A recall for brown coolant had been performed on the car in December of 1998. The brown coolant from what I understand now was rust. The dealership replaced two freeze plugs, however the plugs used are not the same as the original. The new plugs were held on with a clamp. It turns out that the rust was already in the coolant system and after two and a half years and approximately 30,000 miles later the clamp rusted out and the coolant poored out of the car which in turn caused the cylinder to crack and burn two head gaskets. Apparently their recall was a bandaid that didn't heal the wound and only caused further damage over time.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

Sand from casting process is inside cooling system. Ford has issued a tsb on this problem. Please provide additional information.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

I notices there are several complaints regarding a cooling system problem. I too have an issue with brown rusted coolent that caused the head gasket to fail. I was told today that it will cost aproximatly $5000 to repair. They want to replace the engin, radiator, heater core, water pump, etc. The service manger at the dealer said that this is caused by poor cooling system design that causes a rust build up and the eventual blown head gasket. Since this is an obvious design flaw with many accounts listed on the NHTSA, I would like an investigation and the possible recall by the manufacturer (Ford).

- Mansfield, MA, USA

Coolant discolorated( rusty and brown) Goodyear mechanic explained it was what is called "brown death" caused by engines not being properly processed at foundry(possibly left sand and metal shavings inside engines. Engines overheats, coolant runs out freeze plugs blow out thermostat locks up water pump fails temperature gauge doesn't register that its overheating

- Louisville, KY, USA

Noticed brown coolant during maintenance. Had some problems with overheating about two weeks prior. Notified manufacturer, was told out of warranty, no recalls, not a wide spread problem. Took to non-dealer shop. Found leaking head gasket. Replaced head gaskets, thermostat, coolant overflow container, and anti-freeze. Resurfaced cylinder heads. Performed cooling system flush. During routine maintenance at ~50,000 miles noticed brown coolant again.

- Detroit, MI, USA

Water pump failed. During inspection and repair a rust colored fluid was noticed to be contaminating coolant system.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Coolant fluid shot out of radiator onto engine and vents, and mist appeared all over passenger's compartment. Took to dealer, and dealer replaced radiator and hoses. Five months later, water was leaking from bottom of vehicle, took to dealer, and they said it was related to heater core recall. Dealer they replaced heater core pump assembly and core assembly. 14 months later, radiator started leaking. Dealer said it was part of the same recall, but they were going to charge consumer.

- Kenewick, WA, USA

Afraid to drive car, don't know when to expect next failure. No contact from manufacturer, do they care?no safety defect listed.

- Roseville, CA, USA

Engine coolant system corroded turning brown. Changed coolant, radiator assy - remmoved, expansion coolant removed - replaced at 27473 miles and recently changed coolant at 33322, still corroding. Failure with power tran, gear change problem, overhualed power tran at 33290. Received bad service at galpin Ford. Galpin Ford did not honerd my warranty, had to call Ford to enforce the warranty. Galpin Ford refused to fixed the coolant problem, galpin Ford left off the cap on the radiator, while I was driving notice it and did report to galpin Ford.

- North Hills, CA, USA

No safety defect listed for above vehicle.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

Consumer was not aware of the recall prior to purchase, vehicle denied recall repair due to time restrictions. (98B2)

- Murrieta, CA, USA

Engine coolant is turning brown. Changed coolant at 20,000 miles and recently changed again at 45,000.shoud not be happening on a 97' vehicle.

- Newport News, VA, USA

Heater core failed after 4 times and 2nd engine failed. Cooling problems never found.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

The problems with my Taurus are the result of the poorly designed cooling system of the 1997 model. A cooling system bypass kit was introduced by Ford. I am trying find out whether or not a recall was done. In the last 4 months, starting Nov. 1999, three freeze plugs have blown. The Ford service mechanic says this is due to the acid build up in the corroded coolant in the cooling system due to the poorly designed cooling system. So far the head freeze plugs, the block freeze plugs, the water pump, the thermostat, and the overflow tank have been replaced because of corrosion at a cost of $800. After the last repair of the block freeze plugs and water pump, within 30 miles of driving the head has either cracked or warped, or the head gasket has blown. I have an estimate of $1211 to diagnose and repair (if no head cracks). I have been told that it is enivitable that the transmission freeze plug, radiator, and heater core will fail. The only way to guarantee proper running condition would require a rebuild and replacement of radiator and heater core at a cost of $4500. Ford has been apathetic about my problems. In this site, I have found complaints of similar problems due to the cooling system corrosion. Complaints of blown heads and leaking heater cores. I feel Ford should remedy my problem in some way. Please contact me I you can help me.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

While traveling temperature gauge ran high, vehicle overheated. Gauge was replaced. Week later vehicle overheated again. Please provide further informaton.

- Fall River, MA, USA

Received manufacturer recall notice 98B23/engine cooling system. Dealer refused to honor notice because vehicle was not in computer, but correct VIN # was on notice. Can NHTSA help in this matter or provide information on this matter.

- Huntington, NY, USA

Engine coolant system corroded even though it had been flushed just previously, causing a cylinder head/head gasket to crack requiring $1,600 is repairs to the owner. Vehicle is not currently under a warranty, so owner is having to pay for repairs that he feels are the result of a manufacturing defect. Owner was advised by service attendant at Ford dealership that there have been numerous problems just like this with this year, make and model. If the coolant system is not flushed a certain way, which the owner has no way of knowing, the problems identified here will occur. If it is bad enough, service technician informed owner that it may result in total engine failure.

- Lee's Summit, MO, USA

The engine cooling system heater coil broke, causing a chemical odor inside of vehicle & a mist. Had been to dealer at least 8 times for the problem & each time the heater coil was replaced along with the engine to correct the heater coil from blowing.

- Coral Gables, FL, USA

Recall repair work on the brown coolant was not completed as stated by dealership.

- Tyler, TX, USA