NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
174 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 8, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND MYSELF. THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR (BRAKES, TRANSMISSION) PRIOR TO SELLING THE CAR TO ME. THE CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD OVERALL CONDITION (EXCEPT FOR THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION)AND HAD BEEN ROUTINELY MAINTAINED. IN MARCH THE ENGINE OVERHEATE…
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I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND MYSELF. THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR (BRAKES, TRANSMISSION) PRIOR TO SELLING THE CAR TO ME. THE CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD OVERALL CONDITION (EXCEPT FOR THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION)AND HAD BEEN ROUTINELY MAINTAINED. IN MARCH THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ON THE ORIGINAL OWNER, HE TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAKY HEAD GASKET AND / OR CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD (BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE WITH THE FORD 3.8 ENGINE). OTHER MECHANICS, INCLUDING FORD MECHANICS, GIVE HIM THE SAME DIAGNOSIS OVER THE PHONE. THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS FED UP WITH REPAIRING THE CAR AND DID NOT WANT TO SINK ANY MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR. THE ORIGINAL OWNER OFFERED TO GIVE ME THE CAR - I MADE SEVERAL RECALL INQUIRIES WITH FORD ABOUT THE CAR AND SHARED THE INFORMATION WITH THE ORIGINAL OWNER. RATHER THAN HOPE FOR A FUTURE RECALL THEY SOLD ME THE CAR FOR $500 AND WISHED ME LUCK. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT. I HAVE NOT HAD GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH FORD PRODUCTS MYSELF, BUT BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY SON WHO WILL PAY FOR REPAIRING THE CAR. MY SON IS KEEN ON BUYING A FORD AND I HOPE TO USE THIS CAR AS A LESSON IN NOT BUYING FORD PRODUCTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723748
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ALSO, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING/ SHIMMYING/ SHAKING, AND POPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. CONSUMER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. WHEN RUNNING CAR FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND WON'T TU…
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CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ALSO, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING/ SHIMMYING/ SHAKING, AND POPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. CONSUMER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. WHEN RUNNING CAR FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND WON'T TURN. CONSUMER FEARED STEERING IN TRAFFIC. HEADGASKET AND COOLING REPLACED, BUT THERE IS STILL TRANSMISSION AND STEERING TROUBLE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862676
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHCILE STALLS WHEN PUTTING IN GEAR . ALSO, IT RIDES ROUGH, HAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT, AND IS LOSING COOLANT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860806
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY FORD TAURUS SUFFERED AN ENGINE PROBLEM INVOLVING THE HEAD GASKETS. I WENT TO THREE DIFFERENT FORD AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTERS AND THEY EACH TOLD ME THAT THE FORD'S 3.8 ENGINES ALWAYS SUFFER THIS PROBLEM AT 90,000 MILES LIKE CLOCKWORK. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS ENGINE'S POTENTIAL FOR PROBLEMS, FORD NEVER PUBLISHED THE ROUTINE PR…
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MY FORD TAURUS SUFFERED AN ENGINE PROBLEM INVOLVING THE HEAD GASKETS. I WENT TO THREE DIFFERENT FORD AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTERS AND THEY EACH TOLD ME THAT THE FORD'S 3.8 ENGINES ALWAYS SUFFER THIS PROBLEM AT 90,000 MILES LIKE CLOCKWORK. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS ENGINE'S POTENTIAL FOR PROBLEMS, FORD NEVER PUBLISHED THE ROUTINE PROBLEMS IT WAS HAVING WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINE, AND I SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE 3.8 ENGINE. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WORK AND EXPENSES I HAD WITH THE ENGINE PROBLEM EXCEEDED $2,500. WITHIN TWO WEEKS, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AND THE DEALERS INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE CAUSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $2,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #720429
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING
NHTSA ODI #9000098
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WARPED ROTORS:AFTER AWHILE THE ROTORS BECAME SO WARPED WE HAD TO PUT NEW ONES ON. WATER PUMP:THE CAR KEPT OVERHEATING AND THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED. RADIATOR: THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING OUT ALL OF THE FLUID. HEAD GASKETS: THE HEATER IN THE CAR WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND CAR WOULD NOT HOLD COOLANT FOR VERY LONG. FUEL …
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WARPED ROTORS:AFTER AWHILE THE ROTORS BECAME SO WARPED WE HAD TO PUT NEW ONES ON. WATER PUMP:THE CAR KEPT OVERHEATING AND THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED. RADIATOR: THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING OUT ALL OF THE FLUID. HEAD GASKETS: THE HEATER IN THE CAR WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND CAR WOULD NOT HOLD COOLANT FOR VERY LONG. FUEL PUMP:THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 45 MINUTES. TRANSMISSION: IT WENT OUT ON US AT THE SIDE OF ROAD WHEN WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL PUMP. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE SMELLED SOMETHING VERY HOT, AND IT WENT OUT ON US WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720010
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2000
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, HOWEVER ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (99V-323) WHICH ONLY COVERS SUB-FRAME MOUNTS, CONSUMER WAS DENIED. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #551298
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2000
Power Train
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WAITING FOR OTHER VEHICLES TO PASS, IT JUST DIED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857366
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *ET
NHTSA ODI #784526
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AT 55K MILES TRANSMISSION REPLACED AS WELL AS HEADGASKETS. COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 103K MILES HEADGASKETS AGAIN AN ISSUE WITH RECOMMENDED ENGINE REPLACEMENT BY FORD DEALER. THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE WORK. REPEAT PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718838
Official recalls
6Dec 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.
May 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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.
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.
Jan 4, 1993
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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
13RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA99023 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 6, 1999 · Closed Jun 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ODI has received 50 additional complaiints on MY 1993 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles alleging malfunction of the windshield wiper system including; intermittent or complete stoppage of wiper sweeping; inadequate sweep speed; and other general complaints of poor performace.In some cases, the owner alleges havingto leave the roadway or roll down the window and manually restart the sweeping motion of the wiper arms.Other complaints allege that the wiper sweeps too slowly at the maximum speed setting resulting in inadequate vision during heavy precipition.Some complaints allge repeated wiper system malfunctions despirt having their vehicles serviced at Ford dealerships of replacement of the multi-function switch and/or wiper motor.Ford provided its response to an Information Request Letter indicating that the same wiper motor is used on the MY 1987-1993 Taurus and Sable; however, warranty and complaint data show that the MY 1993 is over represented and may warrant particular attention.An Engineering Ananlysis is necessary to determine if a potential safety defect exists.
PE99015 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 24, 1999 · Closed Aug 6, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING
EA97026 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1997 · Closed May 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
PE97035 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Nov 26, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Front Suspension coil springs may fracture with the vehicle in motion, posing a potential compromise to the driver's ability to control the vehicle.
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.
PE96018 · Headlights Failure
Opened Mar 5, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
There is no summary currently available
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
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
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
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