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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

Suspension complaints

44 reports
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65,000 miles · Jun 1, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. SINCE APPROXIMATELY THE MIDDLE OF 2003, THE COIL SPRING HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION EVER SINCE THAT TIME. HE LOCATED RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. SINCE APPROXIMATELY THE MIDDLE OF 2003, THE COIL SPRING HAS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION EVER SINCE THAT TIME. HE LOCATED RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 6/15/09 *CN THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE STRUT COIL. UPDATED 06/16/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10272582

60 miles · Jun 1, 2009
Suspension

BROKEN DRIVERS COIL SPRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272578

103,000 miles · Mar 17, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUBFRAME ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME DROPPED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $1,000. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUBFRAME ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME DROPPED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $1,000. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) WAS REFERENCED. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILED TWO MONTHS AGO, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE REPAIR COST WAS $400. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V019000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STRUTS ON HIS VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 943036000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: SHOCK ABSORBER) WAS REFERENCED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $300. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT, AND THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1,500. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10221438

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2005
Suspension

DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE VIBRATED. SHE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND RUBBED ON THE TIRES. THE COIL SPRINGS AND TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS AND STRUT PLATES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 01/11/0…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE VIBRATED. SHE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND RUBBED ON THE TIRES. THE COIL SPRINGS AND TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS AND STRUT PLATES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145468

111,000 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Suspension

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 1994 FORD TAURUS GL. THE FRONT END OF CAR WAS GOING TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE TOLD HER HE COULD NOT ALIGN THE FRONT END BECAUSE ONE OF THE BOLTS WAS MISSING. THE BOLT HAS TO DO WITH KEEPING THE CAR …

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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 1994 FORD TAURUS GL. THE FRONT END OF CAR WAS GOING TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE TOLD HER HE COULD NOT ALIGN THE FRONT END BECAUSE ONE OF THE BOLTS WAS MISSING. THE BOLT HAS TO DO WITH KEEPING THE CAR STRAIGHT. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE TWO OF THE BOLTS. RECALL 98V323000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS ITEM. SHE CALLED FORD, AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10138916

146,000 miles · Sep 16, 2004
Suspension

OWNER SAYS THAT THE STRUT BLEW OUT DUE TO THE KNUCKLE BEING BENT AND THE BOLT WILL NOT GO BACK IN IT. THE KNUCKLE IS CAST IRON AND THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TO ASSIST THE OWNER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092489

71,000 miles · Sep 2, 2004
SuspensionTires

FORD TAURUS GL 1994. V6-182 3.0L. FRONT SPRING BREAKAGE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING MALFUNCTION AND FAILURE. TIRE PUNCTURED AS A RESULT. PRIOR TO BREAKAGE, THERE WERE 3 WEEKS WHEN NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WHEN STEERING, TURNING, OR HITTING A BUMP. STRUT ALSO BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CAR AND STRUT WAS DESTROYE…

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FORD TAURUS GL 1994. V6-182 3.0L. FRONT SPRING BREAKAGE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING MALFUNCTION AND FAILURE. TIRE PUNCTURED AS A RESULT. PRIOR TO BREAKAGE, THERE WERE 3 WEEKS WHEN NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WHEN STEERING, TURNING, OR HITTING A BUMP. STRUT ALSO BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CAR AND STRUT WAS DESTROYED, POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTING TO TIRE PUNCTURE. SHOCK ABSORPTION MALFUNCTION. PERHAPS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEMS ARE STRUCTURAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING UNDER CARRIAGE AND DUST BACKING PLATES ALMOST TOTALLY DESTROYED FROM SALT WATER CORROSION. AN ACCIDENT OCCURED WHILE DRIVING, AND ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WERE THEN DIAGNOSED AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR GARAGE. REPAIRS FOR THE STRUT, COIL, RE-ALIGNMENT AFTER ACCIDENT, TIRE, AND SHOCK ABSORPTION SYSTEM FOR THE FRONT OF THE CAR ALONE WERE $708, NOT INCLUDING ANY REPAIRS FOR THE DESTROYED, CORRODED UNDERCARRIAGE AND DUST BACKING PLATES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088978

92,680 miles · Jul 17, 2004
Suspension

SUSPENSION: COIL SPRING FAILURE - COMPLETE BREAK IN DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING. LUCKILY, THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION AND THE SPRING DID NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10081249

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2003
Suspension

FRONT SPRING FAILED, I.E. IT BROKE. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TIRE PUNCTURE AND AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAVE A 1994 MERCURY SABLE AND AM AFRAID THE SAME THING MIGHT HAPPEN. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047622

83,000 miles · Jul 2, 2003
Suspension

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY JERK REAL HARD. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10026507

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.