SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE FLUCTUATES BACK AND FORTH. ALSO, THE NEEDLE DOES NOT MOVE UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THS PROBLEM # 97-12-5 . REPAIRS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND CONSUMER …
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SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE FLUCTUATES BACK AND FORTH. ALSO, THE NEEDLE DOES NOT MOVE UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THS PROBLEM # 97-12-5 . REPAIRS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND CONSUMER WANTS FORD TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #856492
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING TEMPERATURE WENT UP AND VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING DUE TO A LEAKING ENGINE HEAD GASKET. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY WATER PUMP AND DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #856363
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2000
Power Train
EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE JUMPING WHENEVER VEHICLE REACHES 50 OR MORE MPH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855498
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550506
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY; REPLACED WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND IT FAILED 2 DAYS LATER. DEALER NOT CERTAIN WHAT TO DO; CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THEM; CAR IS COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE FAILURE TO ACCELERATE IS FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN SCREECHING AND LURCHING FORWARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717428
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2000
Power Train
AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP, TRANSMISSION WILL "DISENGAGE". WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THEN WILL ENGAGE WITH A JOLT. SOMETIMES, VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY FOR UP TO 10 SECONDS. THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFF…
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AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP, TRANSMISSION WILL "DISENGAGE". WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THEN WILL ENGAGE WITH A JOLT. SOMETIMES, VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY FOR UP TO 10 SECONDS. THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM A FULL STOP, OR WHEN CROSSING A ROAD FROM A FULL STOP, AS ONE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WILL PROCEED IN A NORMAL FASHION OR IF THE TRANSMISSION WILL PREVENT THE CAR FROM CLEARING THE ROADWAY BEFORE ONCOMING TRAFFIC REACHES YOU. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM ACCORDING TO YOUR OTHER REPORTS ON THIS YEAR/MODEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717396
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE AT A STOPLIGHT. KICKS INTO GEAR WHEN ACCLERATOR IS FLOORED. OVERDRIVE NO LONGER WORKS. CAR WILL ONLY RUN IN REGULAR DRIVE. ALSO ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN LEAKING ONTO SPARK PLUGS. PROBABLY OCCURRED PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR USED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. MINIMAL MILEA…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE AT A STOPLIGHT. KICKS INTO GEAR WHEN ACCLERATOR IS FLOORED. OVERDRIVE NO LONGER WORKS. CAR WILL ONLY RUN IN REGULAR DRIVE. ALSO ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN LEAKING ONTO SPARK PLUGS. PROBABLY OCCURRED PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR USED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. MINIMAL MILEAGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717341
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 1999
Power Train
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS GIVEN US PROBLEMS, THE FIRST TIME WAS SEPT 1998 AND THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON WAS CRACKED AND REPLACED AT THAT TIME APPROX 23000 MILES AGO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716164
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND REPLACED ON 5/98, REPLACEMENT FAILED. MJS
NHTSA ODI #549870
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 09/09/1999 WHEN PROBLEM DETECTED IN STARTING THE CAR. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, ENGINE WILL CRANK AND START BUT IT STALLED WHEN KEY SPRING WAS LET GO AT RANDOM BASIS. DEALER CLAIMED TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED MULTIFUCTION SW AND IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPLACED BATTERY AND CLEANED THE…
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CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 09/09/1999 WHEN PROBLEM DETECTED IN STARTING THE CAR. UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, ENGINE WILL CRANK AND START BUT IT STALLED WHEN KEY SPRING WAS LET GO AT RANDOM BASIS. DEALER CLAIMED TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED MULTIFUCTION SW AND IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPLACED BATTERY AND CLEANED THE TERMINALS. THIS COST ME $474 AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON 09/13/1999. ON 09/20/1999 DEALER CLAIMED THAT THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS JUST THE ADJUSTMENT IN SAFETY SWITCH. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. AFTER THAT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY AND CONTINUE TO HAPPEN ON RANDOM BASIS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WILL CALL ME BACK WHEN THEY ARE READY TO FIX THIS. AS OF 11/22/1999 I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM FULLERTON FORD DEALER. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE NOW AND I CAN NOT EVEN START THE CAR. SO I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AT 1-800-392-3673 AND SPOKE WITH DUANE. I TOLD HIM THAT DEALERSHIP HAS UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DESCRIBED THE CAR PROBLEM. I ASKED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HELP DEALER TO IDENTIFY AND FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE DEALER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN FIXING THE PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. DUANE REPLIED THAT ONLY DEALER IS AUTHORIZED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I SHOULD TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THERE IS NOTHING FORD MOTOR COMAPNY CAN DO FOR ME. I ASKED DUANE THAT WHAT IS THE POINT IN TAKING CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WHEN AFTER TWO UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS THEY HAVE NOT FIXED. DUANE REPEATED THE EARLIER STATEMENT OF TAKING CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING FORD MOTOR CO. CAN DO. AS FAR AS THE COOLING SYSTEM GOES, I ASKED THE FULLERTON FORD DEALER TO CHECK THE LEAKING COOLANT ON 05/17/1999. THEY CONDUCTED PRESSURE TEST AND REPLACED COOLANT AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO LEAK. HOWEVER AS OF 11/26/99 IT STILL LEAKS UPON STARTING THE CAR NEAR RADIATOR.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1994 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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