IllustrationPREMATURE WEAR OF ENGINE MOUNTS. ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED AT 44,000 MILES. DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THEM. *AK AT 44747 MILES ON FEB 16 1998, WINDWARD FORD SERVICE WRITER INFORMED THE ORIGINAL OWNER THAT ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLED ON NEW VEHICLE WAS REDESIGNED AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY AT THE FACTORY. *JG
1994 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 67 of 923 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 289 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 269 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
51 crash reports23 fire reports30 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsCOOLING FAN WAS MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE COMING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED WORK. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION PLANETARY FAILED THE TRANSMISSION BOX HAD TO BE REBUILT, ALSO THE CHEC…
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WHILE COMING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED WORK. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION PLANETARY FAILED THE TRANSMISSION BOX HAD TO BE REBUILT, ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*JB
ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE, VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55-65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A REPAIR SHOP AND A DEALER. NEITHER COULD DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES. OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *SLC
HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY, ONCE ON A RECALL, BUT GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER SPRING SNAPPED. CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN DRIVE, ENGINE REMAINED ON. HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE OF NO STEERING CAPABILITY. WHEN TENSIONER SNAPPED IT RELEASED POWER FROM POWER STEERING, ALTENATOR, WATER PUMP, A/C CONDENSER, DRIVE TRAIN. CAR WOULD HA…
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SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER SPRING SNAPPED. CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN DRIVE, ENGINE REMAINED ON. HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE OF NO STEERING CAPABILITY. WHEN TENSIONER SNAPPED IT RELEASED POWER FROM POWER STEERING, ALTENATOR, WATER PUMP, A/C CONDENSER, DRIVE TRAIN. CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE AT HIGHER SPEED.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET; THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE SEEN REPEAT FAILURES; FORD HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND NOW THEIR REPLACEMNETS ARE FAILING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE (43,000 MILES EACH TIME); THE REPAIR WILL COST MO…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET; THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE SEEN REPEAT FAILURES; FORD HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND NOW THEIR REPLACEMNETS ARE FAILING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE (43,000 MILES EACH TIME); THE REPAIR WILL COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH
GASKETS BEING USED TO REPAIR THE FAILED GASKETS ON THE 3.8L ENGINEER ARE ALSO FAILING.
I'VE SUBMITTED TWO PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE FROM TWO ENTIRELY SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE HAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED LAST YEAR BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEB SITE FOR REPORTING PROBLEMS. OUR MECHANIC HAS TOLD US THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENT WITH ALL FORD 3.8 ENGINES AND FOR ALL YEARS OF MFG. FORD WAS CONTACT WITH…
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I'VE SUBMITTED TWO PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE FROM TWO ENTIRELY SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE HAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED LAST YEAR BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEB SITE FOR REPORTING PROBLEMS. OUR MECHANIC HAS TOLD US THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENT WITH ALL FORD 3.8 ENGINES AND FOR ALL YEARS OF MFG. FORD WAS CONTACT WITH HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 2000 MILES PAST WARRANTY, AND THEY ARE COVERING IT PAST THAT MILEAGE IN CANADA. *AK
ENGINE WOULD NOT START, WHAN LAST RUNNING NOTICE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST EXCESSIVELY THICK, VERIFED CONCERN EEC TEST-FUEL PLUGS FOULED VEHICLE REQUIRED PLUGS AND DIST CAP/ROTOR TO CONTINUE DIAG-REPLACED PLUGS/CAP/ROTOR-PINPOINT CUSTOMER CONCERN TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET, REMOVED HEADS, REPLACED GASKET, TEST HEADS FOR FLA…
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ENGINE WOULD NOT START, WHAN LAST RUNNING NOTICE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST EXCESSIVELY THICK, VERIFED CONCERN EEC TEST-FUEL PLUGS FOULED VEHICLE REQUIRED PLUGS AND DIST CAP/ROTOR TO CONTINUE DIAG-REPLACED PLUGS/CAP/ROTOR-PINPOINT CUSTOMER CONCERN TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET, REMOVED HEADS, REPLACED GASKET, TEST HEADS FOR FLATNESS, REPLACE HEADS. RETEST VEHICLE 02 SENSOR AND TP SENSOR DAMAGED BY HEAD GASKET FAILURE-RECIEVED. REPLACEMENT CUSTOM DECLINED FAULTY SENSOR WILL TRIGGER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
Official recalls
498V323000 · 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.
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.
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
4RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
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.