Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags:frontal (15.7% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Air Bags:frontal complaints here are 2.3× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:frontal | 59 · 15.7% | Investigation closed | DP01001 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 26 · 6.9% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 24 · 6.4% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 19 · 5.1% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 15 · 4% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 15 · 4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 375 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 04E048000 · 2004 · reported 07/12/2004
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 TO 55 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD-ON, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. FORD HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.”NHTSA complaint 867814 — filed 08/15/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“CONSUMER HAS CAR TO DEALER 6 TIMES FOR A LOOSE AIRBAG, CONSUMER SAYS IT JIGGLES A LOT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET BECAUSE THE PANEL…”NHTSA complaint 864763 — filed 07/05/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
“WHEN VEHICLE REAR ENDED A SUV WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. PLEASE PROVIDE…”NHTSA complaint 859388 — filed 03/29/2000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags:frontal issues are the most-reported category, cited in 59 of 375 NHTSA complaints (15.7%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (26), power train:automatic transmission (24), electrical system (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
375 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 84 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 78 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 04E048000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
