Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 985135 | 11/01/1998 | 613272 | Some vehicles built from 2/2/98 through 9/25/98 may exhibit a click or pop noise when quickly turning the steering wheel while traveling over bumps, or braking. *tt | 06/20/2000 | |
| 9912717 | 08/01/1999 | 609027 | Some vehicles may exhibit vibration / shake when driven on smooth roads at spped around 62 mph / 100 kph. *tt | 12/06/1999 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||||
| 14149 | 03/01/2001 | 620301 | Information on caster adjustment when performing a front end alignment. *tt | 07/24/2001 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 10/03/2001 | 3 | 10/01/2099 | |
| Erratic handling on freeway , steering became uncontrolable and swerving when pulling out into intersection. *ak | |||
| 11/24/1998 | 1 | 04/01/1998 | |
| Vehicle's suspension design is not stable with light rear end causing the weight distribution to be off balance, consumer experienced vehicle collision due to loss of traction control in the rear end crashing into concrete wall, seatbelt did not lock up properly resulting in minor injury. mjs | |||
| 11/28/1998 | 1 | 10/12/1998 | |
| While driving at 15 mph and making a right turn, the vehicle spinned around, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and hitting a curb. the pavement was wet. *ak *ml | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 04/20/2009 | 71951 | 1 | |
| My vehicle has loss of steering control. found recall for this issue on line, however, my vin number does not correspond. i called nhtsa and they suggested i file a complaint. my vehicle has no external leaks or worn or torn suspension parts, it must have internal damage to steering gear. ford does not show a recall. i will be repairing my vehicle in the meantime, ones vehicle is very necessary to get by our day to day business, however, i need this issue resolved. *tr | |||
| 07/07/1999 | 1 | 03/16/1999 | |
| Front end alignment off. mjs | |||
| 03/27/1999 | 1 | ||
| The consumer was making a left hand turn and the car went out of control and hit a curb, the right side of the tire was inflated before it hit the curb. also accident cost 2700.00 in damages. *ak | |||
| 09/01/1998 | |||
| Recalls 97v165002/97v165000; tires started to wear on front, made loud noises when going over bump. dealer contacted and stated the rack and pinion was worn out. repair work not performed. problem still exists. vehicle does not comply with recall. provide further information. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| 07/01/1998 | 1 | 01/02/1998 | |
| Wheel bearing system failure. *yc | |||
| SUSPENSION - MULTIPLE AXLE | |||
| 06/01/2001 | 0 | ||
| Rear wheels made loud clinking noise. took vehicle to dealership. mechanic told her that rear bearings neededed to be replaced.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 06/25/2002 | 06/01/2002 | ||
| My husband and i test drove this car with the top down, and drove it home with top down. the next day when we drove it with the top up we could hear a whooshing sound from the back of the car. it would get worse at higher speeds. we contacted the dealership and they said they would look at it for no charge since we had just purchased the car even though it came with no warranty. (our mechanic had checked it out and said it was the rear end going out) the dealership looked at the car and said the entire rear end needed replacement!! the axles, bearings, etc. were ruined. i find it hard to believe that they did not know of the situation. they told my husband if i would have driven the car another 2 weeks the rear end would have seized, causing the car to suddenly stop, and probably causing and accident. since the car is only 4 years old, i don't understand how it could have a problem as severe as this. the dealership said is was a poor design by ford. i am very upset at the fact that this car had a problem that should have been noticed, and i am kicking myself for not test driving it with the top up. furthermore , since it had no warrenty, i am responsible for the repairs. they have told me i only have to pay $480.00 even though the work will be well over $1000.00. i feel the dealership sold me a car that was very unsafe, and i shouldn't have to foot any of the bill.*ak | |||
| 05/16/2001 | 1 | 10/01/2000 | |
| Rear sway bar is hollow and the ends are pressed, that's where it snapped. suppossedly this is a common problem so i wanted to report it in hopes that ford will someday recall it. they already have produced a new piece that isn't hollow and supposedly much stronger, so they must know there is a problem.*ak | |||
| When vehicle is turned on, it would make strange harmonic resonance noise, causing vehicle to vibrate & shake. only happens when vehicle is running. noise would build up. problem cannot be duplicated. vehicle could be idling & noise would also appear. mechanic cannot solve problem. also has a bad drive train & rear end.*ak | |||
| 07/03/1999 | |||
| While driving rear end has a noise coming from it. also, the rear end feels as if it sways back and forth and out of control. dealer has seen vehicle numerous times and cannot find the cause. *ak | |||
| 10/01/1998 | 1 | 10/01/1998 | |
| Rear suspension failed. *yc | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 6 | 11/01/1998 | ||
| Service engine light comes on and stays on for a period of time then goes off. this has been happening for sometime before warranty expired but has not been taken to a dealer to be checked. rear suspension feels as if the shock absorbers have already failed, causing harder than normal shocks specially when hitting small bumps or deeps on the road. key gets stock on the ignition when parking and attempting to remove the key. vehicle has been in two different dealers in an attemp to correct the failure but it continues to happen. appreciate any assiatance and suggestions you can provide with respect to similar problems reported to you.*ak | |||