NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
638 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 26, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE NOTICED THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER (COX FORD, HAMPSTEAD, MD). THEY INFORMED US THAT OUR PROBLEM WAS TWOFOLD. FIRST THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING, AND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DETERIORATED. AFTER DOING SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WITH PHONE CON…
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WE NOTICED THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER (COX FORD, HAMPSTEAD, MD). THEY INFORMED US THAT OUR PROBLEM WAS TWOFOLD. FIRST THEY SAID THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING, AND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DETERIORATED. AFTER DOING SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WITH PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS (REF: TSB #92M77 JUN 95). INITIALLY THE FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CLERK INDICATED THAT THIS WORK WOULD BE PERFORMED WITH NO PROBLEM. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, WE WERE NOTIFIED BY ANOTHER FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CLERK THAT THIS PARTICULAR RECALL WAS SUBJECT TO A 60,000 MILE LIMITATION (THIS WAS NOT INDICATED ON THE INTERNET SITE OR BY THE FIRST CLERK). FURTHER MORE, DISCUSSIONS WITH A SERVICE MANAGER FROM ANOTHER LOCAL FORD DEALER HAD INDICATED THAT FORD HAS HAD A LOT OF PRE-MATURE FAILURES WITH THE 3.8L HEAD GASKETS AND THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT POSSIBILITY THAT THE EXCESSIVE SHOCK AND VIBRATIONS FROM THE BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ESTIMATED REPAIRS FOR THIS PRE-MATURE FAILURE IS GOING TO COST ME AS MUCH AS $2000.00 ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. ANY INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA ODI #700112
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ENGINE MOUNTS TWISTED AND BROKE OFF WHICH ALMOST CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829404
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
MANIFOLD HOSE ASSEMBLY PIPE IN THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT FAILED DUE TO RUST, THE A/C UNIT WAS DAMAGED DUE TO FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #542183
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION / HEAD GASKET FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #781360
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE HEAD GASKET LEAKED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #781356
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRVING CONSUMER NOTICED TEMPERATURE GUAGE WAS GOING FROM HOT TO COLD. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT BOTH REAR HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN ON THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828878
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE RUNS HOT; LOSS OF ENGINE COMPRESSION ; AND EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE.
NHTSA ODI #781013
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AT 30,000 MILES, AND WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND BROKE AGAIN AT 82,000, DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM, AND THAT THE SECOND REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828579
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO GO ANY FASTER THE VEHICLE JUST DIES OUT WITHOUT GIVING ANY WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES AND DEALER CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828464
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringVisibility
HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND DEALER CHARGED TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, AND THE DEALER WAS GIVING HIM THE RUN AROUND. *AK WIPER MOTOR STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW, DEALER REPLACED MULTI SWITCH. 2 OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED A…
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HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND DEALER CHARGED TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING WAY BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, AND THE DEALER WAS GIVING HIM THE RUN AROUND. *AK WIPER MOTOR STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDOW, DEALER REPLACED MULTI SWITCH. 2 OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED AND SET TOE DUE TO LOOSE STEERING. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #828421
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
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