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

What owners actually said

563 reports

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2002

Fuel System, Gasoline

I RECEIVED A CARD THAT SAID: DANGER, THE FORD THAT YOU ARE DRIVING IS INVOLVED IN A PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN #99525 AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. WHAT IS THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN ABOUT? WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND THE ORIGINAL CAR DEALER IS IN ANOTHER STATE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR?*AK

NHTSA ODI #758686

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002

Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE NEW AND HAD ONLY 47,000 MILE WHEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. THESE COMPONENTS ARE NOT MOVING PARTS AND SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE UNLESS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY OR POORLY DESIGNED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757542

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

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ALSO THE TIMING BELT IS BROKEN AND THERE'S NOTHING ON OWNER'S GUIDE THAT TELLS YOU TO CHANGE TIMING BELT AFTER 60,000 MILES. ENGINE LIGHT ON AFTER ONE MONTH OF BUYING THIS CAR I CALL THE DEALER MADE APPOINTMENTS FEW TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM NEVER WENT AWAY, FEW TIMES I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM TO CHECK ON THE WAY HOME THE LIGHT IS BACK ON , I CALL THEM BACK AND ASK WHAT'S THE PROBLEM , WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF ME TAKING A DAY OFF TO BRING THE CAR TO BE FIX AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST., THEIR REMARK WAS THERE'S 23 SENSOR AND THEY COULD'NT TELL WHICH ONE IT WAS. NOW I'M STUCK PAYING 1 1/2 YRS ON A CAR THAT I DON'T HAVE , STILL HAVE TO CAME UP WITH MONEY TO GET A NEW ENGINE IN WHICH I DON'T HAVE , BUMPING RIDE TO AND FROM WORK, CANCEL ALL MY APPTS. AND BEGGING PEOPLE FOR RIDES SO I CAN PICK UP KIDS FROM SCHOOL AND FOOD SHOPPING, I CAN'T TAKE THE KIDS TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE I HAVE NO CAR THAT'S NOT FARE. THANK-YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP ,THANK-YOU AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #757379

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2002

Power Train

I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER HOW MANY TIME I HAVE HAD TO COME TO THIS SITE ABOUT THIS CAR. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND NOW STILL OWING MONEY ON THIS CAR I AM LOOKING AT $2000.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #757305

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2002

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

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ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON. TOOK TO KINSEL FORD IN JUNE 2001...TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOING OUT. ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF...STARTED COMING ON AGAIN AND CAR HAD ALOT OF EXHAUST AND RUNNING ROUGH. TOOK TO SILSBEE FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS OUT DUE TO THE ENGINE COOLING FAN NOT COMING ON LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSE TO SO IT ALSO FRIED THE WIRES. FORD IS WILLING TO PAY FOR PARTS BUT REFUSES TO PAY FOR LABOR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY SAY IT WAS OUT OF THE 100,000 WARRENTY FOR THE REPAIR. I EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS GOING ON WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN IN JUNE AND THEY DIDN'T CORRECT IT THEN, ACCORDING TO THE CHECK OUT SHEET THEY DIDN'T EVEN CHECK IT FOR THAT AND I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR THAT RECALL TO BE CHECKED. I HAD EVEN BEEN IN IN MARCH OF 2000 FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY CAR HAD NO RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING FAN. JUST EXTREMELY UPSET THAT YOU CAN HAVE A RECALL, TAKE YOUR CAR IN AND IT NOT BE CHECKED FOR IT AND WHEN IT GOES OUT DUE TO THE RECALL THAT THE COMPANY PENALIZES THE CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #757282

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2002

Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STOPPED ABRUPTLY WHILE IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, CONSUMER SENT COPIES OF BILLS TO DEALER, BUT NO RESPONSE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT

NHTSA ODI #564038

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2002

Visibility

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THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON THE FORD CONTOUR ARE DEFECTIVE. THE MATERIALS USED ARE BEND, CRACK, AND BREAK CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO EITHER FALL INTO THE DOOR, OR TO BECOME STUCK WHEN BEING ROLLED UP OR DOWN. I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR REGULATOR 16 MONTHS AGO THINKING THIS WAS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE BUT NOW FIND THE PASSENGER SIDE ONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS ADMITTED THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL PARTS FOR THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN MY POSITION AND ON INSPECTION IT IS CLEAR TO SEE THAT THE MANUFACTURING OF THE MATERIAL IS FAULTY, UNDER EXTREME STRESS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE ASSEMBLY. THIS OF COURSE WOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN IF THE WINDOW WOULD COLLAPSE INTO THE DOOR FRAME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #756611

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2002

Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

STALLS OUT IF YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS, SURGES BETWEEN 1-4 RMPS, ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, ALL STARTED AFTER I HAD THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756307

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756261

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2001

Exterior Lighting

CONSUMER STATES RECEIVED RECALL 99V103000 NOTIFICATION. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED OTHER RECALLS, BUT INFORMED CONSUMER PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR HEADLIGHT SWITCH RECALL, AND HE SHOULD RETURN IN 7 DAYS. WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP HE WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL, AND ANY…

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NHTSA ODI #8000657

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 ↗