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 reports

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2000

Electrical System

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS OF RECALL 8509. CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING HAS MELTED INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE FILL IN MORE INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #868970

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #728949

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE OVERHEATED,CAUSING IT TO STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #868377

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2000

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THIS FAILED AT ONCE BUT IT DID. I JUST STARTED MY CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE AND ALL THIS HAPPENED YET A FEW HOURS EARLIER IT WAS FINE.I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN AT NAPA AUTO STORE ABOUT THIS AND HE COMMENTED THAT HE GETS AT LEAST ONE PERSON A WEEK GETTING HEAD GASGETS FOR THIS ENGINE SIZE (3.8). I FOUND THIS RA…

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NHTSA ODI #728793

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000

Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THROTTLE LOCKED OPEN I JUMPED A CURB WITH MY FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE AND CUTTING OFF IGNITION I GOT STOPPED ABOUT 3 FEET FROM A BUILDING

NHTSA ODI #728614

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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WE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR SAFETY ISSUES, ALL OF WHICH WE HAD CHECKED AT LAIRD NOLLER. THE CAR EXPERIENCED SEVERAL OTHER REPAIRS (AIRCONDITIONER) EARLY IN ITS MILEAGE. AT 78,000 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY, LEAVING OUR DAUGHTER (AGE 20) STRANDED 110 MILES FROM HOME ON I-70. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT GREEN FORD IN ABILENE, KS. COSTING US ABOUT $1900.TEN MONTHS LATER THE HEAD GASKET BLEW, LEAVING MY HUSBAND STRANDED ON I-70. WE HAD THAT REPLACED FOR $900.

NHTSA ODI #728459

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I WAS GOING 70 MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR STARTED BUCKING AND SMELLED TERRIBLE. PULLED OF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND BY THAT TIME THE CAR WAS IDLEING VERY ROUGH. TRIED TO MAKE IT HOME AND THEN NOTICED THE TEMP GAUGE SWUNG ALL THE WAY OVER TO H. THEN I NOTICED IN MY MIRROR THAT WHITE STEAM WAS POURING OUT FROM THE CAR. PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT DOWN QUICK. IT WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER FOR THE TOW TRUCK MAN, WHICH I SPENT 1 1/2 HOURS WAITING FOR. I THINK FORD SHOULD EXTEND IT'S WARRANTY DOWN ANOTHER YEAR SINCE THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM. MAYBE WITH ENOUGH OF IT BEING REPORTED, THEY WILL.

NHTSA ODI #728418

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS TOLD BY STATE FARM INSURANCE THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON FORD VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FAILING.

NHTSA ODI #728284

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2000

Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

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I RECENTLY HAD NEW ROTORS AND PADS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY 93 FORD TAURUS. SINCE THE REPAIR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE INTERMITTENTLY STICKS OR FAILS TO RELEASE. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND A NEW BRAND OF ROTOR AND PADS WERE INSTALLED. A WEEK LATER THE BRAKE STUCK AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE PADS, ROTOR, CALIPER AND LOAD SENSOR SWITCH ("EVERTHING MECHANICAL THAT COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM"). THE FOURTH TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURED, THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE FIFTH TIME, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE SIXTH TIME IT HAPPENED (RIM SO HOT THE PLASTIC HUB CAP MELTED, BUT AT LEAST NO FIRE!) THE DEALER SAID EVERYTHING IN THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACING (3 COMPONENTS THAT COST $1600), AS WELL AS THE PADS, ROTOR, CALIPER, WHEEL BEARINGS FOR A TOTAL REPAIR COST OF $2000-3000. I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM BEFORE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE, AND IT HAS 80,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #728207

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD KNOW OF PERVASIVE FAILURES IN THEIR 3.8L ENGINES FROM LATE 80S TO MID 90S HOWEVER THEY HAVE FAILED TO RECALL VEHICLES OR MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS EXCEPT FOR 94/95 TAURUS AND WINDSTAR. THIS IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM (HEAD GASKET FAILURE) THAT ISN'T MODEL/YE

NHTSA ODI #728091

Official recalls

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.

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

RQ99017 · 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