Recalls

CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - FLOOR SHIFT
98V233000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 07/18/1994 to 01/12/1998V (Vehicle)17500011/20/1998ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY09/18/199809/25/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles. the floor shift automatic transmission control can be damaged if subjected to certain interior cleaning products. the gear position indicator can deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position.
Consequence SummaryThis condition can result in incorrect gear selection.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the automatic transmission floor shift control.
NotesOwner notification began november 20, 1998.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 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
994303/08/1999604751Information regarding reprogramming powertrain control modules (pcms). *tt05/11/1999
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1589405/01/2002637775Subject regarding automatic shifter assembly or the indicator housing replacement. *tt12/06/2002
9915207/26/1999608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt01/05/2001
001501/10/2000612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs06/06/2000
1317809/01/19996090534Information regarding clunk/rattle on tip-in or transmission gear engagement. *mjs03/21/2000
9924911/29/19996090198This bulletin addresses an issue with the automatic transmission fluid seeping from the vent, resulting in fluid collecting on the main control assembly. *tt03/10/2000
988804/27/1998601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc07/10/1998
BC320497021402/14/199751804Harsh shifts and/or harsh engagement accompanied by dtc's 628 or p0741. *tw07/17/1997
9751103/03/199751945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd07/17/1997
BC004497020101/02/199751018Intermittent surging, bucking or shudder concern, intermediate erratic speddometer and/or possibly dtc452. *jd06/27/1997
96261412/16/199650999Transaxle - cd4e - harsh shift and/or engagement - diagnostic trouble code 628 or p0741. *tw06/17/1997
BC078396101410/14/199650409New pcm calibration to correct low speed maneuver, high ambient temp, & start/run/stall concerns. *tt04/24/1997
BC519196100110/01/199650469For concerns of stalling, reflash pcm w/ 1996 calibration (r11 level). *tt04/24/1997
BC018696010212/01/199546445Engineering is investigating a concern on the cd4e transaxle where transmission fluid mists from the transaxle vent tube. this concern causes transmission fluid to puddle on top of the transaxle & can be perceived as a pan gasket or seal l04/25/1996
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
0314807/21/200310003748New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt10/29/2003
975903/03/199751943Leak- automatic transmission fluid- cd4e transaxle in fluid collection on main control assembly. *jd07/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
0118109/17/2001625715Brake shift interlock.*jb11/30/2001
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
96261212/16/199650997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
9624911/18/199650908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
022402/04/2002630631Some vehicles equipped with the cd4e transaxle may exhibit harsh and delayed 1-2/2-3 upshifts after transaxle or turbine shaft speed sensor replacement, possible diagnostic trouble codes 628, 642, 645, 646, 647, 648, p0731, p0732, p0734, p004/19/2002
0018209/01/2000618586Some vehicles may exhibit no forward gear ranges due to the misalignment of the forward / coast clutch cylinder snap ring with respect to the legs of the forward clutch piston. *jb04/17/2001
9671203/25/1996613333Subjec regarding the mtx-75 transaxles will be installed certain mode year vehicles. *tt06/21/2000
001901/10/2000612301Information regarding several internal changes that have been implemented on the mrx-75 transaxle to improve shift efforts. *mjs06/07/2000
9920110/04/19996089639Concerns with a harsh shift felt at large throttle openings (or at heavy acceleration rate) on some vehicles. *tt02/10/2000
98231111/23/1998603725Minimal clearance of the cd4e transaxle to subframe makes transaxle installation and removal more difficult. *yc03/03/1999
BC078496101410/14/199650410Weld connection concern w/ the forward/direct/coast clutch cylinder & hub assy. *tt04/24/1997
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1376101/01/2000612789Some vehicles equipped with 2.0l engines may exhibit symptoms of clutch slippage or no clutch engagement after performinb repairs to the clutch system. *mjs06/12/2000
792301/01/20007923612410Clutch will not engage after service.06/08/2000
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
BC102669723001/23/199751641Vehicles exhibiting harsh shifts and/or harsh engagement accompanied by dtcs 628 or p0741. *jd06/27/1997
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
734911/01/1999610783Some vehicles equipped with 2.5l engine and cd4e transmission may exhibit a driveline rattle or clunking type noise during tip-in or transmission gear engagement. *tt05/15/2000
1331610/01/1999609611Exhibiting a driveline rattle or clunking type noise during tip-in or transmission gear engagement. *tt04/04/2000
BC004497230101/23/199751396Intermittent surging, bucking or shudder concern, intermediate erratic speedometer and/or possibly dtc 452- inspect the vss and speedo gear. *jd06/27/1997
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
1337910/01/19996092178Some vehicles equipped with 2.5l engine and cd4e transmission may exhibit a driveline rattle or clunking type noise during tip-in or transmission gear engagement. *tt11/27/2000
699409/01/19996090305Concerns with vehicles exhibiting a driveline rattle or clunking type noise during tip-in or transmission gear engagement. *tt03/14/2000
BC316297021802/18/199751762Clicking noise caused by differential lube tube contacting differential case. *tw07/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
99604105/01/1999606956Vehicles may exhibit a hard to shift condition in cold weather. *tt09/08/1999
9624811/18/199650907Noise - grinding or clashing heard when shifting into 3rd gear - vehicles with mtx-75 transaxle - vehicles built through 9/1/96. *tw06/17/1997

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
POWER TRAIN
RQ02006FORD MOTOR COMPANY02/26/200209/12/2002INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION98V233000
 Shift indicator may deteriorate and not correctly indicate the actual gear position

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
10/19/2007148000104/07/2006
 The forward gears on my transmission have ceased to work. now i'm being told that the transmission needs to be replaced. i find it kind of weird that a 96 needs a new transmission already. *tr
08/09/200556000111/17/1996
 I purchased my mercury mystique new in november of 1996. i have always driven the car very easy, i don't even get on the expressway very often. at around 45,000 miles, i had the transmission serviced, which the owners manual doesn't even mention. now, with only 55k miles, the transmission has failed and needs a total rebuild! although the car is nearly 9 years old, at 55,000 miles the transmission failing is not acceptable. there has to be some kind of flaw in the design for it to do this. *b
05/14/2002107/01/2096
 While driving on highway, transmission began to shift at odd times. shortly thereafter, the shifts began to take excessively long between gear engagement. the following day, the o/d off light began to flash on the dash and the transmission refused to engage gears. driver stranded. upon inspection at dealership, i was told transmission was totalled and required replacement. details sketchy, but technician reported that an internal failure occured and transmission lubrication was affected (stopped). gears began running metal on metal with no warning and internal damage occured. car was driven less than 12 miles after warning light on dash began to flash. this car has only 63k miles and the transmission is totalled by lack of lubrication with a full reservoir or ford fluid.*ak
08/01/1996
 Nhts# 98v233000 - problem w/ my vehicle but my vin # not included in recall.*ak
12/04/200107/01/1998
 The gear does not shift properly. from stop to low speed (<20mph) it whines, jerks and stalls. at high speed (40mph) it stops shifting and keeps whining at 3-4000rpm while it should shift up. the o/d off warning light comes up 2-3 minutes after starting the car. *ak
04/29/200105/01/1996
 I don't have an estimate on transmission damage. transmission was in good condition went it was brought to dealer, it is now inoperable. i am looking into possible tampering with the vehicle. i have no intention of paying for this damage. *ak
01/01/199911/01/1997
 Computer at mechanic show major electrical system defects-it appears that many people are experiencing this as a major problem with this car and ford contour. ford/mercury will not do anything-also the transmission goes out quit often-had a new one at 50,000 miles-has had many recalls already and nothing has been fixed on this car-windows dont go down (due to electrical short)
08/21/19991
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
10/15/2000107/01/1998
 My heater control knob for high,med,low only work in the low position. my rear brake light had a leak,allowing water to fill up and blow my light bulbs.there is a ticking noise in my dash as if my turn signals is running, but no flash on the indicators. when i signal to take turns it works fine but when not turning still makes clicking noise. transmission went out in october 2000, i heard this is a common problem in my vehical.. thank you for your time.
07/22/199907/01/1997
 Transmission failure 2 years after car was purchased, engine replaced 2 years after purchase. hub bearing assembly broke 1 year after purchase of car. car drives extremely hot - to near over heating point. trunk leaks when it rains. driver side window malfunctioning. instrument panel malfunctioned (was fixed before recall). check engine light stays on constantly even after tune up/ major work done.
06/05/20000
 When consumer put vehicle in drive vehicle went down to 20mph. vehicle would go into gear, but would hesitate. then, five to ten minutes later, overdrive light would coime on, indicating that engine would slowdown. *ak
03/21/20001
 Was driving along on the road when it suddenly stopped moving. engine was still running. tried to shift into reverse or drive & vehicle failed to move. could hear it shifting gears. had vehicle towed to mechanic & informed consumer that transmission was shot. *ak
03/14/2000607/01/1998
 We took this car to the dealer in may of 1999 because the throttle seemed to stick, then break free, causing to car to lurc forward into traffic. they kept the car but it would not repeat the problem so they erturned it to us and charged us over $100. ever since the throttle would sometimes feel rough in about one half to one inch of travel but then would be smooth as silk. in feb we took the car in for the smog check and the service person finished the test and put the car in reverse and it sat still, the engine at idle and it would not move. he shifted it back and forth then suddenly it shot out of the stall without warning. he said he had pushed on the foot pedal but nothing happened. then on march 14, 2000, i was traveling at a steady speed of 50 miles per hour for about five minutes when i decided to accelerate to 55, the throttle stuck tight. i pushed very hard but nothing happened for about 20 seconds, then suddenly it released and my speed increased. at this point we cannopt afford to pay ford $100 every time we take this in and they can't find anything. i'm sure it is a throttle problem. the smog mechanic thinks it may also have something to do with a switch on the transmission, as he said when it did it to him he moved the shift lever back and for and pushed on the foot pedal and it did not increase in speed nor did it move. is there some kind of recall having to do with either of these problems? the dealer doesn't seem to think so. thanks for your help. it has been and on going thing. when the problem occurs it is without warning. i have had a couple of scary occurrences. once at a stop sign i pulled up stopped saw that it was clear, press on the foot pedal and nothing happened, the car sat still at idle, no reving just idle. i thought my foot was caught on the carpet so i pushed again, still nothing so i thoght maybe the floor mat had gotten caught under the pedal, just as i was reaching down to pull on floor mat car shot forward. ak
01/20/2000
 While driving in heavy morning traffic vehicle starts whining, then it stalls. has to put gear in park to restart. sometimes the overdrive indicator light comes on. also, when pulling out in traffic, it doesn't engage in gear immediately, when putting foot on accelerator, it can cause an accident. *ak
05/17/1999109/14/1998
 While driving rear wheels locked up and power steering malfunctioned, causing loss of most steering ability. also, vehicle stalled unexpectedly due to defective transmission, almost causing a crash. *ak *ml
03/08/20000
 Transmission/overdrive kicks in and out which could cause a rear end collision. *ak
11/01/1996205/01/1996
 Body paint-acid like blemishes; brakes-premature wearing out; seat- driver's seat loose; seat belt- belt does not retract fully and catches in closing door ,resulting in broken button; engine(cold starts)- engine prone to stalling and low idle speed; remote trunk and fuel filler door release - remote release does not always function; water leaks into trunk while trunk is open; vehicle rides harshly - struts checked and no trouble found; auto transmission shifting difficulty shifting from reverse to park; trunk lock inoperable during cold weather; power windows binding.
09/02/1997
 Automatic transmission locks up while driving on highway. *ak
11/01/1998111/01/1996
 No summary( dot number: tire size: p205r15 )
06/18/19981
 Vibration from transmission befor and after replacement.
04/30/1998
 Steering wheel vibrates when stopping the vehicle. transmission has been replaced. dealer contacted about the problem, and is not aware of any remedies. *ak
03/14/199703/14/1997
 Overdrive light comes on while driving, causing the vehicle to jerk/idle high and cut off.
07/01/1996206/07/1996
 When coming to a stop the vehicle stalls. during operation at 10 to 20 mph the vehicle jerks back and forth.*ak *slc
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
 The floor shift automatic transmission control became damaged in result of gear position indicator deteriorate and not indicate the actual gear position. consumer vin number dose not comply to recall. please provide further information. ts
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
04/05/2000102/01/1996
 The 3 bolts holding bracket came loose. 2 sheared off and 1 stripped out. had to replace transaxle and bracket. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT
06/15/2000212/01/1999
 Consumer took vehicle to repair shop for wheel bearing problem. last time he brought vehicle to repair shop was last year in june , 2000. currently, wheel bearings malfunctioned again. *ak *jb
01/12/200005/01/1996
 The car has had a history of suspension, linkage and bearing failures since it was purchased. mercury dealers and manufacturers have not been helpful. the mechanics at the dealer explained to me off the record that these cars have a history of front end failures however, the dealer and the manufacturer refuse to acknowledge it. you are invited to test drive the car and experience the vibration and poor handling to assit you in your investigation.
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT
10/15/199610010/01/1996
 We have had a problem with this car since we bought it. first it was the driveshaft while we were traveling then it was the paint starting to crack, then it was the power steering going out when it was raining. dealership had no idea what was wrong. just found out when my husband took a/c switch out that it was burned. called dealership when it first happenned even though we still had an extended warranty and wanted money out of us. we couldn't afford it. please see if any of these are defects to where a dealer in west palm beach can correct the problem at no cost. our warranty has expired at 60,000 miles. car still vibrates and we have no a/c and it is hot here in florida. we would also like to get the paint taken care of us they knew about it from the beginning when we bought the car. along with the power steering going out. they said nothing was wrong. this was jim hayes ford in harrisburg, il. we now live in florida so if you can help us solve these problems it would be greatly appreciated. thanking you in advance. jeanette prather please e-mail anything you have to jprath6@bellsouth.net. *ak
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
 While vehicle was being serviced for another issue, consumer was informed that vehicle developed transmission problems and it would not move at all.*jb
106/28/1996
 Vehicle was in for overheating and stalling repair when dealer notified consumer of complete manual transmission failure, consumer finds this failure odd since there have been no previous problems with the transmission. *slc

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