Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 153 of 1,450 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Tires. Review the 570 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
195 crash reports37 fire reports179 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,450 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2000
Tires
THE FIRESTONE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL (OOT-005) DUE TO VIBRATION AND BLOWOUT WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PANEL AND DRIVERS DOOR. CONSUMER HAD PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION AND WENT TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER ON THREE OCC…
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THE FIRESTONE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL (OOT-005) DUE TO VIBRATION AND BLOWOUT WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PANEL AND DRIVERS DOOR. CONSUMER HAD PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION AND WENT TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WITHOUT REMEDY (1998-1999). *MJS
NHTSA ODI #557064
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2000
Tires
CONSUMER REPLACED FIRESTONE TIRE DUE TO IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR AND VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY WERE PURCHASED FROM A COMPETITOR PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. NLM
NHTSA ODI #557025
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STARTED ACCELLERATING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INOFRMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874228
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Suspension
NOISE WAS COMING FROM VEHICLE. BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874198
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Tires
FIRESTONE ATX TIRES EXPEREINCED SEPARATION FOLLOWED BY A BLOWOUT OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO OPPOSING LAND AND RUN OFF THE ROAD, AFTER THE CAR RAN OFF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER NUMEROUS TIMES, INJURIES ARE UNDER REVIEW (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). NLM
NHTSA ODI #556582
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2000
Electrical SystemSteering
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I LEASED IT AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DONE NOTHING TO TRY AND STOP THE PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE REFUSED ON ALL ACCOUNTS TO EVEN RIGHT UP A SERVICE COMPLAINT SO THERE WILL BE A RECORD OF THE TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY TAKEN OFF …
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I LEASED IT AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DONE NOTHING TO TRY AND STOP THE PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE REFUSED ON ALL ACCOUNTS TO EVEN RIGHT UP A SERVICE COMPLAINT SO THERE WILL BE A RECORD OF THE TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY TAKEN OFF THE ROAD YEARS AGO. THE DOOR LOCK IN THE REAR GOES UP AND DOWN AT RANDOM AND IT DOES IT REPEATLY UNTIL I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF BECAUSE I,M AFRAID IT WILL CATCH FIRE. THE TIRES STARTED WEARING THROUGH WHEN THERE WAS ONLY 30,000. MILES ON THEM, AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK UNLESS I HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT UP PAST THE P MARK ON THE COLUM AND I LIVE ON A FLAT PAVED ROAD. THE FORD COMPANY SAID IT WAS FROM PARKING ON A HILL. I LIVE IN SOUTH EAST GA, WE HAVE NO HILLS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #735350
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000
Tires
THE BELT OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE BROKEN RESULTING IN A ROUGH RIDE, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRE WERE PURCHASED FROM A COMPETITOR PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000. NLM
NHTSA ODI #557050
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000
Tires
FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00T-005. NLM
OWNER REPLACED ALL 3 TIRES DUE TO TREAD WEAR PRIOR TO RECALL(ONE TIRE REPLACED ON 7/13/98 TWO OTHERS ON 4/12/99) AND IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM FIRESTONE. *CJ
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.
THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
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
3
PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link
Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal
Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.
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