Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 339 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports29 fire reports25 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

339 reports

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Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER OR HELP IN ANY WAY TO REPLACE ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715027

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND THEN THE CLUTCH START MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND START SMELLING. THE RADIATOR HAS BEEN BOILING OVER AND I HAD A RADITOR REPAIR SHOP TO FIX IT THE FIRST TIME BUT IT START GETTING HOT AGAIN, AND I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY WORKED ON IT, BUT IT STILL KEPT GETTING HOT SO THEY FL…

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NHTSA ODI #714940

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

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AFTER FOLLOWING MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE FOR 3.5 YEARS, WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES (I.E. ENGINE OVERHEATING, LOSS OF COOLANT, LOSS OF POWER), APPROXIMATELY FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME ONE DAY, THERE WAS ROUGH IDLING AND WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO MY NEAREST FORD SERVICE CENTER, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 3 OTHER MODELS (WINDSTAR, TAURUS, AND SABLE) OF FORD OF THE SAME YEAR (1995) WITH THE 3.8 L ENGINES (RECALL 98-MO1) FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE FORD DEALER THAT FORD MOTOR CO., WILL NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 1995 MUSTANGS. I AM ALOS AWARE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER 1995 FORD MUSTANG OWNERS WITH NHTSA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT THE NHTSA EXERCISE IT'S AUTHORITY AND HOLD FORD MOTOR CO. ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT IN THE 1995 MUSTANG AND INCLUDE IT IN RECALL 98-MO1. PLEASE RESPOND ON YOUR PROPOSED ACTION ON THIS COMPLAINT ASAP AS I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (WHICH MAY EXCEED $2000) BY MY LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714839

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 1999

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH WITH A/C ON PULLED OFF FREEWAY AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS RUNNING A LITTLE BIT HOTTER THAN NORMAL. NOTICED THAT VEHICLE OVERHEATED. WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACT DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850483

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN ON MY MUSTANG PREMATURLY. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET, NOR IS IT PAID FOR YET. I SAW IN A REPORT THAT FORD HAS COVERED THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS OF FORDS, BUT WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP, SHE SAID THAT THEY DO NOT COVER MUSTANGS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714607

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE MOTOR WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND MAY HAVE RESULTED A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #852641

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE DUE TO OVERHEATING AND BLOWN HEAD GASKETS - COST $4600

NHTSA ODI #713889

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

DEALER REPLACED ELECTRIC FAN, THERMOCOUPLE AND LATER THE THERMOSTAT WHICH DID NOT FIX THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A BLOWN HEADGASKET. SO FAR THE COST OF REPAIRS IS OVER $6OO.OO WITH ANOTHER $1100.00 FOR THE HEADGASKETS.

NHTSA ODI #713238

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999

Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILED, WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR REPLACED. YH

NHTSA ODI #548960

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1999

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentStructure

FRONT END SUSPENSION SHIMMIES WHEN DRIVING. WOULD HAVE LOTS OF PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WOULD RUN HIGH. THE CD PLAYER WOULD COME ON OR STOP. WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISE. THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY DUE TO POWER LOCKS NOT WORKING. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *A…

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NHTSA ODI #850353

Official recalls

01V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Dec 21, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 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.

01V318000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 3, 2001

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 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.

00V349000 · Parking Brake:conventional

Oct 30, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. IF A VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT FULLY APPLIED AND NOT IN FIRST GEAR, AS DIRECTED IN THE OWNER GUIDE, AND THE SELF ADJUSTMENT PAWL SUBSEQUENTLY SKIPS ONE OR TWO TEETH, THE VEHICLE COULD MOVE ON SOME GRADES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL AND INSTALL A PLATE OR OVER-BRACKET TO THE CONTROL TO LOCK THE SELF ADJUST MECHANISM IN POSITION FOLLOWING ADJUSTMENT.

97V180000 · Structure:body:hood

Oct 20, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS. TEARING OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS DURING MINOR FRONT END COLLISIONS CAN RESULT IN A GAP AT THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. AIR FORCED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PANELS CAN PRODUCE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO FORCE THE OUTER PANEL UPWARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD AREA FOR ANY DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE HOOD. IF THERE IS ANY EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, THE HOOD WILL BE REPLACED. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF BOND SEPARATION, ADDITIONAL ADHESIVE WILL BE APPLIED BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER HOOD PANELS.

95V134000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Jul 17, 1995

THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WITH INCORRECT TAPER BALL STUDS. THE INCORRECT TAPERED BALL STUDS CAN FRACTURE WITHIN 50,000 MILES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FRACTURED BALL STUD CAN RESULT IN A NOTICEABLE SHAKE OR SHIMMY AND COULD CAUSE THE AFFECTED WHEEL TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND REPLACE THE INCORRECTLY TAPERED BALL STUDS.

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

EA98013 · Parking Brake

Opened May 27, 1998 · Closed Oct 31, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE97051 · Parking Brake Failure

Opened Dec 23, 1997 · Closed May 27, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE NUMBER OF CRASHES REPORTED TOT HE MANUFACTURER WARRANTS FURTHER THIS INVESTIGATION

EA97018 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment

Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Oct 22, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE97011 · Outer Hood Panel Detachment

Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION HAS RECEIVED 6 REPORTS INDICATING THE OUTER HOOD PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLES AS THEY WERE BEING DRIVEN.FORD HAS PROVIDE 39 ADDITIONAL REPORTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH ODI REPORTS.FORD INDICATES THAT THE LIKELY CAUSE IS PRIOR COLLISION DAMAGE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.