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 - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
97V019000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 07/22/1991 to 11/18/1994V (Vehicle)7520003/31/1997ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY02/25/199702/26/1997
Defect SummaryThese 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 SummaryThis 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
NotesOwner notification:owner notification is expected to begin april 15, 1997.notes: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 1-800-392-3673.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
984903/02/1998601270Concerns with coolant may leak from the head gaskets and / or the vehicle may overheat. *yc07/16/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
97S6602/01/199751571Recall 97s66 - advance announcement - the engine cooling fan could stall due to accumulation of ice, snow and slush when the car is operated under certain conditions of high wind, heavy blowing snow and low temperatures - if the fan motor i06/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
981132902/01/1998607497Information regarding the the availability of the revised headgasket for coolant loss conditions on some engines. *tt09/24/1999
987404/13/1998601343A new silicone gasket and sealant. *yc07/24/1998
9761003/17/199751990Blower motor- chirping or squeaking from blower motor at low speeds. *jd07/17/1997
974302/17/199751682Blower motor- chirp or squeak from blower motor at low speeds. *jd06/27/1997
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
021401/21/2002630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area. *tt04/11/2002
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
986403/30/1998601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt07/21/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
98231011/23/1998603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip. *ak03/03/1999

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE96033FORD MOTOR COMPANY05/02/199609/30/1996ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES97V019000
 Bad weather may cause the engine cooling fan to freeze the fan shroud.
EA96024FORD MOTOR COMPANY09/30/199604/15/1997ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES97V019000
 Accumulation of ice, snow, or slush could cause the engine cooling fan to freeze to the fan shroud.automatic or manual actuation of the cooling fan motor when the fan is frozen to the shroud may cause the fan motor and wiring to overheat and cause a fire in the engine compartment.
PE93010FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/02/199307/30/1993IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
 There is no summary currently available
EA93022FORD MOTOR COMPANY07/30/199308/31/1994IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
 There is no summary currently available

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
02/15/200361774
 Vehicle broke down while headed south i95 on 12/26/02 in peterburg,virginia. forced to rent a car while being repaired. replaced head gaskets and ego sensor and peripheral work needed. cost: $1,215.89 plus rental (stranded in va) $264.60. total of $1,480.49. this is not a maintenance item, but a flaw in vehicle which ford-lincoln has acknowledged via a technical service bulletin. i believe later models 1994? were covered by ford for repair expense. also my mileage is a 1000 over that for repair reimbursement. but this vehicle repair also should be covered by manufacturer because it is the same flawed 3.8 engine!
07/15/20030
 Here is the list of problems i've had with this car. 1.purchased from bob mullen auto batavia ny milage: 58702 ,june 3rd 1999 2.returned car 10 days later , ac didn't work, dealer repired at his cost of $500. 3.jan 2000 repair exhaust system. my share of bill $514.00 4. 4/28/2000 monroe muffler, work on front end air suspension, $370 5. 7/28/2000 electric door locks failed, cost $152 for new switches 6. 9/15/2000 took car back to dealer abs wasn't working estimate to repair..$826, had dealer disarm abs 7. dgl engine light stays on. had to take car to lincoln dealer,,estimated cost to fix all the things discovered to be bad, $3480. told them i'd take my chances 8. 4/9/2001 took car again to monroe muffler for right air suspension replacement, cost $638.... 9. 4/23/2001 car returned to cole muffler mufflers rotted out already were replaced with new ones plus pipes. 10. 5/01/01 took car to air conditioning center said it had cracked housing repair would cost $575. made sure windows worked!!! 11. 7/16/2002 took car to transmission center for service. replaced switch for car would go into 2nd gear cost $121. still not working right. 12. 4/15/2003 oil pan started to leak, have had to weld busted seam $125 13. not sure but it shows signs of overheating problems, which may lead to head gasket failure and the car still only has about 80,000 miles!! the car is a continental but has been renamed town car because i don't dare take it out of town.. thanks for your interest in this matter. this car has got to be the reason for the nys lemon law
05/13/19981
 Vehicle experienced several engine problems, engine light came on, water pump and radiator were replaced due to a coolant leak, oil gauge goes high and low and oil light comes on, dealer replaced the ego sensor, head gasket leaking, dealer replaced the head gaskets, spark plugs, and cleaned the carbon from the pistons, motor mounts loose, oil pan and level sensor leaking, serpentine belt was cracked and replaced, engine and cooling system failures. *slc
2
 Coolant running out of the engine system.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
11/10/20001
 No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
05/01/200205/01/2002
 Worn mount allows engine to shift and bind steering so you can't turn to the right.*ak
10/28/200004/01/1993
 Head gasket failure caused engine failure after loss of coolant. *ak
08/01/20000
 Air ride control system went out, causing vehicle to sway down to road. head gasket blewout and had to be replaced. vehicle was running hot. dealership was aware of problems. *ak
106/01/1992
 Engine head gaskets blewout prematurely, causing coolant to go into piston. manufacturer has been notified.*ak
11/01/1998
 It appears to me that the 1992 lincoln continental executive series has many problems. i could not even sell it to a used car dealer due to its known defects. rear air suspension blew out (both at the same time while driving) head gasket in an engine that gets it's oil changed every 3000 miles or so. front hub assembly ready to fall off. vehicle is well maintained. air conditioning that completely became disfunctional.
 Vehicle 3.8 liter with v6; head gasket failed at 77,000 miles . maunfacturr will not cover head gasket even with the extended warranty.*ak
07/09/1996205/01/1995
 This lincoln now has 147,000 miles on it . the head gaskets are leaking again, they were replaced 2 times already. getting check dcl light, buzzer all the time, this was fixed once already. a/c still blows hot air. i will never buy a lincoln again.. i have spent to much money fixing fords reacurring problems.
08/30/200004/01/2000
 Head gasket leak caused overheat, common problem, recall on other years, $1500 repair, if they know about this why won't they recall the 1992?*ak
06/10/2000109/01/1997
 I don't know if a blown head gasket is a safety problem. maybe if the engine was to stall or quit and there was a loss of control, then personal liability would be a factor. *ak
10/11/1996106/01/1994
 1994 i purchased a used 1992 continential still under factory warranty. in october 1996 with 64293 miles on vehicle, and out of warranty, the head-gaskets failed and had to be replaced at a cost of $1,521.66. i believe head gaskets should last at least 100k miles and that this engine had major problems known to ford motor co. as is evidenced by their tsb 98-4-9, for the 1988-94 3.8l engine. please continue to pursue ford motor to honor this vehicle year, along with the progress you have made for later year vehicles with this engine. *ak
205/01/1992
 Engine head gasket is leaking fluid onto the engine compartment. consumer has contacted dealer. both head gaskets replaced at owner's expense, as well as both front air-leveling bags which were leaking and deteriorated. *ak *ml
10/06/1998106/01/1995
 Ford's 3.8l engine has experienced many head gasket failures. my 1992 lincoln continental experienced a failed head gasket problem at 91,830 miles. ford has extended engine warranties on later continentals. if there is a design flaw which is contributing to these failures, ford should have some responsibility in the repair costs for earlier models in addition to the later models that they are now covering. *ak
06/11/1999103/01/1994
 Engine head gasket blew out which may cause vehicle to stall unexpectedly and may result in a crash. dealer replaced the gasket at owner's expense. *ak due to gasket failure antifreeze leaked into cylinders causing rough idle. *yh
06/01/1999103/31/1993
 Motor mounts failed causing damage to the air conditioner system, recall component however owner was not notified of the recall, recent repair of the blown head gasket was possibly related to the recall component failure (92m77).
08/11/19991
 Head gasket failed causing extensive engine damage due to over heating. mjs
03/17/1999106/01/1994
 Ford offered extended warranties covering 1993 and 1994 lincoln continentals with blown head gaskets. i'm filing this form concerning 1992 models to see if they should be included in the warranty program. *ak
04/21/1999112/01/1994
 Blown head gasket, caused coolant to leak into cylinders and steam to come out ot tail pipes. dealers estimated cost to repair $1500. *ak
12/04/19981
 Cylinder head gaskets failed/leaking/replaced.
11/08/199812/01/1995
 3.8l aluminum v6 failure after dealer ignored situation three times...now dealer claims head gaskets failed after notification
210/01/1996
 Head gasket failed on two occasions, recall on other model years.
11/03/1997210/01/1996
 Motor mount failed after recall work completed.
112/03/1993
 Head gasket is failing.
1
 Head gasket starting to fail causing exhaust to smell sweet from coolant leaking into exhaust, recall on head gasket however vehicle denied due to vin #.
09/24/19981
 Vehicle started smoking while driving. learned later that head gasket was broken.dealer notified and informed consumer vehicle was not under recall, and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer. *ak
03/06/19981
 The vehicle started to heat up while steam and smoke came out from under the hood. dealer says there was a gasket blown. *ak
 The head gaskets blew out and the oil pan is leaking. the manufacturer and dealer has been notified. *ak
05/19/1997
 Noise developed upon making a right hand turning maneuvers. dealer's, prognosis: both motor mounts cracked and separated. condition: causes belts to rub due to lack of room in engine compartment. also, vibration in front wheels. *ak
05/19/19930
 Motor mounts keep going bad, driver is on the third set of them. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
04/18/2001104/01/2099
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
110/01/1998
 Vehicle is subject to erratic operation. vehicle has a tendency to stall or hesitate with no particular fail pattern. fuel filters have been changed along with fuel pump and other items.*ak.*nlm
03/15/2000
 Oil is leaking into engine.*ak
06/06/200003/01/1998
 I have heard of a recall on the 90-91, and 94 models, but not on the 92. also, our 92 was built in 11/91; would that recall be for model year 91, or all vehicles built in 91? i have seen numerous amounts of complaints on this engine and its head gasket plague. any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. thank you!. no safety defect discussed in summary. *ak
07/14/200007/01/2000
 The 3.8 l v-6 engine should be recalled -represents potential catastrophic failure at high speed -is known defective design. *ak
06/06/200003/01/1998
 I have heard of a recall on the 90-91, and 94 models, but not on the 92. also, our 92 was built in 11/91; would that recall be for model year 91, or all vehicles built in 91? i have seen numerous amounts of complaints on this engine and its head gasket plague. any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. thank you!. no safety defect discussed in summary. *ak
03/06/2000105/01/1999
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
07/01/1999
 Ongoing problem with engine stalling. vehicle has been inspected and repairs done by an independent repair shop on several occasions and problem still reoccurs. can nhtsa provide any further information. *ak
1
 Possible engine failure resulting in fire. mjs
 While driving vehicle the engine caught fire. dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
12/04/19981
 Exhaust system and catalytic converter replaced. *slc
10/10/1999
 Air pump in which the air is in and the shock/struts broke, causing the vehicle to go down to the ground. *ak
03/01/199902/01/1994
 Began noticing gas smell in passenger compartment at higher air tempuratures. dealership diagnosed problem with vapor return line and repaired using a vapor return kit provided by ford-lincoln. was told that problem occurred most often at high air temperatures. total repair cost was $329.30 (parts and labor). i feel that the gas smell posed a safety hazard to me and occupants; that it represents a manufacturing defect; and effects many vehicles.
12/04/19981
 Catalytic converter/exhaust system failed/replaced.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
110/01/1996
 Oxygen sensor failed.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
12/04/19981
 Exhaust system and catalytic converter replaced. *slc
12/04/19981
 Catalytic converter/exhaust system failed/replaced.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
12/16/1992
 Improper torque of the bolt underneath engine manifold is causing the head gasket to leak anti-freeze onto and out of engine, resulting in the engine running rough and without heat. *ak

Some parts © 2024 Advameg, Inc.
Based on public records. Inadvertent errors are possible.
This web site is not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by and has no official or unofficial affiliation with the vehicle's manufacturer.