONT RIGHT TIRE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE MAIN DRIVE BELTS ARE. THIS CAUSES THE POWER STEERING PULLEY TO SLIP AND SIEZE, THEREBY CAUSING A LOCK UP ON THE STEERING MECHANISM. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND CREATES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION BECAUSE YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. WE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE RECENTLY IN THE EXPRESSWAY, WHILE TRAVELING ON WET PAVEMENT AND PUDDLES. STEERING SIEZED AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY WE BROUGHT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL BEFORE CAUSING MAJOR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #746774

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000

Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering

SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER OR IN RAIN, POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. AT THAT TIME ALERNATOR LIGHT COMES ON, HAS BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS , SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. ALSO, FILLING UP WITH GASOLINE VEHICLE WILL SMELL FOR LONG TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876152

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2000

Steering

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STEERING WHEEL, COLUMN, DASH BOARD, AND NOW I CAN FEEL IT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT ,VIBRATE WHEN CAR IS AT A COMPLETE STOP. VIBRATION LESSENS SLIGHTLY WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN PARK. THE FORD SERVICE DEALER IN WARNER ROBINS, GA DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "CORRECTION DIAG AND NEEDS AIR BAG, RADIATOR SUPPORT AND STEERING WHEEL DAMPER" I WAS ALSO ADVISED NONE OF THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER MY ESP PLAN AS THESE WERE EXTERNAL PROBALMS AND THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS INTERNAL. MY WARRANTY RUNS AT AT EITHER 72000 OR ON NOV 10, 2000. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAG SPECIFICALLY. WILL IT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, OR SHOULDN'T OR NOT AT ALL? I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF THEIR RECORDS INDICATE ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE WOULD BE DONE IF I DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AND THEY TOLD ME NO. THIS I DON'T BELEIVE AS I FEEL THE PROBLEM GETTING WORSE. HOW WILL I BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR IF THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GET WORSE? I FEEL FORD SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, IF IT IS A MAJOR DEFECT IT COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ODI #729485

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2000

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

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OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLS THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE STEERING WILL FAIL AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL APPEAR, WITH THE ENGINE ALMOST STALLING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE CAR GOING AS FAST AS 35 MPH AND AS SLOW AS 5 MPH. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THE DEALER HAS REPORTEDLY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL WAS AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE SPECIFIC MODEL. AFTER REPEATED RETURNS TO THE DEALER (AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE COMPLAINTS), THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND THAT THE CAR WAS EVEN "DRIVEN THROUGH SEVERAL PUDDLES" WITHOUT ANY STEERING FAILURE. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN WAS APPROXIMATELY AUGUST, 1999. THE WARRANTY HAS SINCE EXPIRED, AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ON 02/13/00, THE VEHICLE AGAIN EXPERIENCED STEERING FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #718762

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 1999

Power TrainSteering

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF IN GEAR AT 25 MPH. OVERHEATED UPON ACCELERATION. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE ALARM WAS THE CAUSE. PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. *AK *YC

NHTSA ODI #844266

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1999

SteeringSuspension

IDLER ARM AND FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842782

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 ↗