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
65,000 miles · Sep 27, 2003
Power Train
THE THIRD TRANSMISSION HAS NOW FAILED. THE FIRST TIME SHORTLY AFTER OBTAINING THE CAR NEW. THE SECOND TIME AT AROUND 65,000 MILES (AT THIS JUNCTURE I WAS TOLD BY A RELIABLE SOURCE THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM). THE THIRD FAILURE, AUG. 2003, HAS JUST HAPPENED AFTER REPEAT TRIP TO THE DEALER WITH FAILURE OF THE…
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THE THIRD TRANSMISSION HAS NOW FAILED. THE FIRST TIME SHORTLY AFTER OBTAINING THE CAR NEW. THE SECOND TIME AT AROUND 65,000 MILES (AT THIS JUNCTURE I WAS TOLD BY A RELIABLE SOURCE THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM). THE THIRD FAILURE, AUG. 2003, HAS JUST HAPPENED AFTER REPEAT TRIP TO THE DEALER WITH FAILURE OF THE CAR TO MOVE COMPLAINTS, IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND THE MILEAGE WARRANTY IS NOT IN FORCE. THE CAR IS JUST A LITTLE OVER THE 12,000 MILE PERIOD BUT IS WAS NOT WHEN I BEGAN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. THIS PERSON THAT I CONTINUE TO CONNECT WITH, WHILE CALLING FORD, IS NON RESPONSIVE AND REFUSES TO CONNECT ME WITH A SUPERVISOR. ALL SHE SAY'S IS "WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM" AND "I CANNOT SPEAK WITH ANYONE ELSE". I HAVE SPENT OVER $5,000 REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS AND I'M GOING TO GET SOME RESOLUTION. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE IN BRING THIS TO A POSITIVE CONCLUSION. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW IS WHEN THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED, 3 MONTHS AFTER GETTING THIS CAR NEW.
NHTSA ODI #10039626
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10040421
77,500 miles · Sep 23, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT RECALL 98V32300 ISSUED ON DECEMBER 15, 1998 CONCERNING STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS DEFECT. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED IN THE STATE WHERE THE PROBLEM HAPPENED.*AK THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ENGINE APPEARED…
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT RECALL 98V32300 ISSUED ON DECEMBER 15, 1998 CONCERNING STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS DEFECT. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED IN THE STATE WHERE THE PROBLEM HAPPENED.*AK THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ENGINE APPEARED LOWER THAN NORMAL AND THE BODY MOUNTS ON SUBFRAME SEPARATED DUE TO CORROSION.*TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10037954
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED TWICE THE FUEL LINES . THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FUEL LINE WAS MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL. *AK *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10034257
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER NOTICED A BOLT AND WASHER UNDER VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10032300
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS HAVE CRACKED AND VEHICLE HAS NOT EXCEEDED 50000 MILES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030093
83,000 miles · Jul 2, 2003
Suspension
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY JERK REAL HARD. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026507
130,000 miles · May 28, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I PURCHASED MY 1994 FORD TAURUS USED IN FALL 2002. IN FEBRUARY 2003 THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER BROKE. I THEN HAD BOTH REAR CALIPERS REPLACED ALONG WITH PADS AND ROTORS. ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE BEGAN GRINDING AGAIN. THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER WAS AGAIN REPLACED ALONG…
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I PURCHASED MY 1994 FORD TAURUS USED IN FALL 2002. IN FEBRUARY 2003 THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER BROKE. I THEN HAD BOTH REAR CALIPERS REPLACED ALONG WITH PADS AND ROTORS. ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE BEGAN GRINDING AGAIN. THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER WAS AGAIN REPLACED ALONG WITH ROTORS AND PADS. MY MECHANIC REPORTED THAT A PROPORTIONING VALVE HAD A GREAT DEAL OF RUST AND WAS NOT PERMITTING BRAKE FLUID TO THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE. THIS VALVE HAS LINES TO ALL 4 BRAKES AND HE IS UNCERTAIN IF ALL LINES MUST BE REPLACED WHEN THE VALVE IS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10020670
8,927 miles · May 20, 2003
Exterior Lighting
WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. WHEN THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED THE HEAD LIGHTS REMAINED ON. *JB PH
NHTSA ODI #10020219
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER ABRUPTLY. *JB
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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