NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
50 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 24, 2002
Power Train
TRANSMISSON HAS FAILED. I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO ADVISED THEM OF THE JURKING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ALSO ADVISED THEM THAT THE COOLANT LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AS OF NOW I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE …
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TRANSMISSON HAS FAILED. I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO ADVISED THEM OF THE JURKING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ALSO ADVISED THEM THAT THE COOLANT LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALER HAS CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AS OF NOW I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WAS ADVISED BY SALES REP THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD BE WORKED INTO MY PAYMENTS HOWEVER THIS IS NOT STATED IN THE CONTRACT. NOT TO MENTION THE BRAKES GRIND WHEN BACKING UP IN THE VEHICLE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE 3 MONTHS AGO AND THE BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY $2700.00 TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #761147
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Electrical SystemPower Train
THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME. THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER INSTALLED LAST MONTH WAS BAD WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ITS NEX…
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THE SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME. THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER INSTALLED LAST MONTH WAS BAD WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ITS NEXT OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INCIDENTS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES EVEN WITH ITS HISTORY, AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER COUGARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760619
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2001
Exterior LightingPower Train
BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO GET VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF GEAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895172
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Exterior LightingPower Train
THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ,AND ITS HARD TO GET VEHICLE IN AND OUT OF GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #895079
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001
Power Train
INTERMITTENT ENGINE RACING TO 3000-3500 RPM, WHEN CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, WHICH LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AND INTERMITTENT OVERDECELERATION (AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) THAT RELEASES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS TAPPED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #750220
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SUDDENLY ANDWITHOUT WARNING AS THOUGH SOMEONE SHUT KEY OFF, AND THEN EVERYTHING LOCKS UP/ LOSS OF POWER OCCURS, AND CANNOT EVEN SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. DEALER HAS REPLACED STARTER, BUT IT DID NOT FIX DEFECT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893770
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Power Train
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE LEAKAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH VENT AND UP THROUGH DIPSTICK, EJECTING ENOUGH FLUID WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO RENDER VEHICLE INOPERABLE WITHIN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. THIS MAJOR LEAK OCCURRED UPON PARKING OF VEHICLE, BUT MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE WHILE DRIVING. A FORD-ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULL…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE LEAKAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH VENT AND UP THROUGH DIPSTICK, EJECTING ENOUGH FLUID WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO RENDER VEHICLE INOPERABLE WITHIN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. THIS MAJOR LEAK OCCURRED UPON PARKING OF VEHICLE, BUT MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE WHILE DRIVING. A FORD-ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REPORTEDLY RECOGNIZES THE VENT DESIGN AND SIDE COVER DESIGN ON THIS MODEL AS DEFICIENT/FLAWED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT WITH NEWLY DESIGNED PARTS (RELATED SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBERS MAY BE: 99249, 12119, 985136 - I HAVE NOT SEEN THE ACTUAL TSB). SAFETY CONCERNS ARE OBVIOUS; SLIPPING/FALSE SHIFTING OF TRANSAXLE WHILE DRIVING, SLIPPING OR FAILING TO FULLY ENGAGE WHEN DEPARTING A PARKED POSITION, DANGER FROM LEAKED FLUID ITSELF, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION, ETC. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT AT ITS OWN EXPENSE. MINE IS A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL MILEAGE VEHICLE FOR THIS YEAR, AND MAY BE ONLY THE FIRST OF MANY THAT WILL EXPERIENCE THESE DANGERS AS THEY REACH THIS LEVEL. OUT-OF-POCKET REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT ARE APPROXIMATELY $350-500 FOR THE CONSUMER; LESS THAN $25 IN PARTS AND 4-5 HOURS LABOR FOR THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #747064
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2001
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A STARTING PROBLEM, IT WOULD CRANK EXCESSIVELY BEFORE STARTING, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT THAT ONLY TEMPORARILY SOLVED THE PROBLEM AS IT RETURNED SHORTLY AFTER REPLACING THE PUMP. NLM
NHTSA ODI #560235
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2001
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS, RADIATOR LIGHT ON, THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKING, ENGINE MISFIRE LIGHT BLINKING, ALARM SYSTEM GOING OFF AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP IT, JUST HAVING TO LET TIME END THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE DEALERSHIP IN NOT ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *CJ
NHTSA ODI #559434
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train
1. PART WITHIN TRANSMISSION WAS MISSING 2. FAULTY AIRBAG SENSOR IS BLINKING INDICATING A DEFECT 3.WIRING HARNESS MELTED, POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #879109
Official recalls
7Aug 30, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION OF THE FILTER IN THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) CAN REDUCE, AND EVENTUALLY BLOCK, THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION, LOSS OF POWER, SURGING, AND OTHER SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. OVER TIME, THE FILTER MAY BECOME SUFFICIENTLY BLOCKED TO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FDM WITH A NEW DESIGN AT NO CHARGE IF THE OWNER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS ANY OF THE IDENTIFIED SYMPTOMS. THE FREE REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, WITH NO MILEAGE LIMIT. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Jul 9, 2001
ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Feb 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES. THE BATTERY CABLE WAS MISROUTED AND ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE ALTERNATOR CABLE WAS UNDER-TORQUED. IF MISROUTED, THE CABLE COULD CONTACT THE POWER STEERING LINE AND THE INSULATION COULD WEAR, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SHORT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE, STALLING, OR A NO-START CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BATTERY CABLE TO THE ALTERNATOR FOR DAMAGE AND, IF IT IS DAMAGED, WILL REPLACE THE CABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE WILL BE CORRECTED, AS NECESSARY, AND A ROUTING CLIP WILL BE ADDED. ALSO THE TORQUE ON THE ALTERNATOR ATTACHMENT OF THE CABLE WILL BE CHECKED AND, AS REQUIRED, WILL BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Feb 6, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH TERMINALS COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE EITHER A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED BRAKE LAMPS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STOP LAMP EXTENSION HARNESS WITH BRONZE TERMINALS AT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH CONNECTOR, AND ALSO INSPECT THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FOR SIGNS OF OVERHEATING AND REPLACE, AS REQUIRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Mar 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.
Aug 18, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DOOR LATCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A LATCH PAWL THAT HAS A COATING WHICH WILL SWELL IN HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS. THE LATCH PAWL MAY THEN STICK IN THE OPEN OR UNLATCHED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN THE DOOR OPENING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED SIDE DOOR LATCH.
Jul 20, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A BURR ON OR NEAR THE END OF THE CABLE SLEEVE INTERIOR. THIS BURR COULD FRAY THE CORE WIRE RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR NOT RETURNING TO IDLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE STICKING, BINDING, OR CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT HAS A FLARED CONDUIT SLEEVE END AND MOLDED ON END FITTING.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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