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
184,568 miles · Mar 19, 2014
EngineSteeringSuspension
I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A BIG BANG CAR SLAMMED PAVEMENT BEGAN TO SWERVE. STARTED SMOKING OFF BURNED RUBBER TIRE POPPED AN CAR WAS BROKE DOWN WHEEL DANGLING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573609
111,000 miles · Sep 13, 2013
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA ODI #10543523
128,000 miles · Sep 23, 2011
SteeringStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ABNORMALLY TURN AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AND A DETACHMENT OF BOLTS IN THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ABNORMALLY TURN AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AND A DETACHMENT OF BOLTS IN THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10426962
138,000 miles · Dec 4, 2009
SteeringStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE FELL ON THE GROUND. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE AS THE PARTS BEGAN TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE FELL ON THE GROUND. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE AS THE PARTS BEGAN TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS ON THE REAR CORNER OF THE SUB FRAME FELL OFF AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $617 . HE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V323000, STRUCTURE, FRAME AND MEMBERS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138000. UPDATED 12/30/09. *LJ ALSO, THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 12/30/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10294548
60,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlVisibility
OUTER TIE RODS GONE BAD AT 80,000KM SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AT 60,000KM FRONT POWER WINDOWS GONE BAD AT 90,000KM I ONLY HAVE 96,000KM ON MY 1995 FORD TAURUS SE ITS NOW 2009. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277215
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2007
SteeringCrashInjury
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED LAST JULY. IN OCTOBER I NOTICED THAT WHEN I TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL IT TO GET IT STRAIGHT. I TOOK IT TO BE FIXED BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THEN. THREE DAYS AGO I TOOK MY KIDS OUT FOR ICE CREAM AND WE GOT…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED LAST JULY. IN OCTOBER I NOTICED THAT WHEN I TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL IT TO GET IT STRAIGHT. I TOOK IT TO BE FIXED BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THEN. THREE DAYS AGO I TOOK MY KIDS OUT FOR ICE CREAM AND WE GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS TIME THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED COMPLETELY, I COULD NOT MOVE IT AND WE SLAMMED INTO ANOTHER CAR. NOBODY BELIEVED ME, IT TOOK ALOT OF SEARCHING TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS THE BUSHINGS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. ALTHOUGH I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IT HAS GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10192319
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2003
Steering
THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009242
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING LEAKING. ALSO STATED THAT HAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THAT IS WHEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING LEAKING OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WONT FIXED THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR TH…
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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING LEAKING. ALSO STATED THAT HAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THAT IS WHEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING LEAKING OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WONT FIXED THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR THE WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE DIFFERENT ENGINES ON THE VEHICLE. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001413
24,165 miles · Oct 23, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR SCC
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.
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