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
What owners actually said
923 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY FORD TAURUS SHO HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORMULA THAT USUALLY CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT START/STALL IS IF I DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE(.5-2 HOURS) AND THEN SHUT IT OFF FOR .5-1.5 HOURS. WHEN I GO TO RESTART IT, IT WILL EITHER NOT START OR WILL START AND RUN FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN DIE SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE HA…
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MY FORD TAURUS SHO HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORMULA THAT USUALLY CAUSES THE CAR TO NOT START/STALL IS IF I DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE(.5-2 HOURS) AND THEN SHUT IT OFF FOR .5-1.5 HOURS. WHEN I GO TO RESTART IT, IT WILL EITHER NOT START OR WILL START AND RUN FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN DIE SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN TO 4 SERVICE STATIONS (3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS) AND ALL HAVE SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I GOT IT BACK FROM THE LAST DEALER ON 11/9/00 AND THEY SAID MY PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FUEL AEROATION AND THAT IT WOULD GET BETTER WHEN THE WEATHER COOLED DOWN. THIS ANSWER WAS NOT ANYTHING I COULD USE BECAUSE NOW THE CAR IS EXTREMELY UNTRUSTWORTHY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736398
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Power Train
THE CONSUMER REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A FAULTY INPUT PISTON, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION DESIGN AND REPLACED THE ALUMINUM PISTON WHICH WAS TOO WEAK WITH A STEEL PISTON, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A RECALL BE ISSUED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE PISTON. *MJS
I HAD HEADGASKET FIXED AT 87500 MI. WHICH WAS IN 12/98. NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NO WAY TO GET IT FIXED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736167
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2000
Electrical System
IGNITION FAILURE IS STILL CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, THE MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES, NEW PLUGS AND WIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND THE INJECTORS HAVE BEEN CLEANED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #556994
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Structure
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 5 MPH A POPPING NOISE WAS COMING FROM BOTTOM OF VEHICLE A TECHNICIAN HAD FOUND OUT THAT FRAME WAS COMING APART AND HAD TO BE WELDED AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874154
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I INITIALLY HAD PROBLEMS W/ THE HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED AND IT TOOK TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER 2 MONTHS OF WAITING WITHOUT A VEHICLE THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, UPON GETTING THE CAR BACK I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PR…
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I INITIALLY HAD PROBLEMS W/ THE HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED AND IT TOOK TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER 2 MONTHS OF WAITING WITHOUT A VEHICLE THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, UPON GETTING THE CAR BACK I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE DYING WHILE IN FULL MOTION, IRREGARDLESS OF SPEED TRAVELING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 7 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR A PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND HAVE YET TO ONLY GET THE RUN AROUND. LAST NIGHT, ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK MY CAR STALLED ONCE AGAIN. I DO NOT WORK IN A PLEASANT AREA OF CHATTANOOGA AND AS I WAS WALKING TO FIND A PAY PHONE, I WAS ACCOSTED BY AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A GUN WHO WAS THREATENING TO ROB ME AND BEAT ME DOWN. I FLED FROM THE SITUATION PRAYING FOR MY LIFE AND SOMEHOW MADE IT AWAY SAFELY. I AM NOW HOWEVER AT THE BREAKING POINT WITH THIS FUEL PROBLEM WITH THIS TAURUS. I HAVE FOUND INFORMATION CONCERNING A RULING BY CALIFORNIA STATE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE MICHAEL BALLACHEY, ORDERING A RECALL ON CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. BALLACHEY STATES THAT FORD HAS SOLD AS MANY AS 23 MILLION VEHICLES WITH THIS FLAW. THE COURT ALSO RULED THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1982-THESE VEHICLES STALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT. THIS MEANS INTENSIFIED DANGER WITH MY PERSONAL VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS PRONE THE OVERHEAT FREQUENTLY, BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKETS ARE ALUMINUM (ANOTHER MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL). I CONTACTED FORD HEADQUARTERS (1-800-392-3673) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE JUDGE HAS NO AUTHORITY TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, MTN. VIEW FORD, THAT HAS MADE THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS UPON MY VEHICLE CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM EITHER. OWNER DAVID WATSON DIDN'T ADMIT KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. HELP PLEASE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #735466
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 10/13/00, I NOTICED A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST OF MY CAR. I MADE IT TO WORK ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1,468.00. I NOW FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE ON A REGULAR BASIS,A…
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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 10/13/00, I NOTICED A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST OF MY CAR. I MADE IT TO WORK ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1,468.00. I NOW FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE ON A REGULAR BASIS,ALSO THAT THERE WAS A NOTIFICATION TO THIS EFFECT ,WHICH WAS NEVER SENT TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET REIMBURSED FOR MY BILL DUE TO THIS MATTER.
NHTSA ODI #735399
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000
Electrical System
ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE PULLING INTO STREET. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #874034
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED, POSSIBLY DUE TO CRACKED PISTON THAT CONTROLS GEARS. *AK FWD CLUTCH PISTON INSIDE THE FWD CLUTCH DRUM HAD CRACKED. THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD WITH THESE KINDS OF VEHICLES. *YH
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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