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 · Jun 7, 2000
Power Train
WHEN COMMING UP TO A STOP SIGN/LIGHT THE CAR WILL SLIP OUT OF DRIVE AND NOT GO BACK IN FOR AWHILE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT SEVERAL TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE AVAILABLE FROM FORD STATING THAT THE ALUMNIUM PISTON INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WERE CRACKING AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY BE REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WITH A STEEL…
Read full complaint
WHEN COMMING UP TO A STOP SIGN/LIGHT THE CAR WILL SLIP OUT OF DRIVE AND NOT GO BACK IN FOR AWHILE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT SEVERAL TECHNICAL BULLETINS WERE AVAILABLE FROM FORD STATING THAT THE ALUMNIUM PISTON INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WERE CRACKING AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY BE REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WITH A STEEL PISTON. THIS REPLACEMENT IS COSTING ME $2,300.00. IF FORD KNOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WHY DO THEY CONTINUE TO MANUF. FORD TAURUS' WITH THESE DEFECTIVE PISTIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723695
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH ENGINE NOT RUNNING, FRONT RIGHT SIDE DROPPED ABOUT TWO INCHES BECAUSE SPRING BROKE. OWNER CONCERNED BECAUSE HE COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862982
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE HEAD GASKET PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION WHICH DAMAGED THE AIR CONDITIONING LINES,WATER PUMP AND OTHER COMPONENTS, WHEN THE GASKET BLEW. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR RECALL REPAIRS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #552435
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH, I NOTICED THE COOLANT TEMPERAURE HAD SHOT UP TO THE RED ZONE. AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED, IT IMMEDIATELY WENT BACK DOWN TO THE MIDRANGE OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND STAYED THERE FOR APPROX. 10 MILES. I CHECKED THE ANTI-FREEZE AT A GAS STATION AND IT SEEMED TO BE FULL. I PARKED THE CAR AND LET IT…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH, I NOTICED THE COOLANT TEMPERAURE HAD SHOT UP TO THE RED ZONE. AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED, IT IMMEDIATELY WENT BACK DOWN TO THE MIDRANGE OF THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND STAYED THERE FOR APPROX. 10 MILES. I CHECKED THE ANTI-FREEZE AT A GAS STATION AND IT SEEMED TO BE FULL. I PARKED THE CAR AND LET IT COOL FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS. I BEGAN MY DRIVE HOME AND THE TEMP. STAYED IN THE MIDRANGE OF THE GAUGE FOR ABOUT 20 MILES AND THEN SHOT UP TO THE RED ZONE. IT HOVERED THERE ABOUT 1 MINUTE AND THEN SHOT BACK DOWN TO THE MID RANGE. I PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING, I STARTED IT UP AND DROVE ABOUT 1/4 MILE AND WHITE SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE SMOKE SMELLED LIKE ANTI-FREEZE. I RETURNED HOME AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. PREVIOUSLY, FORD HAD SENT ME A LETTER DETAILING THE DEFECT AND OFFERING A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, I WAS ALREADY PAST 100,000 MILES WHEN THEY SENT THE LETTER. CAN THEY BE FORCED TO COVER SOME OR ALL OF THE COST OF REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET? THE CAR FAILED ONLY TWO MONTHS AFTER I MADE THE LAST PAYMENT TO FORD CREDIT CORPORATION. CAN YOU HELP ME?*AK
NHTSA ODI #723306
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TRANSMISSION PISTON CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. ALSO, ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE. MOTOR MOUNTS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS WELL. FORD DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #862606
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2000
Power Train
FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON HAD CRACKED. VEHICLE WAS ON A HILL AT A STOPLIGHT. LIGHT CHANGED & VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. IT WENT BACKWARDS BEFORE IT CAUGHT & THEN FORWARD. FORD HAD 2 TSBS ON CLUTCH PLATE, BUT DEALERSHIP FAILED TO REPAIR CLUTCH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862577
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TRANSMISSION PISTON CRACKED , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE GOES INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #862540
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE FILLED PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT WHEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862422
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2000
Power Train
TRANS AXLE FAILURE; FIRST COMMENCED AT 19,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME MODEL( # F4DZ7000BRM) UNDER WARRANTY WITHIN ONE WEEK OF REPAIR, TRANS AXLE SEAL FAILED. FOUR YEARS LATER WITHIN 68,000 MILES, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR / REPLACE TRANS AXLE BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. …
Read full complaint
TRANS AXLE FAILURE; FIRST COMMENCED AT 19,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME MODEL( # F4DZ7000BRM) UNDER WARRANTY WITHIN ONE WEEK OF REPAIR, TRANS AXLE SEAL FAILED. FOUR YEARS LATER WITHIN 68,000 MILES, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR / REPLACE TRANS AXLE BECAUSE WARRANTY EXPIRED. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE SAME FAULTY PARTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862398
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN APPLYING GAS FROM A STOP POSITION, CAR HESITATES, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATES INTO INTERSECTION. DEALER REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK *ML
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
Illustration