NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
13 reportsClear category filter146,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE ELECTRONIC REMOTE THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL OPEN ITSELF WITHOUT USING THE HANDLE TO MANUALLY OPEN IT.THIS IS A FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON LX MODEL PURCHASED IN 1994. THE REASON I CHECKED PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS BECAUSE A GUY AT A FIRESTONE TIRE PLACE HAD THE CAR AND IT POPED OPEN ON HIM AS…
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WHEN YOU UNLOCK THE DOORS USING THE ELECTRONIC REMOTE THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL OPEN ITSELF WITHOUT USING THE HANDLE TO MANUALLY OPEN IT.THIS IS A FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON LX MODEL PURCHASED IN 1994. THE REASON I CHECKED PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS BECAUSE A GUY AT A FIRESTONE TIRE PLACE HAD THE CAR AND IT POPED OPEN ON HIM AS HE STARTED THE CAR AND DIDN'T KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND THE DOOR OPENED WIDE AS HE WAS TAKING THE CAR OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP. THE DOOR WILL ALSO OPEN AS YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT UNLOCKS ALL THE DOORS. WHEN THE UNLOCK OPERATION HAPPENS IS WHEN THE DOOR WILL OPEN BY ITSELF. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10083026
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2001
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
CERTAIN LIGHTS AND FUSES WOULD GO OUT ON VEHICLE, BECAUSE OF TAILGATE DOOR OPENING/CLOSING, AND WIRES MAKING CONTACT WITH METAL, AND WHEN THEY ARE ALL FUSED TOGETHER IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE.*AK WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT INSULATED AND MAKES CONTACT WITH METAL AND BURNS. *YH
NHTSA ODI #880101
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Latches/locks/linkagesVisibility
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HOOD DEFECTIVE DOUBLE LATCH BECAME UNHOOKED, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY OPEN, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH, AND RESULTING IN $5,000 DAMAGE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK AS THE RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDSHIELD WAS TOTALLY SHATTERED. *YH
NHTSA ODI #868347
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WERE MISALIGNED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #552588
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE. YH
NHTSA ODI #549862
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
HEAD GASKET,TIMING CHAIN COVER AND WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE OF COOLANT. YH
NHTSA ODI #549289
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages
CONSUMER COULD NOT EXIT VEHILCE DUE TO A BROKEN DOOR LOCK CLIP. NLM
NHTSA ODI #547245
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages
VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR RECALL 98V-009, DEALERSHIP SAID VEHICLE WAS FINE, WITHIN 3 1/2 MONTHS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE COMPONENT AND WAS DENIED SERVICES PER RECALL. MJS
NHTSA ODI #546511
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1997
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkages
AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER FAN WAS MAKING NOISES AT LOW SPEED. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY, THEN AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, COMPONENT FAILED AGAIN. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED, DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AT ALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523269
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1997
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE, AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE DOOR CLOSES IT DOESN'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY. WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON, THE DOOR WILL OPEN UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AND WHEN THE DOOR FINALLY CLOSES THE DOOR WILL NOT REOPEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #814991
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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