Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
9515307/01/199545934Temperature gauge - fluctuating and /or inaccurate high readings. *sd04/25/1996
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
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
956803/01/199539904Revised oil pan gasket. *tw11/01/1995
BC889995040104/01/19953030300Unknown11/01/1995
9531002/01/199539222New torque-to-yield cylinder head bolt kit. *tw03/31/1995
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
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

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
06/15/200395000
 The car starts and runs well. but ever so often without any warning the engine will stall, and then it will crank right up. lucky for me it hasn't stalled while i was making a left turn with a semi barreling down on me.
03/11/1999108/01/1991
 Both head gaskets blown; however, complaints re; faulty temperature guage submitted to dealer since 10/15/1993. repair cost: $1390.92 (incl. tax).
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
01/01/2005202/10/2004
 This is the second time it has had a blown head gasket. it is not fixed yet because i can't afford it. *nm
06/10/20021
 Vehicle was acting sluggish and white moke came form tailpipe. vehicle was going 35mph and overheated, causing driver to pull over. consumer indicated that continuing to drive will cause head to warp. dealer was notified. *ak *tt
1
 Consumer complains of head gasket failure. *jg
01/08/2002
 While driving 15-20 mph vehicle began to overheat, consumer pulled into service station to have vehicle inspected, the service mechanic stated that the head gaskets had blown. dealer has yet to be contatced. please provide further details. *ak
11/27/2000609/01/1991
 Headlights go off while driving, brakes continue to make noise, key switch prob. recall repair, heater blows cold, car died after excel. restarted and drove 50 ft. died again and know in shop & been told gaskets or busted head. i love this car and have taken extra care, engine and car keep spotless, car is never left outside. all took place within 1 mo. is it all tied together with one thing? *ak
07/19/20000
 When consumer took vehicle to dealer for check up,technician found that engine had a blown head gasket wich happened without a warning. *ak
08/01/1996207/01/1991
 Engine head gakset needed to be repaired at 60,000 miles. the ford dealer shaved the gasket. the head gasket is now shot at 98,000 miles. i have contacted ford via the internet and phone but have had no success. ford has admitted to a defect in this same engine in the 1994-95 tauruses, sables, continentals, cougars, thunderbirds, mustangs and windstars and offered reimbursement and/or money towards a new vehicle (see april 26, 2000 edition of detroit news auto section - www.detnews.com). *ak
08/18/1999105/01/1995
 The head gasket went bad even after routine regular maintenance and only 80,000 miles on the vehicle. according to a local dealership and several mechanics this is extremely common. i was fortunate because the heads and block were not cracked unlike the majority of the ones that are serviced. it seems that if the 3.8 liter has this problem then maybe there is a design flaw or quality problem with the gasket. the other problem is when having this fixed, the steering pump front gasket usually breaks when the belt is removed, this should not happen. if i had known about this design flaw in this engine i would have never purchased this or any ford vehicles with a 3.8 liter engine. also why don't the seat belts lock? *ak
06/08/1999111/01/1991
 Vehicle experienced head gasket failure, recall on other models however cougar was not included even though same engine as recall models, denied recall repair (98m01). mjs
03/11/1999108/01/1991
 Both head gaskets blown; however, complaints re; faulty temperature guage submitted to dealer since 10/15/1993. repair cost: $1390.92 (incl. tax).
11/01/1998101/01/1992
 Mounts have failed, similar to 87 & 92 ford taurus models. is there a recall on the 91 cougar for this same problem?...strange coincidence. thanks
03/14/1997
 When starting the vehicle it made a puffing sound and cut off, after restarting and driving about one block, the engine suddendly died. the engine head gasket was replaced by mechanic. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
06/01/20001
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
04/17/1996104/01/1991
 Parked car and it caught on fire.*ak consumer statesvehicle was parked and about 15 minutes later it was on fire near steering wheel area.*jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
09/06/1997101/01/1994
 Egr valve and sensor failed. nlm