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 21, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING HOT OFF & ON FOR OVER A YEAR. HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, BUT NOT SO. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER MACHANIC, THEY PUT A NEW RADIATOR IN THAT COST 600.+ THE CAR RAN HOT. A WEEK LATER,TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MACHANIC. HE FOUND OUT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I CALLED LEWIS FOR AND…
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MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING HOT OFF & ON FOR OVER A YEAR. HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED, BUT NOT SO. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER MACHANIC, THEY PUT A NEW RADIATOR IN THAT COST 600.+ THE CAR RAN HOT. A WEEK LATER,TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MACHANIC. HE FOUND OUT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I CALLED LEWIS FOR AND BECAUSE IT HAPPENED 10 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION ON THE RECALL,THE WOULD NOT FIX IT. I SPENT ANOTHER 1100.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY WHAT THE FORD DEALERS CHARGE PER HOUR. THEREFORE DID NOT TAKE MY CAR TO THEM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES AND IT MAKES ME MAD. NOW I'M STUCK WITH THIS CAR THAT HAS 5 RECALLS ON IT. IT IS A PAIN TO TRY AND FIND RIDES BACK & FOURTH TO WORK, AS WELL AS GETTING MY SON TO SCHOOL, AS THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR. IT IS NOT MY FAULT THEY COULD NOT BUILD THIS CAR CORRECTLY, BUT STILL PUT IT OUT THERE AND SELL THEM. I THINK IT IS VERY UNFAIR TO MAKE US PAY THE PRICE, AND I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AND WILL DISCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE FROM PURCHASING ONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #704711
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL AT STOP, CAUSING VEHICLENOT TO MOVE FORWARD. IT THEN "JUMPS" INTO GEAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD.
NHTSA ODI #704667
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND SHOES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835987
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN VEHICLE ALMOST STOPPED AND THEN ACCELERATES THERE IS A LONG HESITATION. DEALER REPORTS TRANSMISSION FAILURE PERHAPS DUE TO ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #704639
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1999
Electrical SystemSteering
IGNITION SWITCH BROKE, AND STEERING WENT OUT ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT VEHICLE OUT OF REPAIR SHOP FOR A RECALL REPAIRS. ALL PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN WHEN CONSUMER GOT VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835956
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE OVERHEATS WITHIN 5-30 MINUTES OF OPERATION. I HAD THE WATERPUMP REPLACED AT 87,000 MILES THEN HAD THE THERMOSTAT RELACED 2 WEEKS LATER. I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING THEN COOLING DOWN EVER TIME I OPERATE THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE RADIATOR TEST AND FOUND ON PROBLEMS WITH THIS UNITS OPERATION.
NHTSA ODI #704509
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 1999
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD GO. THIS IN MY MIND WAS A DANGEROUS SCENARIO. FINALLY, I ENDED UP PAYING 1197. BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE MY CAR WOULD NOT GO. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD GO. THIS IN MY MIND WAS A DANGEROUS SCENARIO. FINALLY, I ENDED UP PAYING 1197. BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILING. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH A VEHICHLE AT 67,000 MILES NOR SHOULD THIS ELEMENT OF DANGER OCCUR. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN.
NHTSA ODI #704490
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1999
Structure
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V323000 & CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT 2 MONTHS AHEAD. THE OWNER WAS UPSET. SAID IT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. NEEDED A BETTER SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT PROMPT REPAIR ON RECALLS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835867
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1999
Structure
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL (#98V323000). CONTACTED DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT 3 WEEKS IS THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT GIVEN. OWNER WAS UNHAPPY & SAID IT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN EARLIER DATE. *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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