NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
9 reportsClear category filter87,000 miles · Mar 6, 2009
Exterior LightingFuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages
COULD NOT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER - NO MECHANIC COULD FIND OUT WHY THE CHECK ENGINE WILL NOT GO OFF -VERY COSTLY. IT STALLS WHEN RAINING, THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT WORK, IT HAS TO WARM UP FOR 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL MOVE, THE TAIL LIGHTS CAME LOOSE, CAUSING MELTING OF HOUSING, EVERY VALVE IMAGINABLE HAS BEEN REPLACE…
Read full complaint
COULD NOT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER - NO MECHANIC COULD FIND OUT WHY THE CHECK ENGINE WILL NOT GO OFF -VERY COSTLY. IT STALLS WHEN RAINING, THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT WORK, IT HAS TO WARM UP FOR 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL MOVE, THE TAIL LIGHTS CAME LOOSE, CAUSING MELTING OF HOUSING, EVERY VALVE IMAGINABLE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BELT SQUEALS WHEN AIR OR DEFROST TURNED ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260956
25,000 miles · Apr 17, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineInjury
STARTING EVERY SPRING, LASTING THROUGH THE SUMMER, THERE IS A FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. EVERY FORD DEALER CLAIMS NOT TO SMELL IT, AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. IT USUALLY OCCURS IN OVER DRIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014494
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
THERE IS A FUEL SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR 4 TIMES, AND ONCE COOLANT SENSOR.BUT, IT DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #892206
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
AC/HEATER SWITCH WHICH PREVIOUSLY FAILED (VERY SIMILAR TO EXISTING INVESTIGATION # PE00023) IN OCT 2000, HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE AC/HEATER SWITCH WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO ENGAGE THE HVAC SYSTEM AND WILL FAIL TO ENGAGE THE AC COMPRESSOR WHEN AN AC MODE IS SELECTED. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS PART AND I NOTICED SEVERAL O…
Read full complaint
AC/HEATER SWITCH WHICH PREVIOUSLY FAILED (VERY SIMILAR TO EXISTING INVESTIGATION # PE00023) IN OCT 2000, HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE AC/HEATER SWITCH WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO ENGAGE THE HVAC SYSTEM AND WILL FAIL TO ENGAGE THE AC COMPRESSOR WHEN AN AC MODE IS SELECTED. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS PART AND I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART IN THE DATABASE.
NHTSA ODI #737586
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND FIRE STARTED INSIDE VEHICLE TOWARDS THE REAR, AND WENT THROUGH THE FRONT. INSPECTOR CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857368
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHETHER THE TANK IS EMPTY OR FULL AND DETECTABLE AT SLOW, FAST, OR NON SPEED
NHTSA ODI #709176
Mileage unknown · May 3, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CAR WILL CRANK OVER, BUT WILL NOT START. IT HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES. FOUR TIMES IT REQUIRED TO BE TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT FORD FOR REPAIRS. ONLY ONCE DID THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING APPROX 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, HOWEVER WHEN THE CAR GETS TOWED INTO THE D…
Read full complaint
CAR WILL CRANK OVER, BUT WILL NOT START. IT HAS OCCURRED 5 TIMES. FOUR TIMES IT REQUIRED TO BE TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPT AT FORD FOR REPAIRS. ONLY ONCE DID THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING APPROX 40 MILES AN HOUR. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, HOWEVER WHEN THE CAR GETS TOWED INTO THE DEALERS, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REALLY DETERMINE WHAT IS THE DEFECT WITH THE CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #706208
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering
VEHICLE IN NUMBER OF TIMES FOR POWER ASSIST GOING OUT WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN OR WATER. 2/99 ACCELERATION LOST WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, NO POWER. HAD VEHICLE IN PREVIOUS WEEK BEFORE WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED.
NHTSA ODI #703938
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN APRIL, CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE. RECALL # 97V067000. *AK
NHTSA ODI #817200
Official recalls
5Jul 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
4RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication
Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues
Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
Illustration