NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
156 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 13, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD GASKETS ARE GOING BAD AGAIN, VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY AND COOLANT FLUID WAS IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, HAD GASKETS REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO, CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK. CONSUMER STATED AFTER DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, RADIATOR FAILED, IDLE …
Read full complaint
CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD GASKETS ARE GOING BAD AGAIN, VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY AND COOLANT FLUID WAS IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS, HAD GASKETS REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO, CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK. CONSUMER STATED AFTER DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, RADIATOR FAILED, IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR, PCV FAILED, FUEL INJECTOR SEAL, IGNITION MODULE, STARTER MOTOR, AND EXHAUST GAS RECALCULATION (EGR) FAILED. *YD
NHTSA ODI #8000700
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. ALSO, POWER DOOR LOCKS BECAME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH AND STEERING COLUMN, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #899471
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2001
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, WARNING SIGNAL SOUNDS EVEN WHEN NO LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON AND KEYS ARE OUT OF IGNITION, LEADING TO THE THOUGHT OF A SHORT IN THE IGNITION.
NHTSA ODI #754041
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
VEHICLE PARKED. WAS TRYING TO JUMP START VEHICLE WITH A JUMPER KIT FROM K MART WHEN BATTERY EXPLODED IN OWNER'S FACE. CRACKED BATTERY HOUSING.*AK THE VEHICLE HEAD LITHTS BLINK OFF. *YD
NHTSA ODI #896769
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2001
Electrical System
MY 1993 TAURUS STARTED STALLING OUT IN JUNE 2000 CAUSIN ME TO LOSE THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. IT FIRST STARTED WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" COMING ON AND THEN CUTTING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED/ANYTIME ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND AT STOP SIGNS. IT WON'T START FOR ABO…
Read full complaint
MY 1993 TAURUS STARTED STALLING OUT IN JUNE 2000 CAUSIN ME TO LOSE THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. IT FIRST STARTED WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" COMING ON AND THEN CUTTING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED/ANYTIME ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND AT STOP SIGNS. IT WON'T START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER IT STALLS OUT. I HAVE EVEN CHANGED FUEL AT DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THINKING IT WAS WATER OR TRASH IN THE LINE BUT THE PROBEM DIDN'T GO AWAY. I HAVE HAD FUEL PRESSURE TESSTS, THROTTLE BODY WORK, FUEL INJECTION SERVICE DONE SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. BEEN TO OTHER MECHANIC SHOPS AND DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP OR THE TRANSMISSION OR NO PROBLEM FOUND. ONE OF THE MECHANCIS TOLD ME IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS THE IGNITION MODULE AND SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A DEALER. IN AUGUST 2001, I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND HAD THE FUEL INJECTION SERVICE DONE, VALVES REPLACED AND WAS TOLD THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT DIDN'T. THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT IS STILL SLUGGISH ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO EXCELERATE. AUGUST 2001 HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP PUT ON AND 2 DAYS AFTER THAT THE CAR STALLED OUT AGAIN. SINCE THE NEW FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN IN PLACE THE CAR HAS STALLED 5 TIMES IN TRAFFIC. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AT HAVING TO PAY FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CLOSE CALLS FOR A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. PLEASE HAVE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY OWN CAR AS LONG AS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS.
NHTSA ODI #751505
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2001
Electrical System
FOR THE PAST YEAR MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING. AT FIRST IT STARTED IN THE WINTER OF 2000 OCCASIONALLY, BUT WHEN THE SPRING HIT. IT WAS STALLING ALL THE TIME. I HAVE TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAS REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, FUEL PUMP ( TWICE ). CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND MY VEHICLE IS STILL STALLING. I HAVE NOTICED AN ARTICLE…
Read full complaint
FOR THE PAST YEAR MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING. AT FIRST IT STARTED IN THE WINTER OF 2000 OCCASIONALLY, BUT WHEN THE SPRING HIT. IT WAS STALLING ALL THE TIME. I HAVE TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC WHO HAS REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, FUEL PUMP ( TWICE ). CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND MY VEHICLE IS STILL STALLING. I HAVE NOTICED AN ARTICLE UNDER USATODAY.COM WHEREBY JUDGE BALLACHEY HAS ORDERED FORD TO REPLACE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES IN CALIFORNIA. COULD THIS BE MY PROLEM? IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY..PLEASE RESPOND TO ADVISE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #750722
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR 2 HOURS A FIRE IGNITED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #892274
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Electrical System
FIRST IGNITION MODULE WENT OUT AT APPROX. 67,000 MILES, THE NEXT ONE AT ABOUT 97,000, AND THE THIRD ONE WENT OUT AT 104,800 MILES. IN ALL THREE REPAIRS, THE PICK-UP COIL WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE CAR RAN WELL AFTER EACH REPAIR - FOR A WHILE! NOW, ONLY 1200 MILES AFTER THE THIRD MODULE REPLACEMENT, THE MODULE HAS FAILED AGAIN. DESPI…
Read full complaint
FIRST IGNITION MODULE WENT OUT AT APPROX. 67,000 MILES, THE NEXT ONE AT ABOUT 97,000, AND THE THIRD ONE WENT OUT AT 104,800 MILES. IN ALL THREE REPAIRS, THE PICK-UP COIL WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE CAR RAN WELL AFTER EACH REPAIR - FOR A WHILE! NOW, ONLY 1200 MILES AFTER THE THIRD MODULE REPLACEMENT, THE MODULE HAS FAILED AGAIN. DESPITE A COURT ORDERED RECALL (WHICH FORD IS APPEALING) FORD CONTINUES TO SELL DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULES BOTH THROUGH THEIR DEALERS AND THROUGH INDEPENDANT PARTS STORES. WE ARE FRUSTRATED AT HAVING TO PAY EXHORBITANT PRICES FOR THIS INFERIOR PART AGAIN AND AGAIN. WE HAVE RETAINED ALL REPAIR BILLS EXCEPT THE FIRST (IGNITION MODULE) ONE, BUT IT MAY BE A LONG TIME BEFORE THE APPEALED CASE GETS TO COURT. WE WOULD LIKE FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION NOW. *AK
NHTSA ODI #747115
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND SMKE BILLOWED FROM THE HOOD. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OFF THE ROAD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #747109
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2001
Electrical System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND GOES OFF SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE IDLES ERRATICALLY AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING DUE TO INTEMITTENT FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE BECAUSE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WANTS INVESTIGATION REGARDING PARTS SHORTAGE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *YH
NHTSA ODI #561606
Official recalls
6Dec 16, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
May 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
Feb 26, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
Jan 4, 1993
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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
13RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA99023 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 6, 1999 · Closed Jun 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ODI has received 50 additional complaiints on MY 1993 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles alleging malfunction of the windshield wiper system including; intermittent or complete stoppage of wiper sweeping; inadequate sweep speed; and other general complaints of poor performace.In some cases, the owner alleges havingto leave the roadway or roll down the window and manually restart the sweeping motion of the wiper arms.Other complaints allege that the wiper sweeps too slowly at the maximum speed setting resulting in inadequate vision during heavy precipition.Some complaints allge repeated wiper system malfunctions despirt having their vehicles serviced at Ford dealerships of replacement of the multi-function switch and/or wiper motor.Ford provided its response to an Information Request Letter indicating that the same wiper motor is used on the MY 1987-1993 Taurus and Sable; however, warranty and complaint data show that the MY 1993 is over represented and may warrant particular attention.An Engineering Ananlysis is necessary to determine if a potential safety defect exists.
PE99015 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 24, 1999 · Closed Aug 6, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING
EA97026 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1997 · Closed May 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
PE97035 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Nov 26, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Front Suspension coil springs may fracture with the vehicle in motion, posing a potential compromise to the driver's ability to control the vehicle.
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
PE96018 · Headlights Failure
Opened Mar 5, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
There is no summary currently available
DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks
Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
Illustration