Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports9 fire reports13 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

19 reports

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Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 1999

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

1,WHEN VEHICLE IDLES THERE IS A THUMPING NOISE COMMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE RADIATOR . 2. THE ABS SYSTEM BOUNCES EXTREMELY VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. 3. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ONLY WHEN IT WANTS TO, AS IF SHORTING. 4. A/C DIED AND WILL NOT TAKE A CHARGE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705752

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 1999

Vehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

THIS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING FAILURE CAUSED UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION MY WIFE PULLED INTO THE ROADWAY AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. SHORTLY SHE BEGAN TO SAY THAT THE CAR WAS GOING FASTER AND FASTER AND SHE COULDN'T STOP THE CAR FROM SPEEDING UP. I REACHED OVER TO HIT THE OFF SWITCH ON THE CRUISE CONTROL AND MY WIFE CONTINUED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO STRAIN AHEAD AND I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE NOISE OF HIGH RPMS. I TRIED THE COAST SWITCH, NOTHING. WE WERE HEADING TO ANOTHER INTERSECTION AND THE LIGHT WAS RED SO I PULLED THE DRIVE LEVER TO NEUTRAL WHILE MY WIFE CONTINUED TO BRAKE. THE CAR SLOWED THEN STOPPED BUT THE ENGINE WAS FULLY THROTTLED AND RUNNING AT HIGH SPEED. I HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE ENGINE WENT TO IDLE. NO MY WIFE DID NOT PANIC AND HOLD THE ACCELERATOR DOWN SINCE SHE WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ENTIRE TIME. I WAS THE ONE WHO HIT THE THROTTLE PEDAL TO RESET TEH CABLE OR BREAK IT LOOSE FROM WHATEVER THE LINKAGE WAS CAUGHT ON. AFTER STOPPING AND LETTING THE ENGINE IDLE MY WIFE PUT IT BACK IN GEAR AND THERE WAS NO FURTHER INCIDENTS THAT TRIP. WE SPOKE TO A RELATIVE THIS EVENING AND THEY RELATED THE DATELINE STORY. I LOOKED UP THE WEB SITE, READ TEH STORY AND IT WAS EXACTLY AS THE OTHER HAD STATED. THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED AND BRAKING WOULD NOT STOP IT. WE WERE ON OPEN ROAD WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC AND HAD TWO EXPERIENCED PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH THE INCIDENT. WITHOUT THE OPEN ROAD, LIGHT TRAFFIC, DRY PAVEMENT AND CALM HANDLING, WE WOULD HAVE HARMED OURSELVES OR OTHERS WITHOUT A DOUBT. I CONCUR WITH THE ENGINEER IN THE DATELINE STORY ABOUT FAULTY ENGINEERING AND SLOPPY ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION. THE AVIATION WORLD (FAA) WOULD INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AND THE OEM WOULD BE HEADING UP AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE THE FAULT AND PROPOSE A REDESIGN. THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND POWER AVAILABLE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WITHOUT OPERATOR ENGAGENMENT.

NHTSA ODI #703273

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1998

Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STICK AT 73 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #542935

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 1997

Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN SPEED CONTROL IS ON IT DOES NOT MAINTAIN THE DESIRED SET SPEED BY THE DRIVER. CONSUMER MADE A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED . THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE CAR BACK IN 1995, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #813450

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1996

Vehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE CABLE LINKAGE BROKE TO THE PEDAL, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND LOSS OF FUEL AND COULD NOT DRIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #980243

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1996

Vehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE CABLE LINKAGE BROKE TO THE PEDAL, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND LOSS OF FUEL AND COULD NOT DRIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #980080

Mileage unknown · May 25, 1995

Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVELY HIGH ENGINE IDLE SPEED FOLLOWING A COLD START; RESULTS IN VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD/REARWARD FOLLOWING A STOP; EXCESSIVE SPEED. TT

NHTSA ODI #965890

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1995

Vehicle Speed Control

CAR WAS PARKING DRIVEWAY CONSUMER WENT TO START CAR IT ACCELERATE AND HIT HOUSE. TT

NHTSA ODI #964283

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 1995

Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #479454

Official recalls

98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members

Dec 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.

98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

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.

97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control

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.

97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

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

RQ99017 · 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.