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 · May 8, 1999
Power Train
PER SEVERAL MECHANICS INCLUDING CHUCK CLANCY FORD'S, IT HAS A DEFECTIVE PART (FORWARD PISTON) WHICH SUPPOSEDLY WAS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM ORIGINALLY AND NOW HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ONE MADE OF STEEL. EACH TECHNICIAN I'VE SPOKEN WITH HAS SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND TO REPLACE THE 8 DOLLAR PART WOULD TAKE 2000 TO 2500 DOLLARS.…
Read full complaint
PER SEVERAL MECHANICS INCLUDING CHUCK CLANCY FORD'S, IT HAS A DEFECTIVE PART (FORWARD PISTON) WHICH SUPPOSEDLY WAS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM ORIGINALLY AND NOW HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH ONE MADE OF STEEL. EACH TECHNICIAN I'VE SPOKEN WITH HAS SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND TO REPLACE THE 8 DOLLAR PART WOULD TAKE 2000 TO 2500 DOLLARS. IF THIS IS A MISTAKE THAT FORD MADE WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS THEN I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD PAY TO FIX IT. WOULDN'T YOU AGREE???
NHTSA ODI #706331
Mileage unknown · May 5, 1999
Power Train
ALUMINIUM PISTON WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION SNAPPED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. COULD RESULT IN A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837510
Mileage unknown · May 4, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC VEHICLE WOULD DIE OR STALLS OUT FOR NO REASON. HAD TALKED TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP WAS UNDERSIZED. VAPORS LOCK THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837442
Mileage unknown · May 4, 1999
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WAS IDLING WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD, CAUSING THE CLUTCH PISTON TO GO BAD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837396
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
I ACTIVATED CRUISE CONTROL AT 50 MPH. CAR ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH. I BRAKED AND CAR SLOWED. I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR ACCELERATED AGAIN. I BRAKED, TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL, AND CAR ACCELERATED AGAIN. I HELD DOWN CRUISE CONROL OFF BUTTON AND IT FINALLY DEACTIVATED. I DID NOT TURN IT ON AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #706127
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS
NHTSA ODI #545243
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 1999
Suspension
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SPRING COIL FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN TIRE BLOW OUT AND DAMAGE TO STRUTS, RECALL COMPONENT HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #. MJS (98M02)
NHTSA ODI #545141
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE WITHIN 50,000 WHICH, COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHIFT UP AND THROTTLE TO JAM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836878
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1999
Structure
RECALL NOTICE SENT TO THE WRONG ADDRESS. (98V-323) MJS
NHTSA ODI #545058
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 1999
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *YC
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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