The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 4.6l engines. A coolant flow blockage exists at the intake manifold heater core nipple resulting in no coolant flow to the heater and, therefore, no warm air flow from the heater or windshield defroster. Vehicles with this condition do not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems."
The risk
Loss of visibility could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Customers will be asked to verify, following instructions provided, that heated air flows from their vehicle's heater/defroster outlets. The customers will be advised to contact their dealers to make arrangements for repair of their vehicles if no heated air flow exists at these outlets.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 00V-355 (00V355000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 00S43 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system |
| Report date | November 3, 2000 |
| Owners notified | December 21, 2000 |
| Vehicles affected | 11,400 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the a/c & heater
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 00V-355 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Customers will be asked to verify, following instructions provided, that heated air flows from their vehicle's heater/defroster outlets. The customers will be advised to contact their dealers to make arrangements for repair of their vehicles if no heated air…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 11,400 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.