← New search

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

What owners actually said

681 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2000
Exterior LightingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSAXLE WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. L/F BRAKE PAD STAYS PARTIALLY ENGAGED RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEARING OF SAID PAD; LUCKILY, I WAS COMING TO A SLOW STOP WHEN IT GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT ANALYZED UNTIL MY SECOND FRONT BRAKE JOB WITHIN 25 0R SO MONTHS. WITH WIPERS IN USE, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL…

Read full complaint

TRANSAXLE WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. L/F BRAKE PAD STAYS PARTIALLY ENGAGED RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEARING OF SAID PAD; LUCKILY, I WAS COMING TO A SLOW STOP WHEN IT GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT ANALYZED UNTIL MY SECOND FRONT BRAKE JOB WITHIN 25 0R SO MONTHS. WITH WIPERS IN USE, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSES THE WIPERS TO STOP.THIS TENDS TO BRING ON A SLIGHT SENSE OF PANIC DURING A HEAVY RAIN. LIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT MY EXPENSEAS HAVE ALL OTHER BEFORE MENTIONED PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE WIPER ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR 4 MONTHS AND CAN'T AFFORD FIXING THIS INCONVENIENCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737788

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELLING 40 MPH HEADGASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING FLUID TO CONTAMINATE THE ALTERNATOR WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #876151

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM UPSET, THAT I GOT MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES, THERE IS NO OTHER REASON WHY MY GASKET CAN FAIL SO EARLY (AT 84,000 MILES). THIS IS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, AND I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. THAT IS WHY IT BLEW ON ME, NOT BECUASE OF MY FAULT. IF SOMEONE CAN GET BACK IN TOUCH W…

Read full complaint

I AM UPSET, THAT I GOT MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES, THERE IS NO OTHER REASON WHY MY GASKET CAN FAIL SO EARLY (AT 84,000 MILES). THIS IS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, AND I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. THAT IS WHY IT BLEW ON ME, NOT BECUASE OF MY FAULT. IF SOMEONE CAN GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737336

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000
Structure

CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR 98V-323 OF THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO MORE PARTS AVAILABLE AND THAT PARTS ARE INSTALLED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558205

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2000
Electrical System

VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEED. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875677

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH SPINS FREELY AND THE KEY WILL NOT GO INTO IGNITION EASILY, WHEN THE KEY FINALLY FITS THE CAR WILL NOT START, VEHICLE STALLING HAS BEEN OCCURRING. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #557626

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
Tires

FIRESTONE FR680 TIRE (P205 70 R14) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, THE SEPARATION ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557556

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Structure

I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE (800) 392 3673 SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS LISTED AS A RECALL ON YOUR WEBSITE, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I THINK THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING THE PROBLEM, IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736226

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES IN HOT WEATHER AND IN TRAFFIC, VEHICLE ALSO SURGES WHEN IDLING OR AFTER DRIVING LONG DISTANCES AND PULLING TO A TOLL BOOTH OR RED LIGHT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557193

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Power Train

I'M OUT THE COST OF BUYING THIS CAR AND THE REPAIRS I'VE MADE--CANNOT INVEST ANY MORE $. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735921

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