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: 27 of 387 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.
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
What owners actually said
387 reports
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 · Jul 2, 2001
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK RECALL 98S01 DEALS WITH THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND A SWITCH PLUG LEAD KIT WAS INSTALLED, THE OLD SWITCH HAD MELTED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #891848
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 · Jun 21, 2001
Suspension
FRONT END SPRINGS BROKE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. ALSO SPRING HAS BROKEN ON OPPOSITE SIDE, WHICH SMASHED STRUT INSIDE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FALL ON THE WHEEL ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. CAR COULD NOT BE MOVED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #890882
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 · May 22, 2001
Seat Belts
THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS A LAP BELT FOR THE CENTER REAR SEAT. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND THE YOUNGEST IS TURNING FOUR AND OUTGROWING HIS TODDLER SEAT. HIS TWO OLDER SIBLINGS SIT ON THE SIDES IN THE REAR, USING THE ONLY LAP-AND-SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR. I CANNOT FIND A BOOSTER SEAT THAT IS DESIGNED TO HOLD HIS SHOULDERS WHEN HE …
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THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS A LAP BELT FOR THE CENTER REAR SEAT. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND THE YOUNGEST IS TURNING FOUR AND OUTGROWING HIS TODDLER SEAT. HIS TWO OLDER SIBLINGS SIT ON THE SIDES IN THE REAR, USING THE ONLY LAP-AND-SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR. I CANNOT FIND A BOOSTER SEAT THAT IS DESIGNED TO HOLD HIS SHOULDERS WHEN HE GROWS PAST 40 LBS, AND CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE CAR WITH ONLY THE LAP BELT. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK
NHTSA ODI #745656
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 14, 2001
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745331
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
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.
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.
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.
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
4
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.
1994 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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