Ford CLUB WAGON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
97 owner complaints analyzed
24 distinct recall campaigns
108,206 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1975 to 2001 model years. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 97 complaints (11.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 19.6% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 10.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 8.2% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Tires | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Tires: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Tires:Tread/Belt: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 77 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 8; 2000: 20; 2001: 17; 2002: 12; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 7; 2009: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 739762 · 2001-01-22 (January 22, 2001)
WHILE TRAVELING ONTO BRIDGE THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTED BLACK ICE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE OF TRAFFIC THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT. THE VEHICLE INPACTED THE BRIDGE ON THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND CORNER PANEL AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MILES PER HOUR. THE VEHICLE THROTTLE JAMMED FULL OPEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCERLERATE. THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER EDGE WAS WEDGED INTO THE TIRE RENDERING STERRING CONTROL MINIMUMAL. THE DRIVER COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP USING THE BRAKES, THE COLLISION SHUT OFF FOR THE FUEL DID NOT OPERA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 739762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959475 · 1995-02-02 (February 2, 1995)
ABS, FAILURE OF CALIPERS AND DISC PADS AND ROTORS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976323 · 1995-12-08 (December 8, 1995)
THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 760841 · 2002-04-17 (April 17, 2002)
WE DEVELOPED A LEAK IN THE STEERING SYSTEM WHICH APPEARED TO BE FROM THE STEERING BOX. THE MECHANIC WHO ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE LEAK CHANGED THE HOSES AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. TWO DAYS LATER THE STEERING WAS STILL LEAKING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN SAID THAT THE SYSTEM WAS BURPING DUE TO AIR IN THE LINE OR THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING BOX SEALS, WHICH HE COULD REPLACE. WE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND AN ARTICLE IN "CAR & DRIVER" APR '97 REGARDING STEERING FAILURES IN OUR VEHICLE SO WE ARE CONTACTING YOU TO SEE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 760841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973219 · 1995-10-11 (October 11, 1995)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, STEEL TRANSMISSION LINES CRACKED AND LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID, LEAKED ONTO EXHAUST. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737107 · 2000-11-30 (November 30, 2000)
GEAR SELECTOR LEVER HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY PREVENTING SHIFTING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561562 · 2001-06-13 (June 13, 2001)
THE FUEL TANK SWITCH HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIME CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ON ONE OCCASION THE WAS A NOISE (EXPLOSION) WITH SMOKE AND A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED 7 TIME. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970665 · 1995-08-17 (August 17, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING STARTED NOTICING HESITATION, BUILDING TO STALLING. OWNER THEN BEGAN SMELLING GASOLINE THEN SMOKE FROM REAR. FLAMES SHOT UP IMMEDIATELY INSIDE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 770533 · 2002-12-06 (December 6, 2002)
THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP. DT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 770533 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
1985: 2; 1986: 2; 1987: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 0; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 2; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 0 | 4 | Not available |
| 1979 | 0 | 7 | +3 |
| 1980 | 0 | 3 | -4 |
| 1982 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1983 | 0 | 3 | +2 |
| 1984 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 1986 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| 1989 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 12 | 1 | +1 |
| 1995 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 8 | 2 | +1 |
| 1997 | 16 | 0 | -2 |
| 1998 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 | 0 | 0 |