IllustrationMileage unknown · Nov 11, 2002
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Air
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA ODI #769583
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
28 reportsNO SUMMARY. DT
CONTACTED DEALER, FOUND ONLINE THE TFI MODULE FAILURES IN OTHER FORD MODELS RECALLED BUT THE OTHER MODELS OF FORDS SOLD WITH THE SAME MODULE IN THEM WERE NOT RECALLED, WHY? MR
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
IN A FOUR YEAR PERIOD WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE STARTER FIVE (5) TIMES, UPON REPAIR THIS LAST TIME WE WENT TO AN INDEPENENT MECHANIC WHICH WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE ALSO STATED ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN FOR SOMETIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON OCCASIONALLY THIS TO IS UN…
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IN A FOUR YEAR PERIOD WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE STARTER FIVE (5) TIMES, UPON REPAIR THIS LAST TIME WE WENT TO AN INDEPENENT MECHANIC WHICH WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE ALSO STATED ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN FOR SOMETIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON OCCASIONALLY THIS TO IS UNDETERMINED.*AK
RECEIVED A RECALLS NOTICE ABOUT HEAD GASKET IN SUMMER OF 1999 WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS TO OLD.
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, AND ALL COMPONENTS GO DEAD. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE NEXT TIME ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, DON'T TURN OFF THE KEY. THIS HAPPENED ON THE 13TH OF JULY. DEALER SAID PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE, CONSUMER HAS BEEN OUT OF A VEHICLE SINCE.*AK
ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ERRATIC OPERATION; REPLACED AT 43, 916 MILES ON 02/01/1997. REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER DEVELOPED SAME ERRATIC OPERATION AND WAS REPLACED AT 85,421 MILES ON 08/10/98. THE THIRD SPEEDOMETER DEVELOPED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AT 127,250 MILES IN EARLY NOV OF 1999. WITH ALL THE SPEEDOMETERS, THE PROBLEM ALWAYS…
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ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ERRATIC OPERATION; REPLACED AT 43, 916 MILES ON 02/01/1997. REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER DEVELOPED SAME ERRATIC OPERATION AND WAS REPLACED AT 85,421 MILES ON 08/10/98. THE THIRD SPEEDOMETER DEVELOPED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AT 127,250 MILES IN EARLY NOV OF 1999. WITH ALL THE SPEEDOMETERS, THE PROBLEM ALWAYS IS THAT THE NEEDLE BOUNCES WILDLY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 50 MPH AND THE UPPER LIMIT OF THE SPEEDOMETER RANGE AND MAKES A WHIRRING NOISE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL PRE-1996 TAURUS. REPLACING THEM OBVIOUSLY DOES NO GOOD; FROM MY EXPERIENCE THEY DON'T SEEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AFTER 40,000 MILES. I CONTACTED FORD MOTORS AT THEIR 800 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE NUMBER ON 11/22/1999 AND WAS TOLD BY "RAJ" THAT THEY WERE SORRY I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS, BUT THEY COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST ME. HOWEVER, IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED, THEY WOULD CONSIDER A RECALL. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAVEL UNDER OR AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WITH ANY CERTAINTY WHEN THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT PROVIDE YOU WITH RELIABLE EQUIPMENT TO DETERMINE WHAT YOUR RATE OF SPEED IS. THIS IS NOT A OWNER MAINTENANCE RELATED PROBLEM. REPLACING THE UNITS WITH A SIMILARLY FAILURE PRONE SPEEDOMETER FROM THE FORD PARTS BIN DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NO SUMMARY
ACTUAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURED OVER 2 YEARS PRIOR TO REPORTED DATE WAS ABLE TO GET BY, BUT THE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON WHEN THE ENGINE GETS TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND THE CAR IS IDLING. FORD PUT OUT CARS WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIMIT THE WARRANTY. IF IT FAILS, THEY SHOULD PAY TO REPAIR O…
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ACTUAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURED OVER 2 YEARS PRIOR TO REPORTED DATE WAS ABLE TO GET BY, BUT THE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON WHEN THE ENGINE GETS TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND THE CAR IS IDLING. FORD PUT OUT CARS WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIMIT THE WARRANTY. IF IT FAILS, THEY SHOULD PAY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PARTS- I UNDERSTAND THAT ABOUT 750,000 OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURED- FORD SHOULD PAY FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.
THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WERE MISALIGNED. NLM
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.