NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE STALLED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. PROBLEM CAUSED BY VAPOR LOCK, WHICH HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED DEALERS THAT THE USE OF "SUMMER BLEND" FUEL WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM. FORD HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A MORE PERMANENT FIX. *AK *…
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WHILE TRAVELING ENGINE STALLED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. PROBLEM CAUSED BY VAPOR LOCK, WHICH HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED DEALERS THAT THE USE OF "SUMMER BLEND" FUEL WOULD HELP THE PROBLEM. FORD HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A MORE PERMANENT FIX. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862298
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722914
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
KNOCKING NOISE HEARD AT 1500 RPM. DEALER SAID THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS BENT/CRACKED AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OWNER HAD TO DRIVE UNSAFE VEHICLE AROUND FOR ANOTHER WEEK WHILE DEALER WAITED FOR APPROVAL FROM FORD. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862077
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR IT DIDN'T MOVE. THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, REQUIRING OVERHAUL OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REPAIRS MADE AT OWNER'S COST. FORD AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861793
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS, AND HAVING RECEIVED SOME COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIRS I FEEL THE COMPENSATION IS INADAQUETE. IT DID NOT COVER MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. I HAD $3,416 IN REPAIR BILLS (REPLACED THE ENGINE) AND WAS REIMBURSED $2,900. THE DIFFERENCE WAS STATED AS BEING PARTS REPLACED WHICH FORD WOULD…
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AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS, AND HAVING RECEIVED SOME COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIRS I FEEL THE COMPENSATION IS INADAQUETE. IT DID NOT COVER MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. I HAD $3,416 IN REPAIR BILLS (REPLACED THE ENGINE) AND WAS REIMBURSED $2,900. THE DIFFERENCE WAS STATED AS BEING PARTS REPLACED WHICH FORD WOULD NOT COVER. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY A REPUTABLE SHOP AND NOT THROUGH FORD. I FEEL IF I HAD DONE THIS THROUGH FORD (WHICH QUOTED ME $3,900 FOR THE REPAIRS) THEY WOULD HAVE COVERED THE REPAIR COSTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722397
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
HEAD GASKET BLEW LEAVING ME STRANDED ON HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW RAPIDLY AS IF BRAKING LEAVING ME TO CROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER WHERE I WAS STRANDED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721819
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER $403.00 FOR A TIMING KIT. A FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS RECEIVED BY CONSUMER. WOULD LIKE FOR NHTSA TO HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860254
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON DASHBOARD. THEN THE ENGINE WILL STALL, AND ANTI-FREEZE WILL LEAK FROM HEAD GASKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859901
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CITY ACATUALL DISPOSED OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF CONTINUING OVERHEATRING OF THE ENGINE. IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED AS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, BUT AFTER RESEARCH AND RECENT PUBLICITY, I AM CONFIDENT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS OF THIS POOR VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720922
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
JUNE 1997 I WAS TOLD BY A 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ..ONE FROM PENSKE AUTO IN MILFORD MA, THE OTHER FROM BERADI AUTOMOTIVE IN MILFORD ...AFTER BRINGING IN A CAR FOR A PROBLEM WHERE MY CAR WOULD RUN HOT AT IDLE...THAT MY HEAD GASKET WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PENSKE WENT SO FAR TO BELIEVE IT ALREADY HAPPENED AND …
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JUNE 1997 I WAS TOLD BY A 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ..ONE FROM PENSKE AUTO IN MILFORD MA, THE OTHER FROM BERADI AUTOMOTIVE IN MILFORD ...AFTER BRINGING IN A CAR FOR A PROBLEM WHERE MY CAR WOULD RUN HOT AT IDLE...THAT MY HEAD GASKET WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PENSKE WENT SO FAR TO BELIEVE IT ALREADY HAPPENED AND MY BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THEY RECOMMENDED TAKING THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER FOR CHECK UP. ON 6/16/97, WITH ODOMETER SHOWING 53123 MILES, I TOOK THE CAR TO VALLEY FORD IN MILFORD. I TOLD THEM PENSKE THOUGHT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THIS WASN'T THE CASE. TO MY COMPLAINT THAT THE ENGINE RAN HOT AT IDLE, WITH A FLICKERING OIL LITE ONLY AT IDLE THEY CLAIMED THE GETTING HOTTER AT IDLE WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT MAKE AND THE LITE FLICKERING WAS DUE TO A "SENSITVE LITE". THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN HOT AT IDLE, SOMETIMES SMELLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO BERADI AUTOMOTIVE AND THEY REITERATED SOME DAY MY HEAD GASKET WOULD FAIL AND THEY HAVE "REPLACED A BUN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720735
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
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
4RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
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.
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