NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
34 reportsClear category filter175,000 miles · Jun 11, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR WASHED AND RUST PROOFED DURING THE WINTER EVER 2 WEEKS. LAST DECEMBER THE PAINT UNDER THE BOTTOM OF BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS STARTED HAVING THE PAINT BUBBLE UP ON BOTH ROCKER PANELS. IT STARTED BUBBLING UP THEN CURLING AND THE PAIN STARTED COMING OFF. IVE SEEN MANY OTHER COUGARS WITH THIS SAM…
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I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR WASHED AND RUST PROOFED DURING THE WINTER EVER 2 WEEKS. LAST DECEMBER THE PAINT UNDER THE BOTTOM OF BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS STARTED HAVING THE PAINT BUBBLE UP ON BOTH ROCKER PANELS. IT STARTED BUBBLING UP THEN CURLING AND THE PAIN STARTED COMING OFF. IVE SEEN MANY OTHER COUGARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FEEL IT IS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE PAINT THAT WAS USED OR SOMETHING MISSING FROM THE PAINT JOB THAT WAS DONE
NHTSA ODI #10724832
113,000 miles · Jun 2, 2009
Structure
SUNROOFS ON THE 1999 TO 2001 MERCURY COUGARS SEEM TO BREAK WITH ALOT OF FREQUENCY. ONE DAY THEY SEEM TO WORK AND THEN FOR NO REASON THEY BREAK. INCLUDED IS A WEBSITE WITH OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD/MERCURY SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW OF USING PLASTIC TRACKS FOR THE…
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SUNROOFS ON THE 1999 TO 2001 MERCURY COUGARS SEEM TO BREAK WITH ALOT OF FREQUENCY. ONE DAY THEY SEEM TO WORK AND THEN FOR NO REASON THEY BREAK. INCLUDED IS A WEBSITE WITH OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD/MERCURY SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW OF USING PLASTIC TRACKS FOR THE SUNROOF. HERE'S A LINK TO THE SITE WITH COMPLAINTS HTTP://WWW.COUGARSUNROOF.COM/ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272717
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2008
Structure
THE PLASTIC SUNROOF TRANSPORT MECHANISM HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME DURING THE LIFE OF THIS CAR (I AM THE ONLY OWNER). THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED EARLY IN MY OWNERSHIP AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT AGAIN CITING A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM IS A WELL KNOW…
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THE PLASTIC SUNROOF TRANSPORT MECHANISM HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME DURING THE LIFE OF THIS CAR (I AM THE ONLY OWNER). THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED EARLY IN MY OWNERSHIP AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT AGAIN CITING A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM IS A WELL KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT IN THE 1999 AND 2000 MODEL YEAR MERCURY COUGARS AND WAS ADDRESSED IN THE 2001 MODEL YEAR DESIGN. THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS IS UNCONSCIONABLE CONSIDERING THE FACTS REGARDING THIS WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT CLEAR KNOWLEDGE OF THESE ISSUES OF THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE SHOULD HAVE NECESSITATED A RECALL LONG PRIOR TO THIS AND BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A RECALL I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241104
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR AUTOMATIC V6. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. LIKE OTHER 1999 ' 2000 MERCURY COUGAR OWNERS I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAN CAN COST EFFECTIVELY BE FIXED. MY LIST OF BROKEN ITEMS I…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR AUTOMATIC V6. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. LIKE OTHER 1999 ' 2000 MERCURY COUGAR OWNERS I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAN CAN COST EFFECTIVELY BE FIXED. MY LIST OF BROKEN ITEMS INCLUDE THE RADIO, POWER WINDOW REGULATOR, O2 SENSORS, TRANSMISSION AT 59,000 MILES, DASHBOARD LIGHTS (LOW COOLANT AND CHECK ENGINE), DOOR/WINDOW LEAKY SEAL ISSUES, ENGINE MISFIRE (DECREASED ACCELERATION) AND NOW MY CRUISE CONTROL AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. UPON RESEARCHING THE RECALL FOR CRUISE CONTROL FIRES DEALING WITH FORD PRODUCTS I FOUND THAT I AM AMONG OTHER DISGRUNTLED COUGAR OWNERS. FORD/MERCURY OR FORD TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT DONE A SATISFACTORY JOB LETTING OWNERS KNOW OF RECALLS THAT NEED ATTENTION. MY LATEST CONCERN IS THAT MY COUGAR MIGHT START ON FIRE, PER MY COMPLAINT WITH FORD; THEY SEE NO THREAT WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE NHTSA WITH MY COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222903
200 miles · Jun 8, 2006
StructureInjury
1999 MERCURY COUGAR LEAKS WATER INTO HATCH AREA DIRECTLY ONTO THE INTERIOR EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING AND CONNECTIONS FOR TAIL LIGHTS AND HATCH RELEASE. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE SOURCE OF LEAK AND THEREFORE CANNOT REPAIR. MERCURY WILL NOT RELEASE BLUEPRINTS OF SHEET METAL LAYOUT TO HELP IN DETERMINING WHERE WATER LEAK MIGHT …
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1999 MERCURY COUGAR LEAKS WATER INTO HATCH AREA DIRECTLY ONTO THE INTERIOR EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING AND CONNECTIONS FOR TAIL LIGHTS AND HATCH RELEASE. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE SOURCE OF LEAK AND THEREFORE CANNOT REPAIR. MERCURY WILL NOT RELEASE BLUEPRINTS OF SHEET METAL LAYOUT TO HELP IN DETERMINING WHERE WATER LEAK MIGHT BE ORIGINATING. NEITHER DID MERCURY COVER DIAGNOSIS AND WILL NOT COVER REPAIR EVEN IF PROBLEM SOURCE WAS IDENTIFIED. SIGNIFICANT WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DIRECTLY ON EXPOSED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS COULD EASILY RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC FIRE HAZARD AND LOSS OF LIFE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10159319
89,899 miles · Apr 25, 2006
StructureUnknown Or Other
MOONROOF ON A 99 COUGAR DOESN'T WORK. WASN'T MUCH OF A PROBLEM UNTIL THE ROOF FLEW UP AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD OF THE PERSON BEHIND ME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156086
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2005
Structure
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE CONTACT'S SON DROVE THE VEHICLE THE HOOD LATCH BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP AND SHATTER THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED SERVICE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE …
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DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. WHILE CONTACT'S SON DROVE THE VEHICLE THE HOOD LATCH BROKE, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP AND SHATTER THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED SERVICE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10135460
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
1999 MERCURY COUGAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKERS, BATTERY EQUIPMENT, BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIND A MECHANIC W…
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1999 MERCURY COUGAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKERS, BATTERY EQUIPMENT, BRAKE EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER STATED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIND A MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED ALL FOR ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10119217
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. *MR THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THREE OCCASIONS. THERE WERE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A CREDITED AMOUNT OF FUNDS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BATTERY, BRAKES AND ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE NEW WHEELS WERE D…
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MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. *MR THE VEHICLE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THREE OCCASIONS. THERE WERE ALTERNATOR AND FUEL PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A CREDITED AMOUNT OF FUNDS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BATTERY, BRAKES AND ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE NEW WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE (CORRODED AND FROZEN), THE BRAKE SENSOR SNAPPED OFF OF THE WHEEL, THE CD PLAYER WAS SKIPPING, THE HATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE PROPERLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE, THE KEYLESS ENTRY WITH ANTI-THEFT WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS ROUGH IDLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD STICK, THE CUP HOLDER DID NOT SHUT, THE HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN, AND THE LIGHTS WOULD DIM AND OR BRIGHTEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10075877
33,000 miles · Apr 28, 2003
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineStructure
I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2003 WITH 32,000 MILES ON THE CAR. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THE ALTERNATOR DIED, WHICH IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. BUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT, MY POWER SUNROOF BROKE, WHICH IS ALSO A VERY COMMON PR…
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I OWN A 1999 MERCURY COUGAR. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2003 WITH 32,000 MILES ON THE CAR. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THE ALTERNATOR DIED, WHICH IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. BUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS AFTER THAT, MY POWER SUNROOF BROKE, WHICH IS ALSO A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE IT COST ME OVER $1200.00 WITH LABOR TO FIX. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY COUGAR OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SUNROOF BREAK BECAUSE THE 1999 AND 2000 COUGARS WERE MADE WITH PLASTIC RAILS THAT EASILY BREAK. THE 2001 AND 2002 COUGARS WERE MADE WITH METAL RAILS AND WORK FINE. THE PARTS THAT YOU ORDER NOW FOR THE 1999 AND 2000 COUGARS ARE METAL, SO MY QUESTION IS, WHY WASN'T THIS A RECALL, AND WHY SHOULD WE ALL HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND BREAKS ONLY BECAUSE IT IS POORLY MANUFACTURED? WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH MONEY I WOULD HAVE TO PUT INTO FIXING THE STOCK PARTS, SUCH AS THE ALTERNATOR, SUN ROOF, AND FUEL PUMP, AND REAR HATCH DOOR, WHICH ARE ALSO VERY COMMON PROBLEMS. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016632
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 ↗