NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
142 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE EXPERINCED OVERHEATING W/ MY CAR FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED AND SHOWED IT WAS FINE NOW I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 90,000 MILES AFTER PAMPERING THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR STALLED , I RESTARTED AND A BLUE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE RE…
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I HAVE EXPERINCED OVERHEATING W/ MY CAR FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED AND SHOWED IT WAS FINE NOW I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 90,000 MILES AFTER PAMPERING THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR STALLED , I RESTARTED AND A BLUE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE REAR AFTER HAVEING A MECHANIC LOOK INTO IT , HE DTERMINED IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA ODI #754013
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER REPLACING FIRST ENGINE AT 56,000 MILES UNDER FORD CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, SECOND ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED AFTER 33,000 MILES OF WEAR. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY ON SECOND ENGINE WAS GOOD FOR 2 YEARS OR 22,000 MILES. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA ON THIS MATTER. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #897595
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED AND A NOTICE WAS SENT OUT, THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL. NLM
NHTSA ODI #563583
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE MOUNTS DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH SUPPORT TO HOLD ENGINE, BOLTS PREMATURELY BREAK WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO DROP, ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *AKCONSUMER STATED SHE SOLD THE VEHICLE IN OCT, 2001 BECAUSE OF REOCURRING ENGINE MOUNT PROBLEMS.*SLC
NHTSA ODI #896894
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE CONSUMER IS DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. IT IS AN INTERMITTEN PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #896709
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKETS FAILED ANTIFREEZE LEAKED THROUGH ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING IT TO CRACK ENGINE TOOK 3 WEEKS TO GET CAR BACK REPLACEMENT ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSIG ANTIFREEZE TO BOIL OUT HEAD GASKETS LEAKAGE CAR HAD TO BE TOWEDX2 DEALER HAS CAR WILL REPLACE ENGINE AGAIN SAME PEOPLE AS BEFORE SAID AT LEAST ANOTHER 3 WEEKS WITHOUT MY …
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HEAD GASKETS FAILED ANTIFREEZE LEAKED THROUGH ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING IT TO CRACK ENGINE TOOK 3 WEEKS TO GET CAR BACK REPLACEMENT ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSIG ANTIFREEZE TO BOIL OUT HEAD GASKETS LEAKAGE CAR HAD TO BE TOWEDX2 DEALER HAS CAR WILL REPLACE ENGINE AGAIN SAME PEOPLE AS BEFORE SAID AT LEAST ANOTHER 3 WEEKS WITHOUT MY CAR NEED MY CAR FOR WORK GETTING IMPATIENT WITH JD BYRIDERS ATTITUDE ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR WONDERING IF THIS CAR SHOULD'VE BEEN RECALLED FROM DAY 1 OF MANUFACTURING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749158
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE TO CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #747493
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE ON ABOUT 5/1/01, IT CHUGGED AND HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF. THEN, SUDDENLY WHITE SMOKE EMINATED FROM THE EXHAUST AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR ON 5/8/01. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THIS WAS LATER VERBALLY CONFIRMED BY THE FORD/MERCURY DEA…
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WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE ON ABOUT 5/1/01, IT CHUGGED AND HAD A HARD TIME STARTING. THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF. THEN, SUDDENLY WHITE SMOKE EMINATED FROM THE EXHAUST AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR ON 5/8/01. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND THIS WAS LATER VERBALLY CONFIRMED BY THE FORD/MERCURY DEALERSHIP. SINCE THE RECALL COVERAGE EXPIRED ON 4/8/01, I AM TOLD I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR HALF PRICE ONLY BY THE FORD/MERCURY DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE IT COVERED FOR THE FULL AMOUNT SINCE MY CAR HAS SO LITTLE MILEAGE AND SINCE THE HEAD GASKET BLEW SO CLOSE TO THE COVERAGE DEADLINE (AND SINCE IT APPEARS THIS WILL BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM I'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS OR SO ACCORDING TO THE FORD/MERCURY DEALERSHIP. I FEEL I'VE BEEN SOLD A LEMON AND AM EXTREMELY DISATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE (OR RATHER, LACK THEREOF) PROVIDED BY FORD/MERCURY. THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND THE FORD/MERCURY DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO EFFECT REPAIRS! I'D REALLY PREFER A CASHIER'S CHECK SO I CAN TAKE IT TO A REPUTABLE CAR REPAIR ESTABLISHMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WEBSITE. SINCERELY, [XXX] AND [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #745379
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
PRIOR TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTIFICATION IN WHICH CONSUMER STATES HE NEVER RECEIVED, HE STATES AS HE WAS DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE SOUNDS AND THEN THE TEMPERATURE WARNING GAUGE AND AUDIBLE ALARM SIGNALED A PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A HEAD GASKET FAILUR…
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PRIOR TO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTIFICATION IN WHICH CONSUMER STATES HE NEVER RECEIVED, HE STATES AS HE WAS DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE SOUNDS AND THEN THE TEMPERATURE WARNING GAUGE AND AUDIBLE ALARM SIGNALED A PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A HEAD GASKET FAILURE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE OR COMPENSATE HIM THE RETAIL VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE 7 YEAR OR 100,000 MILES AND ALSO BECAUSE HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND AS OF 04-28-01 THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE DEALER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #561054
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD THE HEAD GASKETS FIXED IN MARCH 2000, AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT MALFUNCTION ON THIS VEHICLE, I SPOKE WITH FORD MOTOR CO. AND TOLD THEM THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE WARNED ME OF POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING FROM THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND FORD MOTOR SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE AND REPAIR THEREFORE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744708
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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