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

Tires complaints

13 reports

Clear category filter

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2004

Tires

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER THE ROAD. FIRESTONE, FR 440, SIZE P185/70R14 , DOT:HYRV4FA3100. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079545

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2003

Tires

FIRESTONE P 185/70R14 87S M&S FT70-C I HAVE THESE TIRES AND JUST YESTEREDAY NOTICED A "BUMP" I RETURNED HOME TO FIND THE L FRONT TIRE HAD A SECTION OF THE TOTAL TREAD DOWN TO THE WIRES MISSING THIS IS A SECTION ABOUT 3X4 INCHES. THE OTHER TIRE R FRONT SHOWS NO CHANGES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041268

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002

Tires

THIS IS MY SECOND BLOW OUT IN ABOUT A WEEK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #761023

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000

Tires

PE00-020; FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA, P20560R15, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR FORD CONTOUR 1998 WITH 14,300 MILES . ALL 4 TIRES CRACKED FROM TREAD ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO GO SLOW ON ROADS, AND AVOID HIGHWAYS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #869724

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000

Electrical SystemTires

Read full complaint

FUSEBOX: BOUGHT CAR IN JULY 1999, HAD TO HAVE THREE RECALLS FIXED, ONE OF THEM WAS ON THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WE WENT AND HAD ONE OF THE RECALLS CORRECTED, THE NEXT WEEK WE WERE SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE REMAINING TWO FINISH, ON WEDNESDAY OF THAT WEEK THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING WHILE WE WERE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, WE HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK IT THAT FRIDAY WHEN THEY FIXED THE AIR BAG SENSOR, THE MECHANIC SAID THE FUSE BOX WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HE REPLACED THE FUSE BOX (FREE OF CHARGE) AND WE WENT ON OUR WAY, THEN ON 8/14/2000 AS WE WERE AGAIN DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 55 THE AIR CONDITIONER DIED AGAIN, WE READ THROUGH THE CAR MANUAL AND FOUND THE CORRECT FUSES TO THE BLOWER MOTOR AND A/C, WE CHANGED THOSE FUSES, THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, WE THEN CHANGED THE RELAYS, (WHICH WERE VERY HARD TO GET REPLACEMENTS FOR), THAT DIDN' T FIX IT EITHER, FINALLY WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND HAD THEM CHACK IT, THEY SAID THERE WAS A FUSE IN THE FRONT (WHICH THE OWNERS MANUAL SAID SHOULD ONLY BE CHANGED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD MECHANIC) THAT HAD BLOWN AND WHEN IT DID IT FUSED THE FUSE TO THE CONNECTOR AND THAT THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, THIS TIME AT A COST OF OVER $400.00 TIRES: WE HAVE JUST HAD TO REPLACE TWO FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA P205/60R15 90T M+S TIRES BECAUSE THE TREAD WAS COMING AWAY FROM THE SIDEWALL AT THE SEEM, IT WAS SO BAD THERE WERE SMALL FLAPS OF THE TREAD THAT STUCK STRAIGHT OUT LIKE SOMEONE HAD PEEL A BANANA.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/60R15 )

NHTSA ODI #729115

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000

Air BagsService Brakes, AirTires

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JUNE 98 AND BEFORE LEAVING THE LOT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD TO REPLACE BOTH OF THE REAR TIRES DUE TO DEFECTS. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT PROBLEM. THEREFORE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES IN FEB 2000. THIS WAS DUE TO THE TREAD SEPERATION AND EXTENSIVE WEAR. AT THE SAME TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE BAD AND THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE TIRES AND BRAKE JOB COST 481.93. NOW I HAD 2 FLAT TIRES ON THE SAME TIRE WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AND NOW THE BACK BRAKES NEED REPLACING. I FEEL THAT THESE REPAIRS ARE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO FORD FOR AT LEAST 6 MANUFACTURER RECALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. THE CAR SENSOR LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND REPLACED BUT IT STILL COMES ON ALL THE TIME. FROM MY RESAERCH ON THIS COMPONENT THIS COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO ENGAGE WITHOUT CAUSE. BETWEEN THE RECALLS, TIRE, AND THE BRAKES THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A VERY UNSAFE VECHILE. I WAS THINKING THAT THE PROBLEMS WERE NORMAL BUT AFTER HAVING ALL THESE RECALLS AND NOW THE RECALL ON SOME OF FIRESTONE TIRES I THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD LET SOMEONE KNOW OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD WITH MY CAR.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P20560R15 )

NHTSA ODI #728425

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2000

TiresFire

(3)OF THE FOUR TIRES SEPERATED WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL AT 7000MILES. DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY TWO OF THE TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #9001413

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2000

Power TrainSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

COIL SPRING ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF CAR BROKE. REPLACEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING WAS NECESSARY: SHOCK ABSORBER, CB SPRING, D BOOT, BEARING ASSEMNBLY, AA SEAT, MOUNTING ASSY, HALFSHAFT ASSEMBLY, CV JOINT ASSEMBLY, BRAKE SHOES, DISC BRAKE ROTOR, TIRES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723621

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 1999

EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicTires

CONSUMER SMELLS A MUSTY ODOR WHEN USING THE A/C. NLM

NHTSA ODI #550028

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1999

Tires

THE REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN WEARING OUT EVERY 5,000 MILES. 3 SETS OF REAR TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED WITHIN 15,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #838281

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 ↗