When traveling consumer noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Anti-freeze was spraying onto the engine when vehicle overheated. Consumer contacted the dealer. Dealer determined the cause to be a frozen plug which needed replacing.

- West Kenneburk, ME, USA

Rust in coolant, water pump corroded, had to back flush all related hoses, performed at owner expense. Problem restarted after 2 months. Ford contacted and no related recall notices indicated, although numerous NHTSA customer complaints are available.

- Dunedn, FL, USA

Estimated costs of 3000 dollars to repair engine and cooling problems 60 days to diagnose problem still does not run correctly no warranties even with a purchased extended warranty dealer has been closed by the attorney general for fraud. No satisfaction from Ford Motor Co.

- Nashua, NH, USA

Freeze plug malfunctioned, after it was fixed a smellof coolent was in car. It then went away, Dec 1999 all five freeze plugs malfunctioned at 57000. I was informed advisory went to all owners. Did not receive advisory now it is too late to fix.

- Richmond, VA, USA

Ford is not providing any information on coolant rust denying rust at all. Have replaced resevoir for antifreeze due to a previous recall... heater coil has gone out due to corrosion that Ford is denying even exsists.

- Towanda, KS, USA

No summary provided by consumer

- Mt. Vernon, NY, USA

The vehicle has history of temperature fluctuations. The dealer has flushed the cooling system on several occasions and a recall for the cooling system was performed. While driving on the interstate without warning the car began to run rough and lose power, I immediately pulled to the side of the road. Steam then began to billow from under the hood and into the passenger compartment. The vehicle was towed to a Ford dealer and I was informed the heads were cracked and the engine was full of water. The fix was to replace the engine. I have contacted Ford customer service by phone only to be told the car is out of warrenty and Ford has no obligation to to pay for any of the damages. Letters written to Ford have gone unanswered.

- Taylor Mill, KY, USA

Repetative brown cooling system problems.

- Yuba City, CA, USA

Vehicle was repaired under service recall # 98B27 in Dec of 98 for the cooling unit. While driving vehicle overheated and died because it was leaking anti freeze. Dealer and manufcturer have been notified.

- Harvey, IL, USA

Recall on engine cooling system, however engine overheating and complete engine replacement after repair. Mjs

- Covington, LA, USA

Says in my report that fins were missing on shaft of water pump.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

When sitting in vehicle or driving there is a coolant smell and vapors are getting into the vehicle from the engine.

- Granger, IN, USA

Called the dealer to schedule repairs, was informed that there was a recall on my vehicle for coolant system problems. Was told to just bring it in and they would fix it.brought it to the dealer on 09/21/99 and was then informed they would not do the repair for free because the recall had expired on 08/31/99. Called Ford and was informed this was not a recall but an owner notification. I received no notification, but experienced mechanical problems directly related to defect in manufacture. Is this not a safety issue" shouldn't they have to repair this vehicle at no cost to me? I was not notified of this problem and am the original owner. If this was an owner notification program and not a recall why was I not notified"

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

Engine coolant temperature fluctuates. Gurgleing sound under hood during fluctuations. Odor heat smell enters car during fluctuations. Dealer claims fluctuations are normal, but, did install a bypass kit on the cooling system after numerous returns to the dealrship. Ford consumer line representatives claimsthere are no problems reported on the make and model, and there are no recalls on the make and model.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

Car was taken in for recall on cooling system on November 11, 1998. Failure in cooling system on December 27, 1998. Head gasket was blown VIN number is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Terre Haute, IN, USA

Transmission, radiator, and water pump all replaced in first 66K. This car has been very expensive to maintain. I am forced to purchase my next car from Japan or europe. So much for supporting the american economy.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

Two to three gallons of water accumulated in the engine block apparently due to a cooling system failure involving the collapse of the head gasket. The engine was destroyed and had to be replaced. Ford Motor Company blew off my complaint, and the repair dealership (friendly Ford/North miami beach) said that it must have been raining. Unfortunately, the vehicle does not come equipped with a spare engine for rainy days. I spoke with the dealership that sold me the car (deel Ford/coral gables) which at first said that there had been a recall of certain 1996 Ford Taurus for precisely this problem, but when they checked my VIN, they claimed it fell outside the scope of that recall, and they refused to furnish an explaination. Subsequently, I discovered that the cooling system failure had also significantly degraded the transmission. The repair bills have been enormous. We find it inconceivable that the engine/cooling system was not defective since there is no other explaination in our view for the accumulation of two to three gallons of water in the engine block. Since this is a mass produced vehicle, if this happened to us it has probably happen to others.

- Key Biscayne, FL, USA

Cooling system leaks anti-freeze and overheats.

- El Paso, TX, USA

The vehicle continues to overheat; the "hot" needle zooms to "H" without warning and the air conditioner spews out hot air; upon stopping, coolant erupts fromthe reserve tank and spills out in volume onto the pavement and the car becomes undriveable.

- Centreville, VA, USA

The seal between engine and transmission failed causing engine coolant to drain completely out. Vehicle overheated and stalled.

- Plymouth, MN, USA