IllustrationCOMING TO STOP OR HITTING BRAKES HARD TO DOWNSHIFT, VEHICLE WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. MANUFACUTER HAS SENT OUT TSB FOR REVISED FOWARD CLUTCH PISTON #9837. *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 reportsWHEN THE TRANSMISSON WENT OUT, I HAD JUST STARTED UP THE ENGINE, BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, DROVE FORWARD TO THE END OF THE BLOCK, STOPPED, MADE A LEFT TURN, AND AT THAT POINT MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I COULD DRIVE IN REVERSE, BUT NO FORWARD DRIVE WAS THERE. I WAS TOLD BY CERTIFIED TRASMISSIONS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON …
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WHEN THE TRANSMISSON WENT OUT, I HAD JUST STARTED UP THE ENGINE, BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, DROVE FORWARD TO THE END OF THE BLOCK, STOPPED, MADE A LEFT TURN, AND AT THAT POINT MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I COULD DRIVE IN REVERSE, BUT NO FORWARD DRIVE WAS THERE. I WAS TOLD BY CERTIFIED TRASMISSIONS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON FORD TAURUS/SABLE TRANSMISSIONS, BUT MY DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING. WOULD YOU PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS PLEASE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH! NORVELL FRAZIER
DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. *AK
ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PROBLEMS. ON ONE OCCASION AT THE INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PADS AND MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TO PREVENT FAILURE. *YC
VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE EITHER TO CLIMB UP A HILL / IN ON COMING TRAFFIC. *YC
WIRING WORN THRU AT STEERING COLUMN. FORD DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS ABNORMAL.,ONLY QUICK THINKING PREVENTED A MAJOR FIRE WITH POSSIBLE INJURIES.. MINOR FIRE OCCURRED.*AK
ENGINE FAILURE - DRIVING ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED - AFTER SEVERAL DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO FIND PROBLEM, PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE TEETH ON THE GEAR ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DISTRIBUTOR HAD BROKEN OFF. THIS TYPE OF STRESS FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE FORD COMPANY HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT CONSI…
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ENGINE FAILURE - DRIVING ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED - AFTER SEVERAL DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO FIND PROBLEM, PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE TEETH ON THE GEAR ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DISTRIBUTOR HAD BROKEN OFF. THIS TYPE OF STRESS FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE FORD COMPANY HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM BEING OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. THE OTHER PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WAS THAT THE SPEEDODOMETER HAD BEGUN TO FAIL.... GOING FROM ZERO TO 60 AND BACK AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING. A SPEED SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE CAR WAS ALSO DOING A HARD JERKING AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR. FORD DEALERSHIP HAD TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT 2 OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE BAD AND WE HAD THEM REPLACED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HAD FOUND OUT FORD HAD MANY (I MEAN MANY) PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN ALL THE FORD TAURUS VEHICLES. STILL THE DEALERSHIP FORD COMPANY WOULD DO NOTHING INCLUDING FILING THIS COMPLAINT STATING IT WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE BACKED SOME IT NOT ALL OF THIS UP CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE AND PROBLEM HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE. DISTRIBUTER GEARS SHOULD HAVE NEVER BROKEN OFF UNLESS THE METAL COMPOUND HAD BEEN DEFECTIVE. *AK
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH ON SMOOTH SURFACE, NOT ENOUGH PRESSURE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *AK
CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE ON THE HEAD GASKET, HEAD GASKET FAILED RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO ENGINE, DENIED REPAIR PER RECALL DUE TO EXPIRATION DATE (98M01). MJS
WHILE DRIVING HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. IT THEN STARTED TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE AIR BAG UNIT. *AK
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.