Electrical System. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports3 fire reports21 injury reports

What owners actually said

454 reports

66,170 miles · Jan 15, 2004

Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK INTERMITTENTLY. IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10054205

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050391

36,500 miles · Dec 4, 2003

Exterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY HAD CONDENSATION WHICH DIMMED THE LIGHTS. ALSO THE WIPER MOTOR FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 36,000 MILES AND THERE WERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS PRIOR TO 50,000 MILES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10049192

46,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003

Visibility

Read full complaint

SUNROOF OPENS WHEN SWITCH IS PUSHED. THEN WHEN SWITCH IS PUSHED THE SUNROOF WILL NOT CLOSE. YOU CAN HEAR THE MOTOR TRYING TO WORK TO CLOSE THE SUNROOF BUT IT JUST NEVER HAPPENS. AFTER WAITNG A FEW HOURS TO A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN TRY TO CLOSE THE SUNROOF BY PUSHING THE SWITCH, THE SUNROOF WILL CLOSE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE ENTIRE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE BECASUE IF THE MOTOR WORKS TO OPEN THE SUNROOF, THEN IT SHOULD WORK TO CLOSE THE SUNROOF.

NHTSA ODI #10046823

90,000 miles · Nov 5, 2003

Electrical System

VEHICLE HAD BATTERY PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATED THAT MECHANIC TOLD HIM THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE.*AK UNDER ANY ACCELERATION (LIGHT OR HEAVY) THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON. IT ALSO TURNED ON OCCASIONALLY WHILE CRUISING. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY A SHORT SOMEWHERE THAT HE COULD NOT FI…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10042078

30,000 miles · Oct 14, 2003

Tires

CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT TIRES WERE WEARING OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARD. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS OTHER THAN VEHICLE RIDING ROUGH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042890

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2003

Exterior Lighting

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF AT STEVEN'S FORD INC. ON 9/17/03 TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHTS REPAIRED. MY ELDERLY PARENTS HAVE LOANED ME THEIR VEHICLE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I HAVE 3 YOUNG DAUGHTERS TO SUPPORT AND DO NOT WANT TO CHANCE LOSING MY JOB; HOWEVER, MY FOLKS ARE GETTING STRESSED NOT HAVING A CAR TO GET TO THEIR SENIOR ACTIVITIES. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD (MERCURY) CORP. REGARDING THIS MATTER AND I'M TOLD THAT SHIPMENT OF THE PART NEEDED WILL BE MADE ON OCT. 31, 2003 - TO BE RECEIVED BY DEALERS BY 11/25/03. I FIND THIS VERY RIDICULOUS TO WAIT 2 AND A HALF MONTHS FOR A VEHICLE REPAIR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO RENT A CAR; NOR CAN MY PARENTS - WHO LIVE ON SS BENEFITS. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10041808

79,000 miles · Oct 2, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND PARKED, AND THEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC STATED THAT MOTOR NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042229

66,600 miles · Oct 1, 2003

Air Bags

WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO CONTACTED BUT STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10037861

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2003

Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10040753

Official recalls

04V421000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Aug 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.

01V230000 · Electrical System

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.

01V031000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

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.

01V032000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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.

00V075000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

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.

99V226000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

99V194000 · Vehicle Speed Control

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA01001 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness

Opened Jan 5, 2001 · Closed Jul 31, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

Electrical System

There is no summary currently available