NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
29 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Electrical SystemWheels
THERE IS CONSTANT CAR SHUTING OFF WHEN FIRST START. THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON. THE WINDOWS DO NOT LET DOWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR, EVEN ON COOL DAY. THE DOOR WON'T CLOSE AT TIMES, HAVE TO MESS WITH SCREWS. THE VENTS COVERS FALL OFF. BACK, LEFT WINDOW WILL NOT LET DOWN AT TIMES. LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, SOMETIMES STAYS …
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THERE IS CONSTANT CAR SHUTING OFF WHEN FIRST START. THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON. THE WINDOWS DO NOT LET DOWN. THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR, EVEN ON COOL DAY. THE DOOR WON'T CLOSE AT TIMES, HAVE TO MESS WITH SCREWS. THE VENTS COVERS FALL OFF. BACK, LEFT WINDOW WILL NOT LET DOWN AT TIMES. LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, SOMETIMES STAYS ON. WHEN A TRUCK PASSES, THE CAR SWIRVES/
NHTSA ODI #751035
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2001
Electrical System
HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY OUT.ALSO, CONSUMER CAN SMELL SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #889629
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED DUE TO MAKING NOISE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #785317
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2000
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. HAS BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON A LOT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876801
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL RELATED TO THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE, ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE PRIOR TO KNOWLEDGE (ALTERNATOR, THERMOSTAT, ENGINE SEALS, BELTS), CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL REPAIR DUE TO MILEAGE. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #554293
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Electrical System
WIRE TO STARTER CORRODED, DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, A KIT CAN BE PROVIDE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY THE DEALERS
NHTSA ODI #9000633
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Electrical SystemVisibility
SINCE THE DAY THE CAR WAS BOUGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY...AS IF THERE IS A SHORT. THEY WILL RESTART ONLY IF THEY ARE MANUALLY ASSISTED. NON-RELATED, THE CAR WILL STOP DEAD AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 MIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY SUMMER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 95 F AND THE CAR HAS DRIVE…
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SINCE THE DAY THE CAR WAS BOUGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY...AS IF THERE IS A SHORT. THEY WILL RESTART ONLY IF THEY ARE MANUALLY ASSISTED. NON-RELATED, THE CAR WILL STOP DEAD AND WILL NOT RESTART FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 MIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY SUMMER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 95 F AND THE CAR HAS DRIVEN 100 CONSECUTIVE MILES. THIS IS USUALLY A HIGHWAY DRIVING SITUATION AND HAS OFTEN LEFT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #711718
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO IDLE REALLY ROUGH. IN ADDITION, REPLACED DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS/ REBUILT TRANSMISSION, AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE STARTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838340
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 1999
Electrical System
CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING SHORT CIRCUITS IN 1996 WHICH CAUSED HEADLIGHTS TO SHUT DOWN AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DISTANCES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836186
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
SPEEDOMETER GIVES INACCURATE READINGS OVER 50 MPH, STICKS WHEN SPEED DECLINES. SERVICE TECH. TOLD ME"CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR THE OWNER OF A LATE MODLE FORD." MEANING: YOUR NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROB. EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE... RADIATOR SIDE TANKS PULLED APART IN COLD WEATHER, NORMAL ANTI FREEZE RATIO, ONCE AGAIN TOLD THIS HA…
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SPEEDOMETER GIVES INACCURATE READINGS OVER 50 MPH, STICKS WHEN SPEED DECLINES. SERVICE TECH. TOLD ME"CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR THE OWNER OF A LATE MODLE FORD." MEANING: YOUR NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROB. EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE... RADIATOR SIDE TANKS PULLED APART IN COLD WEATHER, NORMAL ANTI FREEZE RATIO, ONCE AGAIN TOLD THIS HAPPENS TO LATE MODEL FORD'S... BLOWER MOTOR CHIRPS IF YOU KEEP IT AT LOW OR MED.-LOW SPEEDS, ONLY STOPS WHEN ON MED-HIGH OR HIGH.
NHTSA ODI #704506
Official recalls
4Dec 16, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
Feb 26, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
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
4RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
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