SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC AT 18 MONTHS, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, 18 MONTHS LATER, SAME BEHAVIOUR; ABOVE 45MPH, BOUNCING SPEEDOMETER, NOISY, CANNOT JUDGE SPEED ABOVE 45 MPH; DEALER WANTS MANY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX; INTERNET POSTINGS SHOW WELL KNOW MANUFACTURING DEFECT; I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE-NEW ROAD, SIGN SAYS MAX SAFE SP…
Read full complaint
SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC AT 18 MONTHS, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, 18 MONTHS LATER, SAME BEHAVIOUR; ABOVE 45MPH, BOUNCING SPEEDOMETER, NOISY, CANNOT JUDGE SPEED ABOVE 45 MPH; DEALER WANTS MANY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX; INTERNET POSTINGS SHOW WELL KNOW MANUFACTURING DEFECT; I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE-NEW ROAD, SIGN SAYS MAX SAFE SPEED 50MPH, BUT I CANNOT MEASURE MY SPEED, IF I GO BY THE NEEDLE, I COULD EASILY BE GOING TOO FAST FOR THE CURVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743510
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD JUMP BACK AND FORTH WHENEVER VEHICLE REACHES 50 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COSUMER PICKED UP THE EXPENSES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #884510
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Power Train
FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED THROUGH THEIR INTERNET CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND BY TELEPHONE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEIR REPLY IS THAT THE CAR WAS COVERED BY A 3 YEAR, 36,000 MILE WARRANTEE. NO OTHER COMMENTS IN SPITE OF NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THEM. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM UNIQUE TO MY CAR. A FRIEND OF MINE WAS FLEET MANAGER FOR A NEW J…
Read full complaint
FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED THROUGH THEIR INTERNET CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND BY TELEPHONE TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEIR REPLY IS THAT THE CAR WAS COVERED BY A 3 YEAR, 36,000 MILE WARRANTEE. NO OTHER COMMENTS IN SPITE OF NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THEM. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM UNIQUE TO MY CAR. A FRIEND OF MINE WAS FLEET MANAGER FOR A NEW JERSY COMPANY. HE TOLD ME THAT SPEEDOMETER FAILURE WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TAURUS. MY BROTHERS TAURUS ALSO HAD A FAILED SPEEDOMETER. PLEASE HELP ME GET FORD TO ADMIT THEIR SPEEDOMETER DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE, AND THAT THEY ARE RESPONSILE FOR THE ONGOING FAILURES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #742787
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO OPERATE. THIS DEFECT WAS FIXED IN APRIL OF 1997 (COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.) HOWEVER, DEFECT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, NEEDLE ON SPEEDOMETER WILL JUMP AROUND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #882862
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Power Train
SPEEDOMETOR DOES NOT TELL SPEED, ARROW JUST BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH.*AK THE SPEEDOMETER REPLACED THREE TIMES. *YH
NHTSA ODI #882078
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER WHINES AND DOES NOT SHOW CORRECT SPEED AT 45MPH OR HIGHER. PROBLEM FIRST STARTED YEAR WHEN WE BOUGHT CAR. FIRST SPEEDOMETER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND SECOND ONE WE PAID FOR OURSELVES. THE THIRD SPEEDOMETER IS NOW GOING BAD. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTLY AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT T…
Read full complaint
SPEEDOMETER WHINES AND DOES NOT SHOW CORRECT SPEED AT 45MPH OR HIGHER. PROBLEM FIRST STARTED YEAR WHEN WE BOUGHT CAR. FIRST SPEEDOMETER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND SECOND ONE WE PAID FOR OURSELVES. THE THIRD SPEEDOMETER IS NOW GOING BAD. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTLY AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS LOOK ON THE INTERNET. THE NET IS FILLED WITH FRUSTRATED PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME WHO CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW ONE CAR CAN NEED ITS SPEEDOMETER REPLACE SO OFTEN. PLEASE HELP US. FORD MUST OWN UP TO A BIG MISTAKE AND HELP US SOMEHOW.*AK
NHTSA ODI #741714
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2001
Electrical SystemPower Train
ODOMETER IS ERRATIC, ABOVE 50MPH NEEDLE SHOWS ANY READING. DEALER KNOWS ELECTRONIC ANALOGUE CHIP HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881547
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Power Train
SPEEDODMETER OPERATES ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. SPEED LEVEL DOES NOT REGISTER, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881289
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Power Train
WHEN VEHICLE REACHES ABOUT 50MPH SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE MOVES AND BOUNCES AROUND SPEEDOMETER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #880964
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
AT 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER FROM TRANSMISSION TO WHEELS. IT SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING, AND THEN IT WOULD GRAB AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH. AT TIMES THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONSISTENTLY UPSHIFTING LATE AND DOWNSHIFTING EARLY, AND SOMETIMES SLIPPING. ONE REPAIR SHOP COU…
Read full complaint
AT 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER FROM TRANSMISSION TO WHEELS. IT SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING, AND THEN IT WOULD GRAB AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH. AT TIMES THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONSISTENTLY UPSHIFTING LATE AND DOWNSHIFTING EARLY, AND SOMETIMES SLIPPING. ONE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. GENE EVANS FORD QUICKLY DETERMINED THAT A FAULTY VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE. (THIS ALSO CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BE INOP). THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE PERFORMED FLAWLESSLY. THE PART COST $36.58. LABOR WAS $305.46. THE TOTAL BILL CAME TO $369.60. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS COST. 6
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.
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: 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.
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
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.
1995 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration