Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports10 fire reports7 injury reports

Steering complaints

16 reports

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Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2005

SteeringCrashInjury

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22 YR. OLD SON MATT CRASHED HIS 1997 FORD CONTOUR INTO UTILITY POLE-FEELS BEARINGS CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING. INNER WINDSHIELD DRIVER'S SIDE POST AT CORNER CAME APART, PLASTIC ON INTERIOR-WHICH STOPPED AT TOP OF POST AND WASN'T CONNECTED TO ANYTHING ON INSIDE OF ROOF-POPPED OUT AND LACERATED HIS LEFT EYEBALL. THE EYEBALL INTERIOR WAS PROTRUDING AND SURGERY WAS NECESSARY TO STITCH THE EYEBALL BACK TOGETHER. HE WILL EVENTUALLY NEED A CORNEA TRANSPLANT TO GET DECENT VISION FROM THAT EYE. THE RIGHT EYE SUSTAINED BLUNT TRAUMA WHICH CAUSED A HEMATOMA TO DEVELOP WHICH CAUSED BLINDNESS UNTIL IT'S RECENT REMOVAL. RESTORATION OF EYESIGHT IN THE RIGHT EYE IS A SLOW PROGRESS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108423

74,000 miles · Nov 4, 2003

SteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10046326

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003

Steering

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOST POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENED ONLY WHILE THE ROAD WAS WET. DEALER STATED IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM. *AK IN THE PAST 6 YEARS POWER STEERING FROZE TWICE DURING A SEVERE RAIN STORM. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10033731

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2003

Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ODI #10006000

110,652 miles · Jan 28, 2003

Steering

THE POWER STEERING LINE IS ROUTED UNDER THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AXIL AND HAS RUB A HOLE IN THE LINE. AND HAS CAUSED A LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #10003586

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringStructure

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TOOK MY CAR IN FOR RATTLING WHEN DRIVING AND STEERING. THEY ORDERED TACK SHIELD AND BOLTS. TOOK IT BACK IN, THEY INSTALLED PARTS AND SAID IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. HAD TO ORDER RACK AND PINION. KEPT THE CAR UNTIL THAT CAME IN AND INSTALLED IT. A FEW DAYS LATER IT STARTED SQUEALING AND SMOKING. TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK, DECIDED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND INSTALLED ANOTHER RACK AND PINION. GOT IT BACK AND IT WAS STILL RATTLING AND NOW IT HAS A LOW GROWL SOUND AT AN IDLE. TOOK IT BACK. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE IDLER PULLEY AND THE RIGHT SWADE BAR LINK. THE GROWL IS STILL THERE BUT THEY'RE SAYING THAT IS NOW NORMAL. IT IS NOT NORMAL. IT WAS NOT THERE UNTIL THEY STARTED SCREWING AROUND IN THERE. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK! *AK

NHTSA ODI #721426

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2000

Steering

AFTER DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE, POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, DRIVE BELT SQUEALS, AND IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHICH CAUSES LACK OF CONTROL. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719725

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1999

Electrical SystemSteering

THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN THE BATTERY, AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO GET SOMEONE TO GIVE HER A JUMP. ALSO, ALARM SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847910

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1999

SteeringTires

STEERING PROBLEM HAS COST CONSUMER ALOT OF MONEY. ALSO, NEEDS TO REPLACE THE TIRES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #845473

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999

Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringTires

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEM AT 61000. ALSO, HAD TO CHANGE TIRES AND BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #844803

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.

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.

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.

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 ↗