Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
98V206002FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 12/11/1996 to 06/10/1997V (Vehicle)570011/23/1998MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY11/03/199811/06/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles. an external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
Consequence SummaryThis condition can result in possible engine stalling.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.
NotesOwner notification is expected to begin during november 1998.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do nt receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (-1888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
98151008/03/1998609549Revised oil pump installation procedure. yd04/03/2000
987404/13/1998601343A new silicone gasket and sealant. *yc07/24/1998
9711109723511/10/199753661Subject regarding malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0505. *yc03/30/1998
BC013297020101/02/199751038A clunk on left hand turns while accelerating. this may be caused by improper alignment of the #1 engine mount. *jd06/27/1997
972901/20/199751390Noise - buzz/vibration in reverse and/or clicking noise accompanied by vibration on right hand turns during accleration - vehicles built through 1/6/97 with 2.0l engine and cd4e transaxle. *tw06/27/1997
BC101909723001/23/199751549Oil pump to cylinder block alignment concern on vehicle built between 9/5/96 and 12/9/96 with engine serial number fs200304 through fs209265. jd06/27/1997
BC101269702001/02/199751190Clunk on left hand turns while accelerating on 1997 probe 2.0l cd4e vehicles. may be caused by improper alignment of the engine mount. *jd06/27/1997
BC349297230101/23/199751485An oil pump to cylinder block alignment concern on vehicles built between 9/5/96 and 12/9/96 with engine serial number fs200304 through fs209265. *jd06/27/1997
BC966696100110/01/1996505272.5l duratec engine exchanges no longer include front end accessory drive component, oil level indicator, water pump belt/tensioner, egr tube, linkshaft bracket or exhaust manifolds. *tt05/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
0124612/10/2001630515Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure. *tt04/18/2002
9981605/03/1999606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5w-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year. *tt08/19/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
98201010/12/1998603695Experiencing a buzzing or rattling noise from the exhaust system. *yc03/02/1999
986403/30/1998601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt07/21/1998
BC308197022602/26/199751684Partially restricted vacuum hose to cannister may be cause of malfunction indicator lamp (mil) code p0441. *tw06/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
98231011/23/1998603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip. *ak03/03/1999

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
07/14/20031
 Consumer states there is a problem ,while driving the vehicle shut down, forcing the consumer to pull out of the road. *ak
2
 While driving on the highway, vehicle suddenly stalled, which required consumer to steer without power, vehicle was towed and the mechanic informed consumer that not only was there a problem with the timing belt, but the timing belt tensioner as well, apparently an external spring in the timing belt tensioner broke off and got caught in the timing belt, consumer states in feburary 1999 he received a recall notification (98s30) in which he complied for the same mechanical failure, and two years later the problem occurs again, consumer believes that the work was never performed and is requesting reimbursement for the charges he has incurred.*jb
 Oil from engine is leaking onto spark plugs. manufacturer has been notified.*ak
 Back in beginning of january i received a recall notice from ford on my 1997 probe. they said there was a possible defect in the timing belt tensioner. their recall number is 98s30. the letter said to call ford and tell them what dealership i wanted to take my car to and they would send the part to that dealership and have the dealership contact me. so i called the number in the letter and ford got my home and work numbers as well as the dealership that i wanted to go to, and said that i should hear from the dealership within 5 days, but that if i didn't i should call the dealership and schedule a time to take my car in. i did not hear from the dealership so i called and made an appointment to take my car in. they looked at the car and told me they couldn't check it because they hadn't received the kit from ford. so i called ford back and was told that the part orders had been lost and that they would resubmit it. so i waited a while and still never heard anything. i called the dealership again and they still didn't know anything about it. i have called ford several times about it and they don't seem to want to do anything. i called them most recently about 3 weeks ago and told them i was going out of town in 3 weeks, and wanted it checked before then. i was assured that it would be. that time has passed and i still haven't heard anything. when a manufacturer puts out a recall on a car aren't they required to fix it? i can't seem to get them to do anything about mine. so i have taken this action to try and get my car checked out to make sure that it is in good running order. *ak
03/09/1999
 Vehicle was driven less than 2 miles and caught on fire in the engine compartment. the vehicle was totalled. recall nhtsa 98v-206/ manufacturer's recall 98s30. dealer inspected timing belt tensioner, and stated that it was ok. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
03/01/1999
 Ford (hq and dealer) have been repeatedly contacted on these issues. ford's internal review board issued aruling stating that no compensatory action is appropriate. ford issued an offer to have a district representative oversee a representative within fourteen days of their ruling, which i did not receive until the offer had expired. i have taken the vehicle to another ford garage with similar denial of anything wrong being wrong with the vehicle. their is obviously something wrong with the brakes - they squeal almost continuously. also, the engine / transmission power loss, vibrations, and intermittent hesitations have increased since my ownership of the vehicle. i am interested to see if other consumers have experienced similar problems and how these problems have been rectified. the issue with the bar in the seat developed within six months, i have simply dealt with it, until now as i have read on your site that other consumers have had this same problem. i request that i be contacted for informational purposes only, at this time, by the nhtsa, as i do not wish to deal with ford or the indicated dealer(s) any longer. also, the pa. atty general's office - consumer affairs, was contacted with no action other than documentation of the incident.at. no safety defec tlisted in summary. *ak
 When driving vehicle under a slight puddle of water lights on dashboard illuminate, and vehicle stalls out, causing loss of vehicle control.*ak
03/01/1998
 While driving the vehicle stalls unexpectedly which causes a crash. dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem. please provide further information. *ak
12/01/1996
 While my car was parked in my driveway (off) the car engine caught fire. the fire took place approx 15 minutes after it was turned off. it had only been driven for approx 3 minutes. there were no signs that a fire was about to begin. ie; smoke or temp indicator reading hot.
05/26/1997605/24/1997
 Engine stalls continuously.
05/26/199705/24/1997
 The vehicle died and check engine light came on while traveling.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
05/09/1999106/17/1998
 Oxygen sensor failed. *et
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
206/20/1997
 The catalytic converter failed twice.the second failure was 50000 miles after the first. *yh