← New search

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 →

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 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN TWICE, NOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING AND THERE IS A TINY KNOCK IN THE ENGINE, MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT AND ROD BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO GLYCOL IN THE ANTIFREEZE THAT HAD LEAKED INTO THE CRANKCASE, THIS HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS FAULTY HEAD GASKETS, CONSUMER FEELS F…

Read full complaint

HEAD GASKETS HAVE BLOWN TWICE, NOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING AND THERE IS A TINY KNOCK IN THE ENGINE, MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT AND ROD BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO GLYCOL IN THE ANTIFREEZE THAT HAD LEAKED INTO THE CRANKCASE, THIS HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS FAULTY HEAD GASKETS, CONSUMER FEELS FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #878560

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

FRONT ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE WHICH MAY CAUSE ENGINE TO DROP, AND RESULT IN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877846

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

NO HEAT; TEMP GUAGE PROBLEMS. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL. CAR BOUGHT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL NOT A DEALER. SO MAYBE THAT IS WHY WE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL. APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )

NHTSA ODI #739103

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY TEMPERATURE GUAGE HAD JUMPED ALL THE WAY TO HOT. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE MILE AND A HALF TO MY HOUSE. AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR WAS MAKING A SLIGHT KNOCKING SOUND. MY HUSBAND FOUND THE RADIATOR EMPTY AND TRIED TO FILL IT AGAIN WITH ONE GALLON ANTI-FREEZE AND ONE GALLON WATER. …

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY TEMPERATURE GUAGE HAD JUMPED ALL THE WAY TO HOT. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE MILE AND A HALF TO MY HOUSE. AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR WAS MAKING A SLIGHT KNOCKING SOUND. MY HUSBAND FOUND THE RADIATOR EMPTY AND TRIED TO FILL IT AGAIN WITH ONE GALLON ANTI-FREEZE AND ONE GALLON WATER. HE STARTED THE ENGINE AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE CAME OUT FROM THE TAIL PIPE AND THE ENGINE AND THE EXHAUST PIPE AND WATER WAS DRIPPING UNDERNEATH THE EXHAUST. WE HAD A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE DIAGNOSED IT AS BEING A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.

NHTSA ODI #739072

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE FAILED RESULTING IN RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED AND WHEN ACCELERATING PAST 20 MPH, JUNE 2000 THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN HOT AND THE AIR CONDITIONERS EFFECTIVENESS STARTED TO DECLINE, UPON INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS FAILING, DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER EXTENDED…

Read full complaint

THE ENGINE FAILED RESULTING IN RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED AND WHEN ACCELERATING PAST 20 MPH, JUNE 2000 THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN HOT AND THE AIR CONDITIONERS EFFECTIVENESS STARTED TO DECLINE, UPON INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS FAILING, DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER EXTENDED WARRENTY 00M009 BECAUSE THE ODOMETER READ 101,800 WHEN THE ENGINE ITSELF ONLY HAD 28,617 MILE ON IT. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558686

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

I TOOK MY CAR TO WADE FORD AND COMPLAINED ABOUT IT OVER HEATING . THEY TESTED AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ODI #738590

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877181

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TIMING COVER GASKET LEAKING COOLANT. DEALER EVALUATED HEAD GASKET UNDER OWNER TRANSMISSION; FOUND COOLANT LEAK. FORD AND DEALER WON'T OTIFICATION. REPORTED OIL & TRANSMISSION LEAKS, SAID HEAD GASKET OK. ANOTTHER GARAGE FIXED OIL/REPAIR AS PART OF ENGINE COOLING PROBLEMS WITH 3.8L ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #738415

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE'S NO HEAT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876720

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD AT FIRST DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADGASKET ASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE. I CALLED THEM LATER AFTER I FOUND OUT THEY HAD A "SECRET" RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM WE HAD. THEY SAID THERE MIGHT BE A PROGRAM FOR THAT PART, BUT ONLY IF IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP. WE USED A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THUS THEY DENIED COVERAG…

Read full complaint

FORD AT FIRST DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADGASKET ASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE. I CALLED THEM LATER AFTER I FOUND OUT THEY HAD A "SECRET" RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM WE HAD. THEY SAID THERE MIGHT BE A PROGRAM FOR THAT PART, BUT ONLY IF IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP. WE USED A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THUS THEY DENIED COVERAGE TO US. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737664

Official recalls

4

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.

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

4

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

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.