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1992 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Taurus years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 27 of 681 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 217 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

52 crash reports21 fire reports38 injury reports

Structure complaints

67 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1997
Structure

RECALL 93V106002; BECAUSE OF THE 99,000 MILES THE DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM THE RECALL WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #818169

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Structure

BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNER OF THE SUBFRAME BECAME DETACHED . OWNER HAD THE MOUNTS REPLACED AT 28K MILES PRIOR . THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #817689

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1997
Structure

RECALL-93V106002; THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER BOTH RECALLS, AND NOW BETWEEN TWELVE MONTHS, THE TWO BOLTS HAS BROKEN COMPLETELY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART UNDER THE RECALL AGAIN BECAUSE THE TWELVE MONTH WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WARRANTY( IT SHOULD BE PUT IN WRIT…

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RECALL-93V106002; THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER BOTH RECALLS, AND NOW BETWEEN TWELVE MONTHS, THE TWO BOLTS HAS BROKEN COMPLETELY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART UNDER THE RECALL AGAIN BECAUSE THE TWELVE MONTH WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WARRANTY( IT SHOULD BE PUT IN WRITTING). *AK

NHTSA ODI #816540

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 1997
Structure

THE FRONT AND REAR MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE WEAKENED, BUT THE FRONT HAVE WEAKENED MORE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #813025

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

BRAKE CALIPERS CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI #516296

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1997
Structure

WHILE DRIVING SUB-FRAME FAILED WHEN ENGINE DETACHED FROM BOLTS, THEN ENGINE DROPPED ONTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO CORROSION OF MOUNTING PLATE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #809691

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 1996
StructureVehicle Speed Control

RECALL RELATED, 93V106000, STRUCTURE FRAMES AND MEMBERS RECALL, MOTOR WENT INTO THE HOOD, ACCLERATOR STUCK. *AK CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATOR STUCK AND SEEMED TO EXPLODE, CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY OFF AS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE SMALL PARTS AND ANTI-FREEZE IN A TRAIL OF APPROXIMATELY 80 FEET, C…

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RECALL RELATED, 93V106000, STRUCTURE FRAMES AND MEMBERS RECALL, MOTOR WENT INTO THE HOOD, ACCLERATOR STUCK. *AK CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATOR STUCK AND SEEMED TO EXPLODE, CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY OFF AS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE SMALL PARTS AND ANTI-FREEZE IN A TRAIL OF APPROXIMATELY 80 FEET, CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #985975

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 1996
Structure

THE GRAY PLASTIC TRIM ON OUTSIDE DOOR BROKE OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985416

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1996
Structure

RECALL RELATED 93V106002, 3.0 LITER ENGINE, RECALL INVOLVED 3.8 LITER, SUB-FRAME MOTOR MOUNTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #979636

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

DOORS DON'T CLOSE TIGHT, LEAKS.

NHTSA ODI #601093

Official recalls

5

98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members

Dec 16, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 26, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Feb 25, 1997

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

92V065000 · Wheels

May 11, 1992

CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.

Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.

91V145000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Sep 4, 1991

MANUFACTURING ERRORS BY THE SUPPLIER OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH MECHANISM MAY CAUSE THE SECONDARY PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH NOT TO FUNCTION. IF THE LATCH IS NOT IN THE PRIMARY LATCH POSITION, THE LIFTGATE COULD OPEN WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE WERE TO OPEN DURING VEHCILE OPERATION,PASSENGERS OR CARGO COULD FALL FROM THE OPEN LIFTGATE.

Remedy: REPLACE MALFUNCTIONING LIFTGATE LATCHES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

14

RQ98016 · Front Suspension Spring Breakage

Opened Sep 29, 1998 · Closed Jan 12, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS AY BREAK DUE TO MANUFACTURING CRACHS IN COMBINATION WITH CORROSION.

DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor

Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.

EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires

Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

EA96019 · Headlight Failure

Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.

PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires

Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.

DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods

Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

PE95026 · Plastic Trim Panel Separation

Opened May 1, 1995 · Closed Aug 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

There is no summary currently available

EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks

Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

EA93022 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf

Opened Jul 30, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

PE93065 · Underbody Fuel Line Fails

Opened Jul 15, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE93010 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf

Opened Mar 2, 1993 · Closed Jul 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail

Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

There is no summary currently available

Structure

There is no summary currently available