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: 38 of 350 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 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports13 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
350 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
AUTO HAS VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN PASSAGER COMPARTMENT ON WARM TO HOT DAYS(85+ DEGREES). THE GAS TANK ALSO HAS VERY HIGH EXESSIVE PRESSURE. COMPLAINED TO LANDMARK MERCURY DEALER IN LAKEWOOD, CO AND ALSO TO FORD'S CUSTOMER 800 NUMBER. THEY BOTH SAID THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS BUT IT WOULD COST OVER 300 DOLLARS TO ME. IF F…
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AUTO HAS VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN PASSAGER COMPARTMENT ON WARM TO HOT DAYS(85+ DEGREES). THE GAS TANK ALSO HAS VERY HIGH EXESSIVE PRESSURE. COMPLAINED TO LANDMARK MERCURY DEALER IN LAKEWOOD, CO AND ALSO TO FORD'S CUSTOMER 800 NUMBER. THEY BOTH SAID THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS BUT IT WOULD COST OVER 300 DOLLARS TO ME. IF FORD KNOWS THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM OF THE AUTO, I WOULD THINK THEY SHOULD FIX IT! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON HOT DAYS BECAUSE OF THE EXECSSIVE PRESSURE IN THE TANK!
NHTSA ODI #700186
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1998
Exterior Lighting
WHEN CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO GET ODOMETER FIXED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH AND CONNECTER WAS MELTED. IF THE PROBLEM HAD REMAINED UNSOLVED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF AND WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY WENT OUT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829438
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 1998
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER'S FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE AND CAUSING A TIRE BLOW OUT AND ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. PROLBEM SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829064
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP, CONDITION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED OR RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828044
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE. INSURANCE ADJUSTOR SAID BEARINGS IN FAN MOTOR LOCKED UP, CAUSING A BUILD UP OF HEAT & SMOKE. THIS CAUSED THE RELAY SWITCH TO SHORT OUT, CAUSING ENGINE COOLING FAN TO BURN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828507
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1998
Suspension
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED WHILE PARKED AT SUPERMARKET.
NHTSA ODI #780604
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1998
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER HEAD IS DEFECTIVE. BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH WHERE ONE CANNOT TELL THE SPEED THAT VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AND REPLACED COMPONENT THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY 25,000 MILES ON AVERAGE. DEALER CONTACTED AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827981
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1998
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED IN TRAFFIC CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP AND START ERRATICALLY. FAILURE DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY LACK OF LUBRICATION TO TRANSMISSION PLANETARY GEARS. ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY PERFORMING TRANSMISSION REBUILD, THIS FAILURE RESULTED FROM A LUBRICATION DESIGN PROBLEM IN THA AXODE TRANSMISSION USED I…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED IN TRAFFIC CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP AND START ERRATICALLY. FAILURE DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY LACK OF LUBRICATION TO TRANSMISSION PLANETARY GEARS. ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY PERFORMING TRANSMISSION REBUILD, THIS FAILURE RESULTED FROM A LUBRICATION DESIGN PROBLEM IN THA AXODE TRANSMISSION USED IN THIS VEHICLE. PROBLEM CORRECTED IN REBUILD UPDATE.
NHTSA ODI #540840
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEFECTIVE THERMOSTAT CAUSED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE BUILD-UP, RESULTING IN RADIATOR FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #540839
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1998
Power Train
SPEEDEOMETER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED TWICE IN FIRST 60,000 MILES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 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.
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: 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.
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
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.
1995 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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