IllustrationVEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
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
What owners actually said
923 reportsINTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE CUSTOMER BELIEVES THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY IGNITION SYSTEM MODULE. *YH
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STALLING, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE MULTI FUNCTION RELAY SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GENERAL TIRE (P205/65R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE INTO A SIDE DITCH AND THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER INDICATES FIRE, HOWEVER NO RE…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STALLING, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE MULTI FUNCTION RELAY SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GENERAL TIRE (P205/65R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE INTO A SIDE DITCH AND THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER INDICATES FIRE, HOWEVER NO REFERENCE IN THE COMMENTS. *SLC
PLEASE ASK FORD MOTOR CO. TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR MOUNTED IGNITION MODULE. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 1994 TAURUS FROM MY MOTHER THREE YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD 14,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH OUR TAURUS STALLING WHILE WE WERE DRIVING FOR NO APPAREN…
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PLEASE ASK FORD MOTOR CO. TO RECALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR MOUNTED IGNITION MODULE. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 1994 TAURUS FROM MY MOTHER THREE YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD 14,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH OUR TAURUS STALLING WHILE WE WERE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE TOOK OUR CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEM. NOTHING THAT WE HAD DONE EVER SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, THIS PAST SUMMER IN THE HOT TEXAS HEAT THE PROBLEM BECAME TOO MUCH TO BEAR. WE TOOK OUR TAURUS TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP--BRINSON FORD IN CORSICANA, TEXAS. WE THOUGHT THAT SURELY THE DEALORSHIP MECHANICS WOULD BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OUR PROBLEM. THE DEALORSHIP TOLD US THAT THEY FELT OUR FUEL PUMP WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THEY TOLD US THAT OUR PUMP WOULD PROBABLY NOT LAST MUCH LONGER. I QUESTIONED THEIR DIAGNOSIS SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR 80,000 MILES. WE PAID $556 AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM LESSENS AS THE TEMPERATURES DROP. I AM CONVINCED THAT CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT JUDGE MICHAEL BALLACHEY HAS HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. THIS IS A SITUATION INVOLVING "CONCEALMENT OF DANGEROUS CONDITIONS."
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE ENGINE LOST ALL COOLANT. WE WERE ABLE TO SHUT ENGINE DOWN WITHOUT OVERHEATING THE ENGINE. CHECKED ENGINE OIL FOR POSSIBLE COOLANT CONTAMINATION.. FOUND NO SIGN OF OIL/COOLANT MIX. DEALER SAYS THAT ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS TO BE AROUND $1200.00 TO $1600.00 IF THEY FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG. THERE HAS TO B…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE ENGINE LOST ALL COOLANT. WE WERE ABLE TO SHUT ENGINE DOWN WITHOUT OVERHEATING THE ENGINE. CHECKED ENGINE OIL FOR POSSIBLE COOLANT CONTAMINATION.. FOUND NO SIGN OF OIL/COOLANT MIX. DEALER SAYS THAT ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS TO BE AROUND $1200.00 TO $1600.00 IF THEY FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE 3.8 HEAD GASKET DESIGN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES AND HAVE SERVICED IT PERFECTLY. I HAVE CHANGED OIL EVERY 3000 MILES, FLUSHED COOLANT EVERY 30,000 MILES, ETC. ETC. THIS CAR HAS 91,000 MILES ON IT . IT HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD OR USED FOR TOWING. I AM A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A COMPANY THAT USES FORD TRUCKS AND VANS FOR SERVICE WORK. WE HAVE THE 351 CI AND 460 CI PUSH ROD ENGINES AS WELL AS THE 5.4L AND 6.8L OVERHEAD CAM TRITON ENGINES AND HAVE WELL OVER 140,000 MILES ON MANY OF THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. WHAT'S THE DEAL??
I HAD SENT A COMPLAINT TODAY 10-10-00 JUST AFTER I GOT OF LINE I RECIEVED A PHONE CALL FROM BRUCE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFORD STATING THAT FORD WAS NOW GOING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS 100%
MY TAURUS HAD A HEAD GASKET FAIL AND NOW I'M TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT'S 594 MILES OVER THE 100,000 LIMIT I'LL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WAS PREVIOUSLY DEALER MAINTANED AT ANOTHER DEALER SHIP ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HERE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER.THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFO…
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MY TAURUS HAD A HEAD GASKET FAIL AND NOW I'M TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT'S 594 MILES OVER THE 100,000 LIMIT I'LL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WAS PREVIOUSLY DEALER MAINTANED AT ANOTHER DEALER SHIP ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HERE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER.THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFORD HAS BEEN HELPFUL BUT SAYS HIS HANDS ARE TIED AND THAT IT WAS FORD'S DECISION TO MAKE NOT HIS HE HAD CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD REP. BUT WAS SO FAR ONLY ABLE TO GET ME A 30% DISCOUNT . I'VE FELT ALL ALONG THAT FORD SHOULD REPAIR THIS AT NO COST TO ME BECAUSE THIS IS OBVIOUSLLY A PROBLEM EXCLUSIVELY TO THE 3.8 FORD ENGINE OR EVER CAR ON THE ROADS HEAD GASKETS WOULD BE FAILING . WHEN I SPOKE TO THE FORD REP AT THE 800 # (1-800-392-3673) ELAINE SHE WASN'T HELPFUL AT ALL AND SEEMED MAD AT ME FOR TRYING TO GET SOME HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM , LIKE IT WAS MY FAULT .I'VE TOLD THE MANAGER BRUCE THAT AT THIS POINT I'LD BE WILLING TO PAY 20% OF THE COST TO REPAIR JUST SO WE CAN GET OUR CAR BACK WE'RE PAYING A LOAN ON THIS CAR AND CAN'T EVEN USE IT . I'VE HAD MANY FORDS IN THE PAST AND HAVE NEVER NEEDED DEALER ASSISTANTS LIKE THIS BEFORE AND FEEL THAT 594 MILES OVER THE 100,000 MILE LIMIT SHOULN'T JUSTIFIE FORD'S REFUSAL TO STAND BEHIND THIER PRODUCT AND NOT FIX OUR CAR.ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE US WOULD BE APPRECIATED , THANK YOU , SINCERELY JOHN & SHARON DOLMAN
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT 22 MPH BECAUSE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE APPLYING. ASLO, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHY ONLY THAT LEFT ON BRAKES AFTER ONLY 38950 MILES? THIS NOT NORMAL
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, ONE ORIGINAL AND TWO REPLACEMENTS PARTS EACH YEAR, GARAGE HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDS REPLACEMENT BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES.*ET
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.