Illustration3.8 LT. ENGINES W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ARE VERY FAILURE PRONE, FORD HAS A REAL PROBLEM AND SHOULD MAKE IT RIGHT WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GOT SCREWED BY THESE CARS. *AK
1993 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 65 of 1,557 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 638 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 174 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
54 crash reports49 fire reports35 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,557 reportsWHILE DRIVING CAR OVERHEATS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, CONSUMER HAS TO PULL OVER SO ENGINE WON'T LOCK UP,. THERE IS RECALL 97V019000 ON ENGINE FAN OVERHEATING, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILURE. COOLANT TEMPERATURE FULL HOT, THEN COOLS, THEN FULL HOT, ETC. *AK
1ST REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, NEW PART LASTED UNDER 2 YEARS, NEXT REPLACEMENT WAS JUST UNDER $ 400 AND IT WAS WOBBLY, BUT COULDN'T BE ADJUSTED ANY BETTER. NEW CABLES WERE PUT IN, THE 2ND TIME, THE THIRD TIME, A USED CABLE WORKED BETTER THAN A NEW ONE. ALSO WE HAD OUR MECH. INSTALL A USED SPEEDOMETER, AS THE COST WAS PROHI…
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1ST REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, NEW PART LASTED UNDER 2 YEARS, NEXT REPLACEMENT WAS JUST UNDER $ 400 AND IT WAS WOBBLY, BUT COULDN'T BE ADJUSTED ANY BETTER. NEW CABLES WERE PUT IN, THE 2ND TIME, THE THIRD TIME, A USED CABLE WORKED BETTER THAN A NEW ONE. ALSO WE HAD OUR MECH. INSTALL A USED SPEEDOMETER, AS THE COST WAS PROHIBITIVE, AND THE DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO FULLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM ANYWAY. HOW CAN A CAR EAT SPEEDOMETERS ANYWAY? THE TICKING SOUND WAS SO IRRITATING, AND THE NEEDLE WAVERD SO MUCH YOU COULDN'T TELL YOUR SPEED. THAT IS UNSAFE, AND UNREASONABLE.
A FEW DAYS AGO I DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE APPEARED TO BE LOW ON AIR. I HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED ON 8/25/2000 WITH GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE P205/65R15 AT WAL-MART IN BAYTOWN, TEXAS. THE TIRES WERE DUE FOR ROTATION AND BALANCE, SO I HAD WAL-MART IN BAYTOWN, TEXAS PERFORM THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND CHECK THE FRONT RIGHT…
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A FEW DAYS AGO I DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE APPEARED TO BE LOW ON AIR. I HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED ON 8/25/2000 WITH GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE P205/65R15 AT WAL-MART IN BAYTOWN, TEXAS. THE TIRES WERE DUE FOR ROTATION AND BALANCE, SO I HAD WAL-MART IN BAYTOWN, TEXAS PERFORM THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND CHECK THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FOR A LEAK. AFTER THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FROM THE RIM HE DISCOVERED A CRACK ON THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE TIRE. THE CRACK RAN PERPENDICULAR TO THE DIRECTION OF TREAD. THE CRACK RAN ACROSS THE TREAD AREA AND UP INTO BOTH SIDEWALLS. THE CRACK WAS NOT VISIBLE ON THE OUTSIDE SURFACE OF THE TIRE. I LOOKED AT THE TIRE AND THERE APPEARED TO BE A SLIGHT MOLD INDENTATION IN THE CRACK AREA. I CONTACTED GOODYEAR'S CONSUMER INFORMATION SERVICE AND PROVIDED THEM WITH THE SAME INFORMATION. THEY ACCEPTED THE INFORMATION BUT ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A WAL-MART PROBLEM. WAL-MART REPLACED THE TIRE IN QUESTION AT NO EXPENSE. I VISITED WAL-MART YESTERDAY 12/23/2000, AND SPOKE TO THE STORE MANAGER AND MECHANIC. THEY AGREED TO CHECK THE REMAINING THREE TIRES FOR PROBLEMS NEXT WEEK. THE MECHANIC WAS GOING TO TRY TO LOCATE THE TIRE THAT WAS REMOVED AND STORE IT FOR EXAMINATION. THE INTERIOR TIRE DAMAGE WAS VERY UNUSUAL. I'M NOT ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY TIRES, BUT ALSO THE SAFETY OF OTHER PEOPLES TIRES. IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO TRY TO GET HOLD OF THIS TIRE FOR EXAMINATION. PLEASE CONTACT ME, IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. *AK (TIRESIZE: P205/65R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/65R15 )
TWO MOTOR OR ENGINE MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. DEALER CONFIRMED THIS WHEN VEH. IN THEIR SHOP. RECALLS WERE MADE ON FORDS MOTOR MOUNTS OR OTHER YEARS, AND SO ARE THESE MOTOR / ENGINE MOUNTS DIFFERENT THAT THE RECALLED PARTS?*AK
FORD WILL NOT FIX THE 93 TAURUS. ONLY 94 AND UP TAURUS EVEN THOUGHT THE DEFECT IS THE SAME.
I TALKED TO FORD OF CANADA OVER 2 YEARS AGO ABOUT THE OIL PAN RUSTING BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HEARD OF AN OIL PAN RUSTING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW THE OIL PAN HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IT IS COSTING ME ABOUT $ 500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TWO YEARS AGO IS WHEN MY 3.8L HEAD GASKET STO…
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I TALKED TO FORD OF CANADA OVER 2 YEARS AGO ABOUT THE OIL PAN RUSTING BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HEARD OF AN OIL PAN RUSTING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW THE OIL PAN HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IT IS COSTING ME ABOUT $ 500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TWO YEARS AGO IS WHEN MY 3.8L HEAD GASKET STORY BEGAN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT HELP ME AT THE TIME WHEN I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEN IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR I FOUND OUT THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS EXTENDED BENFITS TO 1994 AND NEWER FORD TAURUS OWNERS. WHILE I AM HAPPY THAT THOSE OWNERS ARE GETTING HELP THAT STILL LEAVES ME OUT IN THE COLD. I TALKED TO FORD IN JUNE ABOUT THE EXTENDED BENFITS AND WAS TOLD TO FAX IN MY RECEIPTS FOR THE HEAD GASKET REPAIRS FOR THEM TO JUDGE IF I WOULD GET REIMBURSED. I DID NOT GET REIMBURSED AND FROM WHAT I CAN FIND OUT NO 1993 OWNERS OF FORD TAURUS 3.8L DID GET ANY HELP FROM FORD. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS FORD HAS HAD ABOUT OIL PANS RUSTING AND LEAKING BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THEY DROPPED THE PRICE ON REPLACEMENT OIL PANS BACAUSE OF THE VOLUME OF SALES.*AK
WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED OR MOVED FROM DRIVE OR REVERSE IT MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE ALSO, STEERING ALIGNMENT GOES OUT ALOT. NO OTHER SIGNS OF PROBLEM. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED. *AK
CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. WILL RESTART IN 10 MIN. FUEL PUMP REPLACED X2, PUMP RELAY X1. DEALER NO HELP. *AK
Official recalls
698V323000 · 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.
98V094000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
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.
98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
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.
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.
93V023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
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