Owners filed 24 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components › disc › rotor. It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Tires › Tread/Belt
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
3
0
2
0
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
2
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
2
0
1
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
2
0
0
0
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element
1
0
0
0
Tires › Sidewall
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
1
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
1
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Control Arm
1
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control08V051000
Filed Feb 4, 2008225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility04V562000
Filed Nov 26, 20041,660 vehiclesMobility Works
Defect. ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 7, 2015236,092 milesOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FAN SWITCH THAT CONTROLS THE FAN SPEED MELTED AND BURNED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULLED THE COVER FOR THE DASHBOARD, AND REMOVED THE WIRES THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BURNED WIRES SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,092.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 28, 200997,000 milesOR
SPARK PLUG EJECTION. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Tires1 injured
Filed Jul 25, 2008TX
I HAVE MICHELIN XPS 235-83/R16 TIRES ON MY MOTORHOME, LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. FOR NO REASON, I HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES OUT OF 4 TIRES. THE LAST FAILURE WAS IN THE RV LOT, WHERE I HAVE BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS, AND THE TIRE JUST BLEW OUT, SAME WITH THE OTHER 3 TIRES. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE RECALL ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES.. *TR
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Feb 2, 2008NC
FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICE TO REMEDY THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL SPECIFIED IN ODI ID NUMBER : 10056190. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIPS IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA & BLACK MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA MONTHLY SINCE I WAS ADVISED OF THE RECALL AUGUST, 2007. EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS UNAVAILABLE FROM FORD. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 14, 2006150,000 milesOK
SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM CYLINDER HEAD AND REPEATEDLY STRUCK PRESSURIZED FUEL RAIL. *JB
Power Train › Automatic TransmissionFire
Filed Mar 30, 2005OR
FORD ECONOLINE ( 25V) 1997, ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING. *BF PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE FIRE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT ARE IN FORD VEHICLE. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 31, 200535,975 milesCA
HEATER TEMP CONTROL FAILS. *AK
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Jan 30, 2004134,511 milesWI
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE SPED UP, LOSS OF BRAKES
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Dec 30, 2003100,000 milesIL
BLOWN SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE HEAD, TOOK THE THREADS WITH IT COSTING OVER $3000.00 FORD WILL NOT EXCEPT RESPONSABILITY FOR THERE NEGLIGENCE IN THERE MACHINE SHOP CAN YOU HELP?
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Aug 15, 200315,000 milesOH
THE BALL JOINTS AND TIRES WORE OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. DRIVER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM EVERY 5000 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF LUBRICATION. *AK BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH THE FRONT RIM AND THE ROTORS. *PH *JB
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed May 28, 200381,070 milesWA
STEERING BOX FAILURE. SET SCREW ON RACE NUT BACKED OUT CAUSING GEAR RACE NUT TO COMPLETELY BACK OUT CAUSING GEAR INPUT SHAFT TO MOVE AND BIND ON GEAR VALVE HOUSING. THIS CAUSED MY STEERING TO LOCK UP TO THE RIGHT AND FORCE ME OFF THE FREEWAY AT 45 MPH.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 8, 2002OH
VEHICLE WAS TOWED DUE TO ENGINE LOCKING UP, ENGINE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A TSB REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, TSB99-20-7. *SLC
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 7, 2001CT
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW THE FRONT END AND BRAKES HAS CONSTANTLY GIVEN ME PROBLEMS.VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING OR IF YOU LET THE WHEEL LOOSE. CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEMS, MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE'S, ROTOR FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD FAILURES,CALIPER FAILURES, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 65-70MPH TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 57000 MILES AND BALANCED, THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP SHAKING. DEALER SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THIS SHAKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MANY BRAKE PARTS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I JUST HAD ANOTHER BRAKE JOB COMPLETED AT DEBARTOLO'S SERVICE,INC 860/739-6073 AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE FRONT END CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND THAT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE REASON WHY THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. MR. DEBARTOLO SAID IT IS POSSIBLE THE VEHICLES FRAME MAY BE BENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND MR. DEBARTOLO SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS TO BE A FACTORY PROBLEM SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW. I STOPPED GOING TO PLAZA FORD SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIX THIS VEHICLE CORRECTLY. NO ONE HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE DEALER UNTIL RECENTLY. THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR MY BUSINESS AND BEING WITHOUT IT COSTS ME ALOT OF MONEY AND TIME. NOW I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR MY EMPLOYEE'S SAFETY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 4, 2001LA
TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO FRONT TIRES OF MY VAN. VAN STARTED TO VIBRATE, AND DEVELOPED A SHIMMY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. VAN WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS TREAD SEPARATION.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 7BAK PDA TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 15, 2001FL
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TIRES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. HE THOUGHT HE HAD A PUNCTURED TIRE. BUT, INSTEAD THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION.*AK CONSUMER HAS SINCE PURCHASED FIVE NEW TIRES. (FIRESTONE TIRES STEELTEX RADIAL LT225/75R16- DOTVDTL1XB426)*JB
Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 21, 2001FL
ONE TIRE BLEWOUT AND THE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE OTHER TWO TIRES (16 INCH FIRESTONE TIRES). NLM
Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 7, 2001MA
VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES AT 50-60MPH. AT A STEADY SPEED CONSUMER CAN'T FEEL IT, BUT IF BRAKING TO INCREASE SPEED, IT WILL SHAKE. DEALER HAS CHANGED, AND REPLACED SO MANY THINGS ON VEHICLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Dec 18, 2000FL
THIS IS ONE OF 2 1997 VANS I OWN, THE OTHER VAN ENGINE BLEW AT 78000,THIS ONE DID AT 82000 ,AND IT IS THOUGHT TO BE DUE TO THE REAR SEAL LEAKING ON EXHAUST AND STARTING FIRE AT TANK. *AK
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Dec 1, 2000IA
TIE ROD ENF SNAPPED OFF. VEHICLE HAD NO STEERING. ALSO, THERE WAS LOOSENESS IN FRONT END, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES. MECHANIC SAID NORMALLY IT WAS CAUSED BY BALL JOINTS, BUT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT & HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR IT.*AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Oct 13, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.