Smoke was rising from underneath car on the right side. Turned engine off and found oil was running down and hitting the hot exhaust pipe causing the smoke. Car was towed to the repair facility. Repair facility found the oil pan gasket was bulged out on the right side about 3/4" thus allowing oil to run out of the oil pan. Oil pan gasket was replaced.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

Intermittenly check engine light become innoperable obstructing drivers. Rear brakes squealing and moaning failed caused by the rotors. Rotor which went bad causing damages the rear brakes and pads.

- Fresno, CA, USA

Consumer states that while driving the vehicle smoke started coming out of the vehicle and seconds later the vehicle got completely on fire.fire was coming from the engine. Dealer was not notified. Nlm

- Leesport, PA, USA

When starting vehicle it will kick over but fail to start. After numerous tries vehicle will start, this has happened several times. Vehicle has been inspected by dealer several times, mechanic found no problem.

- Cypress, CA, USA

Consumer states RPM races up to 4,000 rpms for no reason. Dealer could not duplicate problem. And the problem still exist.

- Glenwood, IL, USA

Rotor service on front end of vehicle once every year for the last two years. Dealer has been notified, however unable to remedy the problem. The consumer experienced tires shaking, clunking noise in front wheels when turning, and squeaking noise in rear end when braking. The heater and defroster make a buzzing noise, the brakes pulsate. The rear right brake and rotors failed. The service engine soon light came on. Engine makes a buzzing noise when start. The vehicle is not shift correctly. The driver door does not close properly. The vehicle would not start due to battery failure.

- Slatington, PA, USA

While driving vehicle will jerk and than stall out.

- Washington, DC, USA

The engine revs when the brakes fail, the dealer could not duplicate the problem.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

As documented on V8sho.com site. Mine hasn't failed but 59 have and I want to know what Ford is responsible for in the way of repairs. No safety defec tlisted.

- Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA

The engine revs when the brakes fail, the dealer could not duplicate the problem.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

Vehicle can be in drive and moving, or in park and sitting still, the engine will begin to hesitate after running for 10-15 minutes. The dashboard instruments get extremely hot, the lighting will dim on its own. All electronics (I.e. radio, air conditioning etc...) will fail. The car will then cut off without warning. Vehicle also lunges forward if in park or stopped while in drive, if it has been running for 10-15 minutes or more.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Proceeding down the street and the engine shut off and the tires locked and the brakes failed. Could not stop or steer, hit a pole.

- Mansfield, MA, USA

When this car is running more than 40minutes, the engine "bucks"/jerks/hesitates and is not responsive--as if it would stall but never does, 'though the dash "trouble" lights blink for 1/2 second each time. This was repeated 2-3 times at each of 5 seprate incidents. I had the engine checked with a scanner at my regular mechanic's place and the transmission checked at a reliable transmissions specialist. Nothing found. Various road tests could not reproduce this experience. I did replace the fuel filter. Other incidents occurred 6/21 about 15-min. Later after being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for 20 minutes on a 55-60mph route I always use. The 3rd incident was 7/6, accelerating after a full-stop intersection. 4th&5th were on 7/8 when driving @25-30mph, but driving for a while. I do notice after driving 15-20 minutes regularly, the automatic shift @between 35-40mph hesitates. I have been keeping my highest speeds down to 60mph or less, and usually driving no more than 1/2hr. Each trip. I'm afraid to take a long trip for fear the car will hesitate, lose power, or slow down in heavy expressway traffic. I am concerned for my safety.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

After 40 mph the car has a surging problem. I took it to my dealer and they replaced the throttle sensor which they informed me that it did not fix the problem. They called Ford Motor Co and found out there is a surging problem when the hydrocarbon builds up. They dont know how to fix the problem so they are not going to recall them until they know how to fix the problem. When you put the car in neutral while driving 40 mph the RPM's go up. They are supposed to go down. Patalano Ford expects me to pay for the throttle sensor even though they know it did not fix the problem. I am riding in an unsafe car. What can be done about this?

- Norfolk, MA, USA

Was driving to work ar 5am on 6-21 and it was raining while sitting at a stop sign an 18 wheeler passed and caused water to splash up and my car died. I started the car and went on to work and worked 7.5 hours on my way home I was motioned off the road by another driver and told to get out of the car that there was flames shooting out from the car this driver took me to get a tow truck and while we were gone the fire dept had to be called to put a fire out on the car. The car has been at putnam Lincoln for over 2 months because it has to have a new motor and Ford will not replacre the motor because they said I drove through water this has caused me much stress and mental trauma and because of this I might have to file bankruptcy if I can not get help getting my car back on the road. I was told by putnam that the same thing happened to another Ford car the same day and have been told about several 1997 Ford vechicles that the same thing has happened to and that the consumer has to pay to fix the vechicle I can not afford to fix the vechicle and it is not safe for a vechicle that will catch on fire to be on the road and if the problem was due to me driving in the rain that am why and how could it catch on fire that afternoon. I need help desperately please I have also been told that Ford can not determing the amount of damage caused by the fire until they get the 3500. Need for the new motor and get the car started again all Ford has offered me is to extend two months payments I am scared of this vehicle and do not really want it back but I need to get the whole situation resolved somehow I had this vechicle back to the dealer several times for fuel pump problems whie it was still under warranty I thank god that I was not injured but I need something done about the car

- Van Buren, AR, USA

Was driving to work ar 5am on 6-21 and it was raining while sitting at a stop sign an 18 wheeler passed and caused water to splash up and my car died. I started the car and went on to work and worked 7.5 hours on my way home I was motioned off the road by another driver and told to get out of the car that there was flames shooting out from the car this driver took me to get a tow truck and while we were gone the fire dept had to be called to put a fire out on the car. The car has been at putnam Lincoln for over 2 months because it has to have a new motor and Ford will not replacre the motor because they said I drove through water this has caused me much stress and mental trauma and because of this I might have to file bankruptcy if I can not get help getting my car back on the road. I was told by putnam that the same thing happened to another Ford car the same day and have been told about several 1997 Ford vechicles that the same thing has happened to and that the consumer has to pay to fix the vechicle I can not afford to fix the vechicle and it is not safe for a vechicle that will catch on fire to be on the road and if the problem was due to me driving in the rain that am why and how could it catch on fire that afternoon. I need help desperately please I have also been told that Ford can not determing the amount of damage caused by the fire until they get the 3500. Need for the new motor and get the car started again all Ford has offered me is to extend two months payments I am scared of this vehicle and do not really want it back but I need to get the whole situation resolved somehow I had this vechicle back to the dealer several times for fuel pump problems whie it was still under warranty I thank god that I was not injured but I need something done about the car

- Van Buren, AR, USA

This problem really hampers my need for speed. No safety defect listed in summary.

- Dayton, OH, USA

The auto dosn't slow down correctly. On level highway it only slows to 45mph without applying the brakes. My 1992 Ford Taurus did not act this way. The dealer and Ford customer assistance center say this is normal, but the loaner car also a 1998 Taurus did not act this way. This problem is a safety hazard, wastes gasoline, and caused the breaks to wear out faster. I would be willing to demonstrate the car to your department if you have a location in wichita, ks. Also, your web site is nice and user frendly. Thanks, steve wright

- Cheney, KS, USA

Steering wheel pulsation wwhen braking over 50mph 2 different dealers tried to fix the problem bought it back to Ford 7 times. Engine stopped when parallel parking brake light came on twice car is only 8 months

- Paterson, NJ, USA

The engine knocks and pings when it's ready to shift to the next gear, the original engin was replaced and the problem is still occuring.

- Phila., PA, USA