IllustrationWHILE STARTING ENGINE STALLED. WHEN ENGINE FINALLY STARTED, CONSUMER NOTICED FUMES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND STATED ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATON. *AK
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 reportsCAR DIED IN PARKING LOT. AFTER ABOUT 7 ATTEMPTS, CAR STARTED ON ITS OWN. CAR IDLED ROUGH AND WAS EMITTING WHITE EXHAUST AND ON WAY HOME. PUT CAR INTO PARK AT EACH STOP LIGHT TO KEEP IT FROM DYING. NOTICED A SMELL WHEN GOT HOME. THOUGHT AT FIRST A BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. DROVE TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THAT IT…
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CAR DIED IN PARKING LOT. AFTER ABOUT 7 ATTEMPTS, CAR STARTED ON ITS OWN. CAR IDLED ROUGH AND WAS EMITTING WHITE EXHAUST AND ON WAY HOME. PUT CAR INTO PARK AT EACH STOP LIGHT TO KEEP IT FROM DYING. NOTICED A SMELL WHEN GOT HOME. THOUGHT AT FIRST A BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. DROVE TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULTY HEADGASKET WHICH BLEW THE ENTIRE ENGINE. DOING RESEARCH ON YOUR WEBSITE NOTICED QUITE A FEW OF SAME COMPLAINTS. A CAR THIS YOUNG WITH UNDER 80,000 MILES SHOULD NOT NEED ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. WOULD APPRECIATE SO MUCH IF AN INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED. WE BOUGHT CAR 1 1/2 YEAR AGO FOR 10,000 AND CAN'T AFFORD THIS HEFTY OF A REPAIR, AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. BUT OTHERS HAVE HAD IT TOO SO I THINK IT IS INVESTIGATION WORTHY. ON A FEW OF THE COMPLAINTS THERE WAS AN INVEST #1E98080 AND RECALL #98M01KAA LISTED....CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THIS MEANS. THERE ARE ONLY 4 RECALLS UNDER THE MODEL AND TYPE AND THIS # WAS NOT LISTED. IF AN INVEST. WAS DONE IN '98 I THINK THEY NEED TO DO ANOTHER NOW BECAUSE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS CAME FROM THIS YEAR OR LAST YEAR. MANUFACTURER OR DEALER HAS NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OUR NEW CAR. CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE TO FIND INFO ON THAT RECALL # A FEW OF THE COMPLAINTS SAID FORD WAS AWARE OF THIS, BUT NO ONE HAS BEEN HELPFUL...THANK YOU
1. RADIATOR - FAILED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT IN PLASTIC TO ALUMINUM CORE JOINT, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT, REPLACEMENT FAILED WITHIN ONE DAY. REPLACEMENT FOR THAT ONE LASTED ONLY ABOUT 20,000 ADDITIONAL MILES, SO A TOTAL OF THREE IDENTICAL RADIATOR FAILURES WITH LOSS OF COOLANT IN ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON THE SAME CAR. SAME PROBLEM O…
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1. RADIATOR - FAILED DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT IN PLASTIC TO ALUMINUM CORE JOINT, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT, REPLACEMENT FAILED WITHIN ONE DAY. REPLACEMENT FOR THAT ONE LASTED ONLY ABOUT 20,000 ADDITIONAL MILES, SO A TOTAL OF THREE IDENTICAL RADIATOR FAILURES WITH LOSS OF COOLANT IN ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON THE SAME CAR. SAME PROBLEM ON SON'S 1995 TAURUS SEDAN WITH SAME ENGINE. ORIGINAL RADIATOR FAILED, REPLACEMENT FAILED WITHIN 1,000 MILES OF INSTALLATION. THIS EXPERIENCE SEEMS TO INDICATE A FUNDAMENTAL DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TAURUS RADIATOR. 2. BRAKE FAILURE. DEFECT IN DESIGN OF REAR CALIPERS USED WITH ABS SYSTEM ON THE TAURUS RESULTS IN RAINWATER INTRUSION CAUSING RUSTING OF CALIPER PINS THAT THEN IMPEDES PROPER RETRACTION OF THE BRAKE PADS. EXCESSIVE PAD WEAR RESULTS IN METAL TO METAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE CALIPER PISTON AND THE PAD BACKING PLATE WITH GREATLY REDUCED BRAKING EFFICIENCY. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS FAILED, FORD SENT LETTER STATING REPAIR COVERED TO 60000 MILES, WITH NO EXPLANATION OF WARNING SIGNS OF FAILURE. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN COMING TO STOP AND JERKS INTO GEAR, CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENTS. AGAIN FORD KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM (PER TSB) REFUSES TO PAY FOR FIXING. *AK
VEHICLE IS LEAKING BECAUSE OF TIMING COVER GASKET AND WATER PUMP GASKET FAILURE. YH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL WHICH SPILLED ONTO THE MANIFOLD, CAUSING A FIRE AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN MY 3.8 LITRE ENGINE BLEW ITS HEAD GASKET I COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO START AGAIN, AND HAD TO ELICIT THE HELP OF OTHERS TO PUSH THE VEHICLE FURTHER OUT OF HARMS WAY; THE CAR STOPPED ON AN EXTREMELY BUSY STREET AND THERE WERE MANY HONKING HORNS AND SEVERAL PEOPLE TRYING TO HAPHAZARDLY CHANGE OUT OF MY LANE; MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS…
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WHEN MY 3.8 LITRE ENGINE BLEW ITS HEAD GASKET I COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO START AGAIN, AND HAD TO ELICIT THE HELP OF OTHERS TO PUSH THE VEHICLE FURTHER OUT OF HARMS WAY; THE CAR STOPPED ON AN EXTREMELY BUSY STREET AND THERE WERE MANY HONKING HORNS AND SEVERAL PEOPLE TRYING TO HAPHAZARDLY CHANGE OUT OF MY LANE; MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS AS THIS WAS AT RUSH HOUR HEADING INTO WORK; VERY HARROWING INCIDENT ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS HURT. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 38000 MILES, ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACED BY FORD AT NO COST. THE NEW ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED 11 MONTHS AND 11000 MILES LATER AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS PROBLEM WAS KNOWN THE FIRST TIME IT WENT AND FORD REPLACED THE ENGINE, BUT IT APPEARS THEY DID NOT ACTUALLY SOLVE THE UNDERLYI…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 38000 MILES, ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACED BY FORD AT NO COST. THE NEW ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED 11 MONTHS AND 11000 MILES LATER AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS PROBLEM WAS KNOWN THE FIRST TIME IT WENT AND FORD REPLACED THE ENGINE, BUT IT APPEARS THEY DID NOT ACTUALLY SOLVE THE UNDERLYING HEADGASKET PROBLEM. *AK
RADIATOR CONTINUALLY LEAKING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL, NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE FAILURE. *MJS
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.