Tires. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports8 fire reports30 injury reports

What owners actually said

411 reports

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 1998

Electrical SystemPower Train

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH WILL SHORT CIRCUIT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION FELL OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832774

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1998

SteeringCrash

BROTHER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE LOST POWER STEERING.- THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JUST TURN AROUND AND AROUND, CAUSING HIM TO HIT A BANK OF DIRT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #829711

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1998

Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVisibility

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMER( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/75R14 )

NHTSA ODI #700608

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 1998

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VIBRATION/PULSATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES DUE TO ROTORS CONSISTENTLY WARPING. DEALER CONTACTED TWICE, AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHICH STILL OCCURS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #829071

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1998

Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL FELL OFF, LEAVING CONSUMER STRANDED. COMPUTER PROGRAM IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE. DEALER HAD TO REPROGRAM COMPUTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828911

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1998

Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE AWAY FROM FIREWALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #781139

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1998

Power Train

VEHICLE DESIGN DOES NOT CONTAIN ENOUGH TORQUE TO PROCEED FORWARD ON ANY INCLINE.

NHTSA ODI #539748

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1998

Vehicle Speed Control

THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REV UP AND ACCLERATE AT A HIGH SPEED WITH NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #827505

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1998

Vehicle Speed Control

IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT DECELERATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

NHTSA ODI #539504

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1998

Suspension

POOR SUSPENSION SYSTEM CAUSING VIBRATION,BOUNCING AND UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE RESULTUNG IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #539501

Official recalls

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

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.

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

DP00005 · Front Seat Belt

Opened Oct 2, 2000 · Closed May 15, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE99045 · Steering Knuckle Separations

Opened Jul 6, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available