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 · Aug 15, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. DEALER SAID ENGINE COOLING FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL 00V367000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #894374

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

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EVER SINCE BUYING OUR 1996 2.5L CONTOUR IN AUG. OF 1999 WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF IT. OUR FIRST PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED WAS A LOUD HOWLING COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, LATER TO DISCOVER THE FACTORY INSTALLED MASS AIR FLOW INTAKE HOSE KIT HAD BEEN REVISED THUS LEAVING US TO HAVE TO PURCHASE THE NEW AT A TOTAL PRICE OF $97.00 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING THIS ONE PROBLEM FIXED ANOTHER AROSE. THIS TIME BOTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND COOLING SYSTEM LIGHTS ARE ON CONTINUOSLY DESPITE HAVING PROPER FLUID LEVELS. ALONG WITH THE OTHER PROBLEMS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING OR ANY TIME THE ENGINE IS COLD IT IDLES ROUGHLY FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN QUITS AND NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN THIS WEIRD PHENOMENA BUT IS SURE SEEMS TO HAPPEN TO THE MAJORITY OF THESE CARS. NEEDLESS TO SAY WITH FORD'S LACK OF ATTENTION TO THESE MATTERS NOT JUST MINE BUT ALL OF THEM THIS WILL BE MY LAST AUTO BEARING THE FORD NAME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750436

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001

Electrical System

VEHICLE HAD NO POWER CAUSING CONSUMER TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY. VEHICLE WOULDN'T WORK WITH NEW BATTERY BECAUSE CONSUMER NOTICED WIRES WERE NOT ATTACHED. DEALER STATED " FORD HAS A PROGRAM WHICH IS 10 YEAR OR 100,000 MILES, BUT CAN ONLY BE FIXED IF A PROBLEM OCCURS." CONSUMERS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS.*…

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NHTSA ODI #894210

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001

Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATLEY 60 MPH ENGINE STARTED RUNNING AND RPMS WENT TO 8000. CONSUMER PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. UPON START UP AFTER THE ENGINE HAD BEEN SHUT OFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING AGAIN. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE YET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMEN…

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NHTSA ODI #894161

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

ASKED DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM RECALL 00V-367000 AND THEY SAID FORD HAS NO SUCH RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750336

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 · Aug 1, 2001

Power Train

THE VEHICLES OVERDRIVE FAILED RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #562288

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2001

Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE OVERHEATED, CONSUMER STOPPED TO ADD ANTI-FREEZE, A LITTLE WHILE LATER VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #562175

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001

Power Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WHILE SHIFTER WAS STILL IN DRIVE. OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #748527

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2001

Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA ODI #562043

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 ↗