10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 20
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 23,680 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Insulation of wires in wiring harness cracked and had to be "shaken" sometimes in order to start vehicle. Also, turn signal came on by itself, and after that wires started smoking. Consumer then pulled a fuse which stopped wires from smoking. Please provide any additional information.
- Clio, SC, USA
Original diagnosis by independent mechanic: Failure to start vehicle due to three things: Problems in fuse box by battery, burned wires in same area, corrosion of connectors to battery -- Ford store diagnosis: Need new wrap around battery cable connectors -- danger of fire -- when vehicle started twice by independent mechanic there was smoke -- and one of the wires burned through completely> fire danger to engine
- Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Original diagnosis by independent mechanic: Failure to start vehicle due to three things: Problems in fuse box by battery, burned wires in same area, corrosion of connectors to battery -- Ford store diagnosis: Need new wrap around battery cable connectors -- danger of fire -- when vehicle started twice by independent mechanic there was smoke -- and one of the wires burned through completely> fire danger to engine
- Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Accesory wire harness insulation wore out. Therefore bare wires touched frame of car and shorted out. Therefore causing fire. After inspection, all other wires seem to be cracking and wearing out.
- Honolulu, HI, USA
Consumer took vehicle for manufacturer's recall 99mo3. Vehicle was experiencing poor traction control, and ABS lights were on constantly. Dealer said wiring harness could cause it not to work. Dealer won't do recall because title was branded. Dealer was wood house Ford in blair ne. Phone no. 402-926-4126.
- Fort Calhoun, NE, USA
After driving parked the vehicle then went inside of house, then came back out to vehicle and found out that vehicle was on fire without a prior warning. Believed that fire had started from underhood.
- Gary, IN, USA
Consumer was traveling 50-55mph, avehicle started smoking at a stop light, and when taking off. Consumer pulled over, and it bursted into flames. Insurance company never said what caused fire. Vehicle was totaled
- Tijeras, NM, USA
This vehicle was a total loss. I had to replace with a new vehicle in June 2000. No safety defect listed in summary.
- Statesville, NC, USA
While driving at 25 mph vehicle stalled, not able to start vehicle again. In for repairs at this time. 2 cables under hood had melted. Also seat belt casing on rear middle seat fell apart.
- Bentonville, AR, USA
While traveling through a parking lot smoke permeated passenger's compartment. Fire department opened hood, and stated that an electrical fire had occurred. No injuries. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Under investigation at present. 059749 # fire department, report station 46 loop, 1604 us 281 North, stone oak, tx.
- Schertz, TX, USA
The problems that I have encountered have happened more than 10 times within 2 months. I have had the vehicle in 3 well known automobile repair shops, and no one can locate the problem. When the vehicle stalls, then the problem is there. Unless the problem happens while it's in the shop no one can seem to locate any problem. But, I can tell you that I can only drive the vehicle for about 25 miles before it stalls again. We then have to remove the battery and recharge, and the vehicle will work again. Then drive for about 25 miles, and it stalls again. This, as I said, has happened about 10 times within 2 months. I have only been able to drive the vehicle for 4 days during this time. Please look into this, as now I have heard about the California Ford recall, and I feel lilke my vehicle may have manufacturing defects in the wiring components. Thank you sincerely!!!
- Wilmer, AL, USA
Cooling fan shorted out - noticed thich black smoke - fire dept determined fire originated from cooling fan motor shorting out
- Rhinelander, WI, USA
While driving smoke started to come from under the hood and vehicle caught on fire. Dealer has inspected vehicle.
- New Orleans, LA, USA
PE00023, wiring harness which connects to the fan short circuit and caused a fire. There is an improvement campaign 99M03 which states that they will fix the wiring harness. But, Ford is trying to cover up the defect.
- Antioch, TN, USA
While idling in traffic, cooling fan made terrible noise and smoke poured out from under hood. Coolant temp. Quickly rose. Had to stop and let vehicle cool before limping home without an effective cooling fan.
- Webster, TX, USA
EA00005, smoke started coming from underneath the hood and the flames came out, starting a fire without any prior warning.
- Marietta, OK, USA
Traction control and ABS brake warning light came on. Took to dealer. They said consumer needed a new computer, totalling $1200. Consumer paid to have it fixed, and there is still no traction control or ABS brakes. Currently, dealer indicated that consumer needed wiring harness that connects to computer. A mechanic said it was a problem with these particular cars that water gets in the wiring harness and shorts out the computer. Also, consumer said if braking in skid car would keep going.
- Dungannon, VA, USA
Two other vehicles exhibit same defectas 95 Contour VIN [xxx] and 95 Mercury Mystique 2.5 VIN [xxx]. no safety defect (s) stated within summary. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Orlando, LA, USA
The heater and ac fan first failed at 34,000 miles and was repaired under warranty. The fan motor (under hood) and fan controls (under dash) were both "chared". the same routine occured somewhere between 60 and 80 000 miles. That time the dealership said there was a new repair kit for this defect only since it was out of warranty I would have to pay for it. I did.. this fall the fan quit again. Almost the same time we received a letter from Ford announcing a recall for the heater wiring. After installing the components the dealer said the fan started then quit. Checking their work the decided everything was correct so they chased the wires back to the fuse box. There they couldn't find anything wrong until they pulled the fuse box and the entire underside was charred. When I think of the number of time I brought gas for my lawnmower home in the cat it frightens me. There could have been a real fire. It might have been due to the original problem just not found until now.
- Garrett, IN, USA
- Anna, TX, USA