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 - ENGINE
0112406/25/2001622665On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil pan gasket repair has been performed. *tt10/22/2001
981132902/01/1998607497Information regarding the the availability of the revised headgasket for coolant loss conditions on some engines. *tt09/24/1999
98269504/01/1998603583Some vehicles with 3.8l engine may use shorter head bolts in the outboard position. *yc02/25/1999
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
9918309/06/19996090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure. *tt03/06/2000
9424411/01/199437757Intermittent stalling. *tw01/06/1995
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
986403/30/1998601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt07/21/1998

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE90071FORD MOTOR COMPANY04/02/199006/28/1990BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE
 There is no summary currently available
PE92014FORD MOTOR COMPANY02/04/199206/25/1992ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE
 There is no summary currently available

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
09/25/2002109/01/2096
 Transmission has failed twice. currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. horn also honks as i drive . steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. tires have been changed 4 times in the front. electric windows failed the first day i bought the car. the most dangerous part of the whole deal is that the car will stop running when your driving at55 mph; this happened to me twice. mr
07/24/1999107/01/1999
 I have tried to work with the car lot on this, they refuse & i reported problems within 48 hours of purchase
05/13/1997111/10/1990
 Replaced water pump and belt due to failure.
10/12/19952
 Heat pump failed. *sd
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE
08/19/1997107/01/1988
 Power steering leaks started in 1995 after the motor mounts broke and the automobile was taken in many times to repair the leaks to no avail. hoses and lines were replaced twice, seals were replaced on ps pump, and finally in 1998 the vehicle was taken to a non ford dealer and they were able to fix the problem by replacing the power steering rack and pinion. the money spent was well over $2100.00 to finally repair the leaks. this included the replacement of the motor mounts which were a recall item and i paid for this. i was told that it was not a warranty or recall problem. this failure led to the excessive expenditures for repairs. the latest problem with the car is the head gaskets failed. this is the second time and the estimate is for $1000.00. the headgasket secret warranty only covers through dec. 1998. i have yet to tally all repairs for this vehicle, but i am sure it is well over $5000.00 over the life of the vehicle. transmission replaced, alternator, two power steering pumps, rack and pinion, radiator, two head gasket failures, excessive brake jobs ever since the recall of the rotors, almost yearly after this recall. numerous vacuum leaks under the dash and one again last week. two sets of power steering lines. the car never stays running when it is hot. it has been taken back numerous times with no resolution. the throttle cable stuck while crossing an intersection and almost caused an accident and then broke after driving it to the dealer to check the problem. the rear alignment bolts are frozen. engine and transmission have always leaked excessively. frozen calipers has been a common problem. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
04/26/19946
 Radiator replaced. *sd
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
07/15/2000106/01/1999
 While test driving slide contacts went out, then 2 monthes later they went out again then 10 monthes later went out again. then head gasket went out. cruise dosn't work or horn. ford dealership said they couldn't find replacement so i have to just live without horn and cruise. i think i have short because of horn now but want to charge me to look at it, and it can no longer be driven because of head gasket. *ak
08/19/1997107/01/1988
 Power steering leaks started in 1995 after the motor mounts broke and the automobile was taken in many times to repair the leaks to no avail. hoses and lines were replaced twice, seals were replaced on ps pump, and finally in 1998 the vehicle was taken to a non ford dealer and they were able to fix the problem by replacing the power steering rack and pinion. the money spent was well over $2100.00 to finally repair the leaks. this included the replacement of the motor mounts which were a recall item and i paid for this. i was told that it was not a warranty or recall problem. this failure led to the excessive expenditures for repairs. the latest problem with the car is the head gaskets failed. this is the second time and the estimate is for $1000.00. the headgasket secret warranty only covers through dec. 1998. i have yet to tally all repairs for this vehicle, but i am sure it is well over $5000.00 over the life of the vehicle. transmission replaced, alternator, two power steering pumps, rack and pinion, radiator, two head gasket failures, excessive brake jobs ever since the recall of the rotors, almost yearly after this recall. numerous vacuum leaks under the dash and one again last week. two sets of power steering lines. the car never stays running when it is hot. it has been taken back numerous times with no resolution. the throttle cable stuck while crossing an intersection and almost caused an accident and then broke after driving it to the dealer to check the problem. the rear alignment bolts are frozen. engine and transmission have always leaked excessively. frozen calipers has been a common problem. *ak
1
 Head gasket leaked causing smoke to come from the rear of vehicle. nm
01/29/199911/01/1988
 Around jan 20, 1999 i received a recall notice from ford pertaining to the replacement of the sub frame retaining bolts. work was done at heritage motors in syracuse on 1/29/99. heritage notified me at the time that my front motor mounts were broken and recommended they be replaced. because of convenience i took the car to azria repair service. while replacing the motor mounts mr azria observed that only the two rear sub frame bolts had been replaced by heritage. he showed me that one of the front bolts was in fact already broken and the other front bolt was in dangerous condition. he explained that the motor mounts could not be replaced without drilling or cutting access holes into the frame in order to remove the rust-frozen nuts and bolts holding the sub frame in place. he showed me how removal or at least loosening of the sub frame was necessary to replace the mounts. the inaccessible and frozen retaining bolts made his work unnecessarily time consuming and costly. he advised me that the car could not be driven safely and i therefore authorized him to replace the two remaining bolts as well as the motor mounts. my contention is that heritage should have replaced all the bolts (front and rear) as part of the safety recall since all the bolts were known to be in dangerous condition and posed a hazard to the vehicle. i do not feel that i should have to pay for parts and labor pertaining to those items which were known by ford to be defective and posed a safety hazard to the vehicle. i am retaining the original parts in case anyone wishes to examine their condition. my bill from azria service was $575.41
07/17/1993
 Consumer has received a recall letter, manufacturer's recall #98s36/nhtsa #98v323000, consumer has taken the vehicle to be repaired, and dealer did not replace what was said to be replaced in the letter. *ak
06/01/199805/25/1997
 While driving at any speed the vehicle was vibrating, and there was knocking noise coming from the motor mounts. also, transmission went out. in addition, when consumer tried start vehicle up, vehicle died out without any prior warning and caught on fire. *ak
09/16/1998
 Recall mfr 38s36/ 98v323000 problem in front rather than rear. dealer contacted,and cannot remedy problem due to compliance with recall. also transmission problem occurred on 1/15/99. problems still exists. provide further information. *ak
10/31/199704/01/1989
 I was just told recently that this major engine failure was known about by the manufactures about the head bolts causing the head gaskets to blow and damage the heads and valves. i was also told that if i were to send in a copy of my repair bill to the manufacturer that i would be fully reimbursed. can you please send me by mail the address that i could send the copies to? i would appreciate that very much , thank you.
07/05/1997108/01/1995
 Motor mount failed.
02/20/1997104/01/1994
 Head gasket failed.
03/01/1993103/01/1993
 Motor mounts worn, causing vehicle to stumble/stall. *dh
12/05/1995
 Engine mounts have failed, involved in recall for motor mounts, dealer made repairs, but again had same problem. tt
09/11/1995
 Sub frame motor mounts broke. tt
10/02/19942
 Recall repair on motor mounts not performed when brought in for recall work (92m77), repairs performed when vehicle age exceeded time limit and fee charged. *tw
05/15/19951
 Motor mount broke, resulting in leakage and other damage. tt
04/06/19950
 Motor mounts failed twice prior to recall.
01/16/19921
 Replaced leaking engine valve cover gasket. *ak
01/30/19950
 Right front motor mount failed after recall repairs. *skd
03/21/1995
 Engine need a timing gear put in new gasket . tt
01/30/19952
 Front motor mounts failed twice, also noisy engine/rough idling. *skd
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
04/24/19984
 Ongoing problem with engine stalling at any speed. vehicle been into dealer shop on four occasions, and dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *ak *yh
01/24/1999
 When driving at any speed the vehicle is jerking, and the battery light won't go of, and the vehicle is stalling. *ak
06/01/199805/25/1997
 While driving at any speed the vehicle was vibrating, and there was knocking noise coming from the motor mounts. also, transmission went out. in addition, when consumer tried start vehicle up, vehicle died out without any prior warning and caught on fire. *ak
07/23/1996
 Vehicle caught on fire while driving in engine compartment and totaled the car. *ak
07/23/1996112/01/1989
 Vehicle caught on fire while driving in engine compartment and totaled the car. *ak *slc
01/30/19951
 Vehicle fire. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
05/13/1997111/10/1990
 Replaced water pump and belt due to failure.
09/07/19957
 Replaced pulley belt.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
05/17/1996103/01/1993
 Eec-iv unit failed. *dh