IllustrationWELDS BROKE SEVERAL TIMES ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKETS.
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 reportsAFTER TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED FOR 5-6 HRS I STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT.STARTED UP IN FIRST GEAR AND RACED WHEN IT SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR AND DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. NEMER FORD IN GLEN FALLS SAID INTERNAL PROBLEM. SAID OUT OF WARRANTY, AND HAD REPAIRED BY BOCCHI'S, AN INDEPENDANT SHOP. TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSED BY REBUILDER AS HAVING PL…
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AFTER TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED FOR 5-6 HRS I STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT.STARTED UP IN FIRST GEAR AND RACED WHEN IT SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR AND DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE. NEMER FORD IN GLEN FALLS SAID INTERNAL PROBLEM. SAID OUT OF WARRANTY, AND HAD REPAIRED BY BOCCHI'S, AN INDEPENDANT SHOP. TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSED BY REBUILDER AS HAVING PLENATARY SHAFT FAILURE DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION. AS PER REPAIR SHOP THIS TRANNY DIDN'T HAVE LARGE ENOUGH OIL LINES TO CRITICAL PARTS SUCH AS PLANATARY GEAR. FORD DENIES PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANNIES AND SAID IT WAS MY PROBLEM DUE TO THE DATE IT HAPPENED. *AK
HAVE HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT FUEL PUMPS PUT ON CAR BETWEEN 7/97 AND 9/97. ALSO " ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON ON A FREQUENT BASIS, NEVER KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM OR IF IT IS JUST LIGHTING UP. *AK
1988-1993 FORD HAS RECALLED MOTOR/ENGINE MOUNTS ON ALL 3.8 L ENGINES INSTALLED IN TAURUS, SABLE, & CONTINENTAL, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS IN 94 MODEL BUT FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. 3.8L ENGINE NOT OFFERED IN THESE AUTOS AFTER 95. WHEN TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET FAILED COVER COULD NOT BE REMOVED, WAS BROKEN OFF, LOSING WATER PUMP I…
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1988-1993 FORD HAS RECALLED MOTOR/ENGINE MOUNTS ON ALL 3.8 L ENGINES INSTALLED IN TAURUS, SABLE, & CONTINENTAL, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS IN 94 MODEL BUT FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. 3.8L ENGINE NOT OFFERED IN THESE AUTOS AFTER 95. WHEN TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET FAILED COVER COULD NOT BE REMOVED, WAS BROKEN OFF, LOSING WATER PUMP IN PROCESS, NO COVERAGE FROM FORD. AT SAME TIME HEAD GASKETS REPLACED AT FORD EXPENSE. ENGINE FAILED TWO WEEKS LATER, FORD INSTALLED SHORT BLOC REPLACEMENT.
VEHICLE HAD BAD ENGINE HEAD GASKET WHICH WAS NOTICED WHEN CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AFTER IT WAS FIXED 3 YEARS AGO THROUGH A RECALL BY FORD. CURRENTLY FORD HAS A NEW DESIGN GASKET WHICH THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET/4 MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, AND ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONED.
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
I KNOW OF ONCE WHEN THE SECOND OWNER HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TWICE OURSELVES, AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BOTH TIMES. IT FAILED THE FIRST TIME WHILE I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE IN 1997. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY JUST AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE…
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I KNOW OF ONCE WHEN THE SECOND OWNER HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TWICE OURSELVES, AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BOTH TIMES. IT FAILED THE FIRST TIME WHILE I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE IN 1997. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY JUST AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT. THERE I WAS, IN THE MIDDLE OF HWY 25. BEFORE WE GOT IT FIXED THE SECOND TIME AND BEFORE WE FOUND OUT WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON, MY SON HAD VEHICLE QUIT ON HIM IN A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION OF ST. CLOUD, AND AGAIN ON HIS WAY BACK WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 10. YOU CAN BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR WILL QUIT RUNNING. YOU CAN RESTART IT WITHOUT IT QUITING ON YOU AGAIN. WHEN DISCUSSED WITH PREVIOUS OWNER HE TOLD US WHAT TO LOOK FOR BECAUSE THE PERSON HE TOOK IT TO TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE '94 SHO'S BUT THAT NO RECALL HAD EVER BEEN DONE. WE WERE TOLD NOT TO LET THE CAR'S GAS GET BELOW 1/4 IN THE WARM WEATHER BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT CAUSES THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. WE WERE TOLD IT IS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM THAT CAN'T BE FIXED. THAT WE WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP EVERY SUMMER. I CALLED FORD, THEY SAID NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE. I CALLED A DEALER ON TECHNICAL PAPERS REGARDING THIS,- THEY SAID THEY HAD NO PAPERS REGARDING IT AND THAT I SHOULD CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER EVERY 25,000 TO 30,000 MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN MY OTHER VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE.
WELD BUSHING ON BALL JOINT FAILED.
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.