Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 52 of 231 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
231 reports
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
IN JANUARY 2000, MY FAN STOPPED RUNNING AND MY ABS LIGHT WENT OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY AS I WAS ROLLING TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A PARKING LOT. MY SPEED WAS VERY SLOW, AS I WAS JUST STOPPING AT THE EXIT TO THE PARKING LOT. FORD COVERED THE FAN SWITCH, AS IT WAS UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY RESEARCHED AND STATED THE ABS MODULE HAD …
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IN JANUARY 2000, MY FAN STOPPED RUNNING AND MY ABS LIGHT WENT OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY AS I WAS ROLLING TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A PARKING LOT. MY SPEED WAS VERY SLOW, AS I WAS JUST STOPPING AT THE EXIT TO THE PARKING LOT. FORD COVERED THE FAN SWITCH, AS IT WAS UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY RESEARCHED AND STATED THE ABS MODULE HAD BLOWN, AND WAS IN NO WAY RELATED TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED WITH THE FAN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE FAN SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE ABS MODULE, AND TOLD ME THAT THE PART ALONE WAS $936.00 AND IT WOULD REQUIRE A HALF A DAY'S LABOR TO INSTALL. THE DEALER CHARGED ME 79.77 FOR RUNNING THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL GARAGE, AND HAD THE REPAIR DONE FOR $450.00. I WAS VERY ANGRY, AS MY WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THIS PART OR LABOR, AND I LEASE THE VEHICLE. THIS PART IS COVERED IN 3.4L MODELS, BUT NOT IN MY CAR. YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I APPROACHED MY HOME, THE LIGHTS DIMMED AND THE ABS LIGHT WENT OFF. MY FAN WAS NOT ON , THEREFORE, IT DID NOT BLOW. MY WIPERS AND LIGHTS WERE ON. I ASSUME THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ABS AS LAST TIME. I FEEL THAT THERE HAS TO BE SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SHORTING THIS MODULE OUT, AND I DO NOT WANT TO PAY MORE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS IF IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO OCCUR. I WENT THROUGH ALL OF THE CHANNELS I COULD AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY, TO NO AVAIL, THE FIRST TIME. I FEEL THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH MY CAR THAT COULD BE ELECTRICAL AND JUST MAY RESULT IN OTHER PROBLEMS. I LEASE THIS VEHICLE AND WILL BE DONE WITH IT IN FEBRUARY, HOWEVER, I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO EITHER DRIVE AROUND WITH MY ABS SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING, OR PAY MORE MONEY TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WOULD LOGICALLY SEEM TO BE A DEFECT OF THE CAR. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD OFFER ME WITH THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722546
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2000
Suspension
FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. FORD PROVIDED NO HELP. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861419
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL WAS RUNNING OUT 3 DAYS AT A TIME. HAD OIL CHANGED. VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AT STOP SIGN, BUT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. ALSO, . WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #861331
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING PULSATION WHILE BRAKING AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THERE IS A TSB BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861329
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsStructure
THE SUNVISOR IS DEFECTIVE. YH
NHTSA ODI #552003
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2000
Air BagsExterior LightingPower Train
CONSUMER IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NUMBER (6) OF RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #552002
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2000
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA RECALLS 00V075000 AND 99V103000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALLS 99S14 AND 00203 CONCERNING ABS BRAKES AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT THE RECALL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860879
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PRIOR TO RECALL THE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE FAILED (00V-075). YH
NHTSA ODI #551957
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2000
Suspension
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. NLM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN HIGH CORROSION ENVIRONMENTS. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CATCHER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 23, 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 1-866-436-7332.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WIRING PIGTAIL INSULATION CAN BECOME BRITTLE AND CRACK OVER TIME DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF WATER IN THE PIGTAIL PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES RELATED TO THE ROUTING OF THE WIRING PIGTAIL NEAR THE RADIATOR. THIS CAN RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS CRACKING OF THE INSULATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAN ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DISABLED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AIR BAG SENSORS WITH REVISED WIRING INSULATION. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WILL HAVE A NEW AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR INSTALLED.
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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
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
7
RQ02006 · 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
EA00025 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Oct 4, 2000 · Closed Jan 25, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE00027 · Fuel Expulsion During Refueling
Opened Jul 10, 2000 · Closed Oct 4, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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
SQ98002 · Fuel Gauge Does Not Read Below 1/4
Opened Jan 27, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
FORD'S SERVICE BULLETIN DATED DECEMBER 8, 1997, POINTS OUT THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT READ ABOVE 3/4 TANK OR BELOW 1/4 TANK OF FUEL.THE ERRONEOUS FUEL GAUGE READING WILL INDICATE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FUEL RESERVE THAN ACTUALLY PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK.ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS DUE TO A FALSE FUEL GAUGE READING.THIS INVESTIGATION WASTO ASCERTAIN FACTS CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE, SCOPE, AND RATIONAL FOR ELECTING NOT TO CONDUCT A SAFETY COMPAIGN.
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