NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
85 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 25, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility
THIS CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE PAID TO GET FIXED SUCH AS THE AIR RIDE CONTROL COMPRESSOR, THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ALL FUSES, WIRING UNDER THE SEAT, LIGHTS ACROSS THE DASH, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE RADIATOR, TIMING CHAIN …
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THIS CAR HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE PAID TO GET FIXED SUCH AS THE AIR RIDE CONTROL COMPRESSOR, THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, ALL FUSES, WIRING UNDER THE SEAT, LIGHTS ACROSS THE DASH, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER WOULD NOT TURN OFF. OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WITHIN DAYS OF PURCHASE RADIATOR, TIMING CHAIN AND ALL OIL SEALS,DOOR HANDLES MECHINAM. I CAN NOW FEEL A RATTLE BENEATH MY FEET AS I DRIVE. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RECALL ON THIS CAR? MY MOTHER HAS ONE LIKE IT AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WHICH HAS EXTENDED TO THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #761216
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING DOWN A HILL AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *YH
NHTSA ODI #8008525
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, CAUSING IT TO SHAKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003303
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE DOES NOT OVERHEAT, BUT ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND RESTARTS AFTER 30 MINUTES. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #896657
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A (B) RECALL (00M09)ON JULY OF 2000 WITH APPROX. 50000 MI. ON IT FOR A POTENTIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MR. MACDONALD WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR SERVICING AT THAT TIME. APPROX. 3000 MI. LATER,THE CAR DEVELOPED OVER-HEATING AND HARD STARTING. IT WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID…
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THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A (B) RECALL (00M09)ON JULY OF 2000 WITH APPROX. 50000 MI. ON IT FOR A POTENTIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MR. MACDONALD WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR SERVICING AT THAT TIME. APPROX. 3000 MI. LATER,THE CAR DEVELOPED OVER-HEATING AND HARD STARTING. IT WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED.I FEEL THE DEALER/MFR. FAILED IN THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CORRECT THE SITUATION WHEN THEY COULD HAVE ON JULY 2000,THUS LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #751005
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A (B) RECALL (00M09)ON JULY OF 2000 WITH APPROX. 50000 MI. ON IT FOR A POTENTIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MR. MACDONALD WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR SERVICING AT THAT TIME. APPROX. 3000 MI. LATER,THE CAR DEVELOPED OVER-HEATING AND HARD STARTING. IT WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID…
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THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A (B) RECALL (00M09)ON JULY OF 2000 WITH APPROX. 50000 MI. ON IT FOR A POTENTIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MR. MACDONALD WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR SERVICING AT THAT TIME. APPROX. 3000 MI. LATER,THE CAR DEVELOPED OVER-HEATING AND HARD STARTING. IT WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED.I FEEL THE DEALER/MFR. FAILED IN THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO CORRECT THE SITUATION WHEN THEY COULD HAVE ON JULY 2000,THUS LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #751004
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE MOUNTS ARE FAILING. ALSO, THERE IS AN OIL LEAK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #894916
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
EMPERATURE NEEDLE GOES TO HOT, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL COOLANT/ WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT MACHINE THE GASKETS. ANY KIND OF HEAT WILL WARP GASKETS. CONSUMER FELT DEALER SHOULD HAVE MACHINED THE GASKETS BEFORE, AND THEY WSOULD NOT HAVE NOT WARPED THAT SOON. PLEASE PR…
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EMPERATURE NEEDLE GOES TO HOT, AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL COOLANT/ WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT MACHINE THE GASKETS. ANY KIND OF HEAT WILL WARP GASKETS. CONSUMER FELT DEALER SHOULD HAVE MACHINED THE GASKETS BEFORE, AND THEY WSOULD NOT HAVE NOT WARPED THAT SOON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893299
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
PERSISTANT OVERHEATING LAST TWO YEARS. JUST OVER ONE YEAR AGO HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND COVER BY FORD UNDER SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBER 00M09. OVERHEATING HAS RETURNED AND WORSENED TO POINT CAR OVERHEATS AFTER SHORT DRIVES. IN AN EFFORT TO FIND AND SOLVE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THE WATER PUMP/ RADIATOR/ THERMOSTAT AND COOLING FAN REPL…
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PERSISTANT OVERHEATING LAST TWO YEARS. JUST OVER ONE YEAR AGO HEAD GASKET REPLACED AND COVER BY FORD UNDER SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBER 00M09. OVERHEATING HAS RETURNED AND WORSENED TO POINT CAR OVERHEATS AFTER SHORT DRIVES. IN AN EFFORT TO FIND AND SOLVE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THE WATER PUMP/ RADIATOR/ THERMOSTAT AND COOLING FAN REPLACED. THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE HEAD GASKET OR HEAD ITSELF THAT IS THE PROBLEM. I TALKED TO FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO OTHER PROGRAM UNDER WHICH FORD OFFERED ASSISTED OTHER THAN THE ONE MENTIONED EARLIER. I TOLD THEM THE PROGRAM THEY OFFERED DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY INFORMATION AS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD AND THEY WOULD NOT COMMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT HE CONSISTENTLY WORKS ON CARS WITH THIS ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR OVERHEATING. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749496
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKET AND FRONT TIMING CASE WERE LEAKING. ALSO, BRAKE /PADS AND SHOES/ MACHINE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01, PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ONLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM AFTER THIS PROGRAM…
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WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKET AND FRONT TIMING CASE WERE LEAKING. ALSO, BRAKE /PADS AND SHOES/ MACHINE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER REGARDING SERVICE PROGRAM 98M01, PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. ONLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM AFTER THIS PROGRAM'S EXPIRATION DATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #886737
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
Jul 12, 1994
THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.
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
2EA96024 · 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
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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