Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports20 fire reports36 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

83 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2001

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED WOULD STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP OR TO SLOW DOWN, BUT BRAKES WOULD NOT OPERATE AS BEFORE AND PULL TO SIDE.*AK THE DEALER REPLACED WHEELS BUT THE VEHICLE MAKES LOUD NOISE ALSO. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878833

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2000

Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPYLING ABS BRAKES SYSTEM FAILED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION WITHIN BLOWER SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS. *AK WHEN BRAKES ARE RELEASED THE LIGHTS AND THE BLOWER MOTOR WORKED NORMAL. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT WATER INTRUSION CAUSED WIRE DAMAGE REQUIRING COMPLETE WIRE HARNESS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO SKIP THE REPAIR D…

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NHTSA ODI #876945

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, AND 60% BRAKING POWER WAS LEFT ON REAR. CONSUMER HAD BRAKES CHANGED AT 26,212 MILES, AND AT ANOTHER 25,00 MILES THEY NEED TO BE CHANGED AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876889

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000

Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS DID NOT WORK IN SNOW. DEALER SAID WIRE HARNESS HAD MOISTURE IN IT. HAVE TO REPLACE HARNESS. COST: $3000+*AK

NHTSA ODI #737663

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2000

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

A/C NOT COLD ENOUGH DUE TO FAULTY SEAL O-RINGS AT THE EVAPORATOR TOP AND LOWER LINE OUTLET. NLM

NHTSA ODI #557054

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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RECENTLY MY 1998 CONTOUR SVT'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKES HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS LOCKED UP WHEN APPLIED CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE. IN SOME CASES THE BRAKES HAVE REMAINED LOCKED AND ONLY RELEASED AFTER BEING TAPPED AND PRESSED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN CAUSED TO COME TO A HALT IN TRAFFIC. AVAILABLE AVENUES OF ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS BRAKING PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY ARE EXHAUSTED. FORD'S STANDARD POLICY REQUIRES THE DEALER'S SERVICE FACILITY TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IN THIS CASE IS INTERMITTENT AND DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE IT. FORD REFUSES TO BE INVOLVED OR TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM BEYOND THE CLERICAL AREA THAT ANSWERS AT CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. I PURCHASED THE ABOVE VEHICLE NEW FROM BORGMAN FORD IN GRANDVILLE, MICHIGAN IN 1998. I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUNTINGTON FORD IN ROCHESTER HILLS ON TWO OCCASIONS. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE I PAID TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND ALSO A FEE TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED FOR THE LOCKUP PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED AND NO SOURCE WAS IDENTIFIED. AFTER THE LATEST INCIDENT HUNTINGTON PROVIDED A "LOANER" VEHICLE FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS, BUT WAS AGAIN UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. INTERNAL FORD PROCEDURES BLOCK EFFORTS TO BRING THE SITUATION TO THE ATTENTION OF A HIGHER LEVEL OF FORD MANAGEMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD THROUGH THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, 800-392-3673--A HIGHER LEVEL OF AUTHORITY IS NOT AVAILABLE BY CALLING THIS NUMBER. MY FATHER ALSO CALLED FORD'S HEADQUARTERS, 313-322-3000, AND ASKED FOR CEO JACQUES NASSER. HE WAS CONNECTED TO MR. COLIN RICHARD, EXECUTIVE CONTACT MANAGER, AGAIN NO HIGHER LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT IS REACHABLE. RICHARD REFUSED TO SEND A WRITTEN STATEMENT CONFIRMING FORD'S POLICY AND THEIR REFUSAL TO RESPOND. MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THIS SERIOUS BRAKING PROBLEM UNRESOLVED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. SINCERELY, DANIEL J. OSTERHART

NHTSA ODI #733833

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRACKET THAT HOLDS BRAKE LINE INTO THE REAR PART OF THE ENGINE MELTED OFF OR BROKE, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. CURRENTLY WILL TAKE TO THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #871836

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2000

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHEN SHE APPLIED BRAKES PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. AND THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER WAS GOING OUT OF DRIVEWAY/ BACKING UP AND APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. VEHICLE SLID AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #871751

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

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I WAS IN TRANSIT TO REPLACE MY BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. MY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE CAR NOW STALLS WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THESE ISSUES, AMONGST A LIST OF OTHER MAJOR FAILURES HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST 2.5 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS LEMON ( COMPLETE A/C SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED, WINDOW MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED, ETC.). NEITHER THE FORD MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIPS HAVE RESPONDED, AGREED OR OFFERED ANY INVESTIGATION, CORRECTION, COMPENSATION OR ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THESE PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN AND VERBAL MATTERS, AND LEGAL ACTION WILL COMMENCE. THE ISSUES LISTED IN THIS TABLE ARE ONLY THE RECENT (LAST 3 MONTHS), AND DO NOT INCLUDE THE MONTAGE OF PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, SOME OF WHICH ARE MENTIONED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.

NHTSA ODI #728526

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2000

Service Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WATER PUMPS FAILED.*ET

NHTSA ODI #553284

Official recalls

01V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 8, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 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 1-866-436-7332.

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.

00V350000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE BI-FUEL SYSTEM. IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE GROMMET IS DAMAGED, FUEL COULD LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE GROMMET.

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.

99V243000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Sep 8, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.

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.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗