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 · Mar 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
JUNE 1997 I WAS TOLD BY A 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ..ONE FROM PENSKE AUTO IN MILFORD MA, THE OTHER FROM BERADI AUTOMOTIVE IN MILFORD ...AFTER BRINGING IN A CAR FOR A PROBLEM WHERE MY CAR WOULD RUN HOT AT IDLE...THAT MY HEAD GASKET WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PENSKE WENT SO FAR TO BELIEVE IT ALREADY HAPPENED AND …
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JUNE 1997 I WAS TOLD BY A 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS ..ONE FROM PENSKE AUTO IN MILFORD MA, THE OTHER FROM BERADI AUTOMOTIVE IN MILFORD ...AFTER BRINGING IN A CAR FOR A PROBLEM WHERE MY CAR WOULD RUN HOT AT IDLE...THAT MY HEAD GASKET WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PENSKE WENT SO FAR TO BELIEVE IT ALREADY HAPPENED AND MY BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THEY RECOMMENDED TAKING THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER FOR CHECK UP. ON 6/16/97, WITH ODOMETER SHOWING 53123 MILES, I TOOK THE CAR TO VALLEY FORD IN MILFORD. I TOLD THEM PENSKE THOUGHT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THIS WASN'T THE CASE. TO MY COMPLAINT THAT THE ENGINE RAN HOT AT IDLE, WITH A FLICKERING OIL LITE ONLY AT IDLE THEY CLAIMED THE GETTING HOTTER AT IDLE WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT MAKE AND THE LITE FLICKERING WAS DUE TO A "SENSITVE LITE". THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN HOT AT IDLE, SOMETIMES SMELLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO BERADI AUTOMOTIVE AND THEY REITERATED SOME DAY MY HEAD GASKET WOULD FAIL AND THEY HAVE "REPLACED A BUN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720735
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET-CREATED RELATED PROBLEMS W/ENGINE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM AND REPAIR, UNWILLING TO RECTIFY PROBLEM BECAUSE STATED DEFECT OCCURRED AFTER 100,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. MILEAGE AT INCIDENT EXCEEDED WARRANTY BY 2706 MILES. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT PROBLEM EXISTED BEFORE INCIDENT EVEN…
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DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET-CREATED RELATED PROBLEMS W/ENGINE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM AND REPAIR, UNWILLING TO RECTIFY PROBLEM BECAUSE STATED DEFECT OCCURRED AFTER 100,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. MILEAGE AT INCIDENT EXCEEDED WARRANTY BY 2706 MILES. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT PROBLEM EXISTED BEFORE INCIDENT EVEN THOUGH HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING. SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AND THIS ISSUE MADE A TOTAL RECALL FOR THESE YEAR VEHICLES ARE KNOWN TO HAVE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720473
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Power Train
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SPEEDOMETER OPERATING ERRATICALLY. REPLACEMENT HAVE BEEN MADE ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN 30,000 MILES. BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED PRESENTLY AT 68,000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED,AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858872
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMPORTED TO FINLAND PRIVATELY, BUT NOT ME. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE CHANGED IN LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP ON 12/1999. NOW I FOUND OUT FROM INTERNET THAT THIS FAILURE IS WELL KNOWN IN USA AND FORD COMPANY HAS AN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS FAILURE. WARRANTY LAST FOR 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. MY QUESTION: I…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IMPORTED TO FINLAND PRIVATELY, BUT NOT ME. THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE CHANGED IN LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP ON 12/1999. NOW I FOUND OUT FROM INTERNET THAT THIS FAILURE IS WELL KNOWN IN USA AND FORD COMPANY HAS AN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS FAILURE. WARRANTY LAST FOR 7 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. MY QUESTION: I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND OF THE REPAIR BILLS ? I CONSIDER THIS AS AN INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY MATTER, CAUSE I AM NOT LIVING IN USA. LOCAL FORD COMPANY HERE IN FINLAND REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY HELP, THEY CAN NOT DO NOTHING. " PROMPT REPLY WOULD BE APPRECIATED. " *AK
NHTSA ODI #720362
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Exterior LightingVisibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING WHENEVER THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH IS USED OR THE RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNAL IS APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858460
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER HAD ENGINE REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO DUE TO HEAD GASKETS OVER HEATING. CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECENT RECALL, AND IS NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. DEALER WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED AT THE PLANT WHERE THE RECALL PARTS ARE MANUFACTURED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858314
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY PUT IN A NEW ENGINE. ALSO, UPON GOING DOWN THE STREET IT FELT LIKE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN GEAR AND WAS COASTING. TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AND HE REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858254
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2000
Power TrainSteering
TRANSMISSION FAILURES (2ND NOW) INCLUDE INTERMITTENT NEUTRAL CONDITIONS AT 65 MPH. STEERING PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT MY DEALER HAS YET TO ,BUT IS REPRODUCIBLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719894
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719852
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2000
Power Train
CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACKED PISTON INSDE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP HAD TO OVERHAUL ENTIRE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE MECHANIC SAW MORE DAMAGE THEN IT WAS ANTICIPATED. *AK
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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