NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
185 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentVehicle Speed Control
AIR CONDITIONER INDICATOR IS NOT ILLUMINATING ON DASH WHEN LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. ALSO, DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING . CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT PROBLEM, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO VIN. PROBLEMS WITH RADIATOR ALSO OCCURRED, AND MAN…
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AIR CONDITIONER INDICATOR IS NOT ILLUMINATING ON DASH WHEN LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. ALSO, DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING . CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT PROBLEM, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO VIN. PROBLEMS WITH RADIATOR ALSO OCCURRED, AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPAIR THAT PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE VIN# DID NOT APPLY TO THAT RECALL EITHER. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT DEALER. DEALER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #891417
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL.*JB
NHTSA ODI #561677
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE STALLED, WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF HOOD, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT SMELL, DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM WAS THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AND BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT REPLACED VEHICLE OVERHEATED CAUSING THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW CAUSING COOLANT TO GO INTO THE CYLINDER. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #561408
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001
Power Train
I DON'T HAVE AN ESTIMATE ON TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. TRANSMISSION WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WENT IT WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER, IT IS NOW INOPERABLE. I AM LOOKING INTO POSSIBLE TAMPERING WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NO INTENTION OF PAYING FOR THIS DAMAGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745878
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
00V 367 00/ENGINE COOLING FAN: ENGINE COOLING FAN WAS ON FIRE WHILE PULLING IN PARKING SPACE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #889120
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2001
Electrical SystemPower Train
COMPUTER AT MECHANIC SHOW MAJOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECTS-IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS AS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND FORD CONTOUR. FORD/MERCURY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING-ALSO THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT QUIT OFTEN-HAD A NEW ONE AT 50,000 MILES-HAS HAD MANY RECALLS ALREADY AND NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED ON THIS C…
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COMPUTER AT MECHANIC SHOW MAJOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECTS-IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS AS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND FORD CONTOUR. FORD/MERCURY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING-ALSO THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT QUIT OFTEN-HAD A NEW ONE AT 50,000 MILES-HAS HAD MANY RECALLS ALREADY AND NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED ON THIS CAR-WINDOWS DONT GO DOWN (DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT)
NHTSA ODI #745495
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Power Train
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM. LAST TIME HE BROUGHT VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP WAS LAST YEAR IN JUNE , 2000. CURRENTLY, WHEEL BEARINGS MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #888539
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
FIRST ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY, DEALERSHIP FAILED TO ACKNOWLEGE ENGINE FAILURE AND INSISTED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY. ENGINE FAILED AGAIN AFTER PICKING UP CAR FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY HAD IT 3 DAYS. HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED AND ENGINED FAILED AGAIN. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONS…
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FIRST ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY, DEALERSHIP FAILED TO ACKNOWLEGE ENGINE FAILURE AND INSISTED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY. ENGINE FAILED AGAIN AFTER PICKING UP CAR FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER THEY HAD IT 3 DAYS. HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED AND ENGINED FAILED AGAIN. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA ODI #745319
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE WAS THEN PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND A HORRIBILE SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER WAS THEN ADVISED THAT ONLY A BATTERY WAS NEEDED AND SAID NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG, AFTER THREE DAYS OF DEAL…
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ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE WAS THEN PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND A HORRIBILE SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER WAS THEN ADVISED THAT ONLY A BATTERY WAS NEEDED AND SAID NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG, AFTER THREE DAYS OF DEALERSHIP HAVING THE VEHICLE AND NOT TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE THE SMELL AND SMOKE CONSUMER PICKED VEHICLE UP, ON THE WAY HOME THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND IT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AFTER THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPAIRED, THE ENGINE STILL SOUNDED BAD, SO CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CYLINDER WAS BAD, CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT REPAIRED THE HEAD GASKET AND WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT CYLINDER WAS BAD, ON THE WAY HOME THE ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE WAS TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACED THE BATTERY,DEALERSHIP TOLD CUSTOMER THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAD REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG, DEALERSHIP STATES THEY ONLY DID WHAT THEY WERE TOLD TO DO AND THAT WAS TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #785418
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE STALLING WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPS EXCEEDS 85 DEGREES AND THE A/C IS ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER TAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE CLUCH IS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE IS ALLOWED TO IDLE. THE ENGINE INTERMITTENLY WILL IMMEDIATELY STALL. THIS CAUSES A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AND POWER STEERING. THIS H…
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I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE STALLING WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPS EXCEEDS 85 DEGREES AND THE A/C IS ON. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AFTER TAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE CLUCH IS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE IS ALLOWED TO IDLE. THE ENGINE INTERMITTENLY WILL IMMEDIATELY STALL. THIS CAUSES A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING AND POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A DAY WHEN TEMPS ARE OVER 85. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 1997. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR 4 TIMES AND HAS TRIED FIXING THE A/C TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THE I NEED TO BRING THE CAR IN WHILE IT IS STALLING?
NHTSA ODI #744429
Official recalls
7Jul 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.
Nov 6, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.0L AND 2.5L ENGINES, AND 1996 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. TIGHTENING OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR BEARINGS, UP TO AND INCLUDING MOTOR STALL, CAN RESULT IN INCREASED MOTOR TORQUE AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL MOTOR CURRENT AND ACCOMPANYING HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE COOLING FAN MOTOR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CURRENT CAN RESULT IN SMOKE AND ODORS FROM BEARING GREASE, INSULATION AND OTHER INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS. IF ELECTRICAL CURRENT CONTINUES TO BE APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, INTERNAL MOTOR COMPONENTS COULD IGNITE POSSIBLY IGNITING OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE IN-LINE WITH EACH FAN MOTOR. FORD WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2001.
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.
Sep 13, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE MAY HAVE LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OZONE RESISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE HOSE BECOMING BRITTLE AND CRACKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A CRACKED HOSE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING FUELED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL FILLER VENT HOSE CONTACTING THE APPROPRIATE BLEND OF PVC AND NITRILE RUBBER.
May 5, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.
Sep 18, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.
Dec 8, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OPTION. THE THROTTLE CABLES WERE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO FRAYING OR SEPARATION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BENDING OR KINKING DURING INSTALLATION.
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
5RQ02006 · Incorrect Gear Indication
Opened Feb 26, 2002 · Closed Sep 12, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
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
PE00023 · Blower Switch/resistor Or Wiring Harness
Opened Jun 14, 2000 · Closed Jan 5, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ99019 · Various Intermittent Electrical Issues
Opened Sep 15, 1999 · Closed Mar 7, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
There is no summary currently available
PE98063 · Headlight Switch
Opened Dec 3, 1998 · Closed May 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
ODI OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON DECEMBER 3, 1989 BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, ALL OF WHICH MENTIONED CONCERNS CENTERED ON THE DASHBOARD-MOUNTED HEADLIGHT SWITCH.THESE CONCERNS INCLUDED AN ALLEGATION OF THE SWITCH CATCHING FIRE, AN ALLEGATION OF HEADLIGHT LOSS, AND THREE ALLEGATIONS OF INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHT OUTAGES.THREE OF THE REPORTS SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND ITS ASSOCIATED WIRING AS HAVING BEEN HEAT DAMAGED.FORD INVESTIGATIONS HAVE FOUND THAT OVERHEATING OF AN ELECTRICAL TERMINAL AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSES LOSS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS.FORD WILL REMEDY THIS CONDITION IN 1996-1998 MODEL CONTOUR AND MYSTIQUE VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM APRIL 20, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 12, 1998 AND AT THE CAUTITLAN, MEXICO ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM JUNE 13, 1995 THROUGH AUGUST 24, 1998 UNDER RECALL 99V-103.THE REMEDY INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTOR AND IF NECESSARY, THE SWITCH ITSELF.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS CLOSED.
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