IllustrationTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED BUT THE PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED SINCE JANUARY 2000 AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABE IN THE SOON DUE TO TOOLING AND VENDOR PROBLEMS. NLM
1995 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 119 of 1,205 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.
- Power Train. Review the 394 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 352 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
60 crash reports53 fire reports48 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
352 reportsSTARTING ON 3/15, THE CAR WOULD TURN OFF WITH NO WARNING, BOTH AT IDLE AND AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 75 MPH. WE ARE LEFT TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. SOMETIMES IT WILL RECRANK, OTHER TIMES IT WON'T. LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR 5 TIMES (HAS IT NOW) AND CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. HAVE REPLACED F…
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STARTING ON 3/15, THE CAR WOULD TURN OFF WITH NO WARNING, BOTH AT IDLE AND AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 75 MPH. WE ARE LEFT TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. SOMETIMES IT WILL RECRANK, OTHER TIMES IT WON'T. LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR 5 TIMES (HAS IT NOW) AND CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP, CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR, WATER PUMP, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND VARIOUS FILTERS. UNTIL RECENTLY, THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO WE KEPT THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS LITERALLY LURCHING AND KNOCKING, BARELY DRIVING MORE THAN A MILE AT A TIME, TURNING OFF EVERY 100 YARDS OR SO. THEY FINALLY SAW IT TURN ITSELF OFF. IT JUST GOES DEAD. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES, WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A TELLTALE "SHUDDER" THAT OCCURED SOMETIME PRIOR TO IT SHUTTING OFF. NO REAL PATTERN THOUGH. CAN HAPPEN FIRST THING IN THE AM, WHEN COLD, OR ON HIGHWAY AT CRUISING SPEED, OR ON CITY STREETS IN STOP/GO. ALSO AT IDLE, OR COMING TO A STOP. CANNOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I FOUND 44 OTHER INSTANCES MENTIONED HERE OF THIS...ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE CALL IT ENGINE, OTHERS FUEL, OTHERS EVEN HAVE SAID TRANSMISSION OR IGNITION/ELECTRICAL, WHILE ALL DESCRIBING THE SAME THING. WHEN WILL FORD GET THE IDEA THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM????*AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE ENGINE. YH
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING BACK AND FORTH. I STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THE CAR TO BE OVERHEATING. VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN AND COOLANT WAS ADDED. CONTINUED ON TO DESTINATION WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. VECHILE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER IN AR…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING BACK AND FORTH. I STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THE CAR TO BE OVERHEATING. VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN AND COOLANT WAS ADDED. CONTINUED ON TO DESTINATION WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. VECHILE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER IN ARKANSAS TO PINPOINT PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED.DUE TO PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8L ENGINE, FORD WOULD FIX AT NO CHARGE. REPAIR TOOK OVER A WEEK RESULTING IN MYSELF AND FAMILY HAVING TO RETURN TO FLORIDA BY OTHER MEANS AND HAVING TO RETURN TO ARKANSAS THE FOLLOWING WEEK TO PICK UP MY CAR. DESPITE THIS PROBLEM BEING COVERED UNDER AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" FORD OFFORED NO ASSISTANCE FOR THE INCONVIENCE/EXPENSE WE WENT THROUGH, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW WE WERE FROM OUT OF STATE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PROMISED TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE WE HAD TO RETURN TO FLORIDA. A SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINT WAS FILED TO LANDERS FORD IN LITTLE ROCK, AR AND TO THE DIRECTOR OF FORD'S VEHICLE SERVICE AND PROGRAMS DEPT. BOTH LETTERS WERE UNANSWERED/IGNORED. VEHICLE CI AGAIN LOSING COOLANT (5/24/2000) AND WILL BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER IN DOTHAN. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE OVERHEATING AND LOSS OF POWER, RECALL FOR SAME FAILURE, HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN #. YH
ENGINE OVERHEATED, TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP, HEAD GASKET FAILED, WAS AFTER RECALL DATE (DEC. 98) WAS TOLD NO MAXIMUM MILEAGE BY FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. LATER FORD CHANGED DATE BUT PUT A LID OF 100,000 MILES. HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAILE. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE …
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ENGINE OVERHEATED, TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP, HEAD GASKET FAILED, WAS AFTER RECALL DATE (DEC. 98) WAS TOLD NO MAXIMUM MILEAGE BY FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. LATER FORD CHANGED DATE BUT PUT A LID OF 100,000 MILES. HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAILE. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE BUT A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED TO THE CUSTOMER.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN ODOR OF ANTI-FREEZE CAME THROUGH AIR VENTS INSIDE OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO INDICATED POSSIBLE HEATER CORE OR HEAD GASKETS CAUSING PROBLEM WHICH IS OR COULD BE REPARABLE. MEANWHILE OWNER HAS TO CONTINUALLY ADD ANTI-FREEZE TO VEHICLE TO PREVENT IT FROM HEATING UP. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Official recalls
501V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Dec 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
98V323000 · 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.
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.
94V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Oct 11, 1994
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
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.