IllustrationWHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH, CONSUMER NOTICED SPEEDOMETER WOULD JUMP TO 90 MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRED FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM RETURNS. VEHICLE IS AT DEALER'S . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*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
What owners actually said
1,205 reportsVEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE PARKING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL OR WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. ENGINE REVVS, BUT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT KICK IN. THEN, SUDDENLY VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON SIDE STREETAND GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. GAS PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. SHE HAD CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT GUARDRAIL. CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET. GASKET IS LEAKING OIL ONTO ENGINE. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET.*AK
BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF FAILURES BEING REPORTED, FORD SHOULD HAVE PERFORMED A RECALL AND REPAIRED ALL THESE DEFECTIVE 3.8 LITER ENGINES. I BARELY WENT PAST THE MILEAGE ESTABLISHED BY THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AND WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION. I AM NOT A SATISFIED FORD CUSTOMER!. *AK
THIS AFTERNOON I WAS IN MY 1995 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE ACCELERATOR LOCKED AND THE THE CAR SPED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT DANGEROUS SPEEDS. AFTER DETERMINING THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW THE CAR I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER SWITCHING INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIM…
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THIS AFTERNOON I WAS IN MY 1995 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE ACCELERATOR LOCKED AND THE THE CAR SPED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT DANGEROUS SPEEDS. AFTER DETERMINING THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW THE CAR I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER SWITCHING INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. LAST NOVEMBER WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL HOWEVER THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM.
SPEEDOMETER FAILED TWICE IN FOUR YEARS. THE NEEDLE SWINGS WILDLY BACK AND FORTH, ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 45 MPH. THE ORIGINAL UNIT FAILED AT 35,000 MILES (26 MONTHS). A NEW UNIT WAS INSTALLED IN JANUARY, 1998 (43,000 MILES). IT TOO FAILED APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTHS LATER. NOW I NEED A THIRD SPEEDOMETER. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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SPEEDOMETER FAILED TWICE IN FOUR YEARS. THE NEEDLE SWINGS WILDLY BACK AND FORTH, ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 45 MPH. THE ORIGINAL UNIT FAILED AT 35,000 MILES (26 MONTHS). A NEW UNIT WAS INSTALLED IN JANUARY, 1998 (43,000 MILES). IT TOO FAILED APPROXIMATELY 24 MONTHS LATER. NOW I NEED A THIRD SPEEDOMETER. THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY IS FOR TWELVE MONTHS. FORD TELLS ME THAT THE SPEEDO UNIT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. IT MUST BE REPLACED WITH A BRAND NEW UNIT AT A COST OF NEARLY $700 ($500 FOR THE PART, $126 FOR LABOR, PLUS 6% STATE SALES TAX). I CANNOT SPEND $700 KNOWING THAT THIS PART WILL LIKELY FAIL IN TWO YEARS. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL, OR PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. SPEEDOMETERS SHOULD NOT BREAK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. BY NOT KNOWING THE SPEED AT WHICH I AM TRAVELING, I AM PUTTING MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK. IN ADDITION, THIS IS A DRIVER DISTRACTION BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS CONSTANTLY PREOCCUPIED WITH TRYING TO DETERMINE HIS SPEED. THIS ALSO PUTS LIVES AT RISK SIMILAR TO TALKING ON CELL PHONES AND PLAYING WITH THE RADIO. THIS IS IN NO WAY AN ISSUE WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY ALWAYS PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *AK
THIS FORD TAURUS WAS PURCHASED FROM FATHER-IN-LAW, TOM JOHRE, NOW DECEASED - FROM HIS ESTATE. THE SPEEDOMETER SYSTEM HAD FAILED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. HOW CAN FORD SAY THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, WHEN EACH TIME I ATTEMPT TO UTILIZE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE WAVERING SPEEDOMETER WILL CAUSE THE CRUISE TO SET AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS? THI…
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THIS FORD TAURUS WAS PURCHASED FROM FATHER-IN-LAW, TOM JOHRE, NOW DECEASED - FROM HIS ESTATE. THE SPEEDOMETER SYSTEM HAD FAILED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. HOW CAN FORD SAY THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, WHEN EACH TIME I ATTEMPT TO UTILIZE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE WAVERING SPEEDOMETER WILL CAUSE THE CRUISE TO SET AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS? THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. WE KNOW OF OTHER TAURUS CAR OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM - ONE, DON ACKERMAN OF EDMONTON, HAD TO HAVE HIS SPEEDOMETER CHANGED THREE TIMES WHILE STILL ON WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE; IT IS A MATTER OF DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING, AND WARRANTS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD.*AK
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. WAS REBUILT - TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS CRUMBLING. *AK
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.