NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
84 reportsClear category filter41,658 miles · Mar 8, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT STEERING WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A REALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT NEED AN ALIGNMENT BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR MAINTENAN…
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TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT STEERING WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A REALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT NEED AN ALIGNMENT BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 41,658 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10184531
118,000 miles · Mar 16, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO LOW GEAR AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROPORTIONING VALVE FAILED CAUSING A RUPTURE IN …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO LOW GEAR AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROPORTIONING VALVE FAILED CAUSING A RUPTURE IN THE BRAKE LINE AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VALVE AND BRAKE LINE ARE BEING REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10152881
115,000 miles · Feb 13, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
BRAKES ALWAYS FELT WEAK SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR IN JULY 2004, CAR COLLIDED AT LOW SPEED WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF IT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR, AS THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF MY CAR WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC AND WAS DRIVING A VAN THAT COULD NOT BE SEEN AROUND, AND PROCEEDED TO LOCK HIS BRAKES TO AVOID REAR-ENDING…
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BRAKES ALWAYS FELT WEAK SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR IN JULY 2004, CAR COLLIDED AT LOW SPEED WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF IT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR, AS THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF MY CAR WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO TRAFFIC AND WAS DRIVING A VAN THAT COULD NOT BE SEEN AROUND, AND PROCEEDED TO LOCK HIS BRAKES TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. FAULTY ANTI-SKID VALVE CAUSED BACK WHEEL BRAKES TO BE INOPERABLE, ALLOWING NO FLUID THROUGH. BREAK LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKED FLUID ONCE THE VALVE HAD BEEN REPLACED. BRAKE CALIPERS WERE ALSO CEASED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MASTER CYLINDER AND BREAK BOOSTER ALSO FAULTY. PROBLEM IS NOW BETTER BUT AFTER APPROX $1500 PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RIGHT- CAR REFUSES TO STOP MOVING WHEN CAR HAD NOT BEEN RUN FOR A DAY OR MORE. IT MUST BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE CAR. PROBLEM GOES AWAY AFTER ENGINE WARMS UP. NO VACUUM LEAKS, PROPER VACUUM PRESSURE AT ALL TIMES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110426
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WIRE BROKE. ALSO, ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10052293
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE GOES INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10034445
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 40 MPH, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER PUMPING BRAKES. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINES WERE DETERIORATING AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. TWO MONTHS AFTER BRAKE LINE REPAIRS, CONSUMER NOTICED LEAK AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10032257
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE, PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE TIRES HAD BEEN SWITCHED, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKES WERE VERY NOISY. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WASN'T ABLE TO GO FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES AND THE …
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IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE, PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE TIRES HAD BEEN SWITCHED, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERABLE AND THE BRAKES WERE VERY NOISY. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WASN'T ABLE TO GO FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DRIVING CONDITION IS STILL INSUFFICIENT. *JG
NHTSA ODI #10002567
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKE LINES WORE AGAINST THE FIRE WALL MAKING A HOLE IN THE LINES,RESULTING IN LOST OF BRAKE FUEL.CAUSING BRAKES NOT TO HOLD WHEN APPLIED. MR
NHTSA ODI #8020814
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND AND WHEELS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8009765
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8005496
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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