NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
394 reportsClear category filter136,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
THIS PAST SUNDAY, ON JUNE 11, 2017 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A GRADUATION PARTY AND THERE WAS A LOUD "POW" ONCE I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP. MY STEERING WAS VERY STIFF (AS IF I WAS DRIVING AN ANCIENT LARGE TRUCK WITH NO POWER STEERING, ALSO MY EXHAUST SYSTEM AT LEAST PARTIALLY CAME UNDUN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CRIPPLED CAR TO OUR …
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THIS PAST SUNDAY, ON JUNE 11, 2017 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A GRADUATION PARTY AND THERE WAS A LOUD "POW" ONCE I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP. MY STEERING WAS VERY STIFF (AS IF I WAS DRIVING AN ANCIENT LARGE TRUCK WITH NO POWER STEERING, ALSO MY EXHAUST SYSTEM AT LEAST PARTIALLY CAME UNDUN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CRIPPLED CAR TO OUR REGULAR REPAIR SHOP, WHO TOLD ME THAT I HAD A SUBFRAME RUST-COLLAPSE. I HAD TALKED TO A SHADETREE MECHANIC FRIEND, WHO SAID THAT IT WASN'T AN ACTUAL SUBFRAME COLLAPSE, BUT THE NEXT LAYER UP, THE ENGINE CRADLE WHOSE SLEEVES ARE NO THICKER STEEL THAN THE UNIBODY SHEETMETAL. ONE OF THE SLEEVES RUSTED THROUGH. SUPPOSEDLY THE ENGINE CRADLE SLEEVES ARE REMOVABLE/OR THE CRADLE ITSELF. MY MECHANIC FRIEND AND THE TOW FELLOW THAT BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO MY HOME, BOTH SAID THAT WHAT HAPPENED IS QUITE RARE, THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN INCIDENT. THE CRADLE RUST THROUGH CAUSED MY FRONT SUBFRAME TO PARTIALLY COLLAPSE AND THE ENGINE IS TILTED DOWN ON THE RIGHT-FRONT. THIS DISCONNECTED THE EXHAUST AND BOUND-UP MY RACK-AND-PINION STEERING, RENDERING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS CAR IS NOT A RUST-BUCKET, NO RUSTY BODY PANEL HOLES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE STILL WORKS! JUST THE PAINT AND CLEARCOAT ARE FLAKING-OFF. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEARCHED LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS, BUT CANNOT FIND A GOOD ENGINE CRADLE/SLEEVES. YET, THERE ARE SCADS OF GOOD TAURUS ENGINES CHEAPLY AVAILABLE. WHY DIDN'T FORD OFFER REPLACEMENT ENGINE CRADLE/SLEEVES? WAS THERE NO RECALL? I'D BET I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO!! I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS CAR FIXED! I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE SUBFRAME FALLEN AFTER THE ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE. PLEASE SEND ME AN E-MAIL ADDRESS I CAN UPLOAD THEM TO. I LOSE THIS PAGE IF I TRY TO UPLOAD HERE (4TH TIME!)
NHTSA ODI #10995826
74,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 1995 FORD TAURUS,FAN MOTOR FROZE, FORD SAID THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE CIRCUIT BREAKER BUT NOT THE FAN WHICH IS NOW FROZE UP AGAIN DUE TO MILEAGE (142,000). I'VE REPLACED MOTOR NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES SINCE 1997 BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT R…
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 1995 FORD TAURUS,FAN MOTOR FROZE, FORD SAID THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE CIRCUIT BREAKER BUT NOT THE FAN WHICH IS NOW FROZE UP AGAIN DUE TO MILEAGE (142,000). I'VE REPLACED MOTOR NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES SINCE 1997 BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT RECALL. ALSO I'VE REPLACED A REAR MOTOR MOUNT TWO TO FOUR TIMES SINCE 1997. A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BOUGHT OR BUILT IN CERTAIN OTHER STATES HAVE RECALLS ON WHAT SOUNDS TO BE THIS SAME PROBLEM CAUSES ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL CAUSING ACCIDENT. FORD WILL NOT FIX. COULD I GET HELP FROM YOU IN ORDER TO GET FORD TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. [XXX] *TR
NHTSA ODI #10323070
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2008
Power Train
TRANSMISSION - CAR DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. IT JUST STOPPED SUDDENLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241583
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2007
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES WHEN STOPPED. I ACTUALLY ROLLED OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKES BEFORE I REALIZED I HAD NO POWER. IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. RESEARCH I HAVE DONE INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212004
45,000 miles · Jun 6, 2006
Power Train
(AUTO DESCRIPTION) 1995 FORD TAURUS 3.0 LITER ENGINE WITH 45,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. (1) NO EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE. (2) TRANSMISSION NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATES #2 CLUTCH FAILURE. LONG DELAY GETTING INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE. CAR LURCHES UPON START-UP. CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM 2ND G…
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(AUTO DESCRIPTION) 1995 FORD TAURUS 3.0 LITER ENGINE WITH 45,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. (1) NO EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE. (2) TRANSMISSION NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATES #2 CLUTCH FAILURE. LONG DELAY GETTING INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE. CAR LURCHES UPON START-UP. CAR DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM 2ND GEAR INTO 3RD GEAR. TRANSMISSION GENERALLY UNRELIABLE. TRANSMISSION HAS NOT COMPLETELY FAILED YET. (3) HAD DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED. RECOMMENDED REPAIR IS TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $3,000. NEW TRANSMISSION COMES WITH A 3 YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. MECHANIC DID NOT RECOMMEND HAVING REPAIR DONE AS REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO VALUE OF CAR WITH WORKING TRANSMISSION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10159101
105,000 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Exterior LightingPower Train
DT: CONSUMER COULD NOT MOVE TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO ON. ALSO, BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10131897
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2005
Power Train
MY 1995 FORD TAURUS GL HAS WENT THROUGH 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THE PAST 6 YEARS. THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION CAN NOT BE REBUILT. I AM TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY TO KEEP THIS CAR RUNNING WHEN THE ONLY PIECE THAT KEEPS GOING OUT IS THE DREADED AX4N TRANSMISSION USED IN THIS VEHICLE. IS THERE NOT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION THAT WILL WORK IN TH…
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MY 1995 FORD TAURUS GL HAS WENT THROUGH 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THE PAST 6 YEARS. THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION CAN NOT BE REBUILT. I AM TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY TO KEEP THIS CAR RUNNING WHEN THE ONLY PIECE THAT KEEPS GOING OUT IS THE DREADED AX4N TRANSMISSION USED IN THIS VEHICLE. IS THERE NOT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION THAT WILL WORK IN THIS CAR?
NHTSA ODI #10110595
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2004
Interior LightingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AS THEY SHOULD. *TC THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DOME LIGHT FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10105270
37,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, IT IS IN NEED OF THE FORTH TRANSMISSION, AND THE CASE IS CRAKED. THE DEALER STATES THAT THEY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORTH TRANSMISSION. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS AT 37,000, THE SECOND WAS 87,000, NOW AT 100,000 THOUSAND MILES THE VEHICLE …
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THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. HOWEVER, IT IS IN NEED OF THE FORTH TRANSMISSION, AND THE CASE IS CRAKED. THE DEALER STATES THAT THEY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORTH TRANSMISSION. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS AT 37,000, THE SECOND WAS 87,000, NOW AT 100,000 THOUSAND MILES THE VEHICLE NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHR INFORMATION
NHTSA ODI #10092024
888,887 miles · Jul 14, 2004
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainSuspension
I BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO AND RIGHT OFF WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. VERY DISAPPIONTED BECAUSE I LOVE MY FORDS I CHECKED THE FLUILDS AND KEPT IT UP HAD THE GASKET REPLACED. AND IT STILL JERKS INTO GEAR BUT ITS AN AUTOMATIC ! WHAT CONCERNS ME NOW MY I HAD MY ROTARS AND BRAKES REPLACED AND MY CAR IS…
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I BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO AND RIGHT OFF WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. VERY DISAPPIONTED BECAUSE I LOVE MY FORDS I CHECKED THE FLUILDS AND KEPT IT UP HAD THE GASKET REPLACED. AND IT STILL JERKS INTO GEAR BUT ITS AN AUTOMATIC ! WHAT CONCERNS ME NOW MY I HAD MY ROTARS AND BRAKES REPLACED AND MY CAR IS STILL EATING UP TIRES TOO AND BOUNCING ALL OVER THE ROAD!! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081038
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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