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 reports
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2001
Suspension
SPRING PUCTURED TIRE, NO GUARD. BOTH SPRINGS BROKE,ONE SNAPPED.FORD DEALER AND TIRE SHOPS AWARE OF "DEFECTIVE FORD SPRINGS". THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE A FATALITY IF FAILURE OCCURS WHILE MOVING. NO GUARDS ARE IN PLACE TO DEFLECT SPRING FROM PUNTURING TIRE. I WAS PARKED WHEN IT BROKE, AND IT PUT A 6 INCH GASH IN THE TOP OF THE TIRE.…
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SPRING PUCTURED TIRE, NO GUARD. BOTH SPRINGS BROKE,ONE SNAPPED.FORD DEALER AND TIRE SHOPS AWARE OF "DEFECTIVE FORD SPRINGS". THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE A FATALITY IF FAILURE OCCURS WHILE MOVING. NO GUARDS ARE IN PLACE TO DEFLECT SPRING FROM PUNTURING TIRE. I WAS PARKED WHEN IT BROKE, AND IT PUT A 6 INCH GASH IN THE TOP OF THE TIRE. (RIGHT SPRING BROKE). WHEN EXAMINED, LEFT SPRING WAS BROKEN, BUT HAD NOT SNAPPED YET. FRIENDS HAVE FORDS WITH LESS THAN 50000 MILES WITH BROKEN SPRINGS. REPLACMENTS HARD TO GET BECAUSE OF DEMAND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745624
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE SHORT BLOCK WAS REPLACED 2/23/98 , UNDER RECALL FOR GASKET PROBLEM THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM . MILEAGE 30577 . ON APP. 4/7/00 A COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALED . THIS INSTALLATION COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM AS THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINOUSLY LOOSE WATER FROM THE COOLINGN SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS TRIDE MANY THINGS TO FIX TH…
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THE SHORT BLOCK WAS REPLACED 2/23/98 , UNDER RECALL FOR GASKET PROBLEM THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM . MILEAGE 30577 . ON APP. 4/7/00 A COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALED . THIS INSTALLATION COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM AS THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINOUSLY LOOSE WATER FROM THE COOLINGN SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS TRIDE MANY THINGS TO FIX THE PROBLEM SOME OF THEM FROM REPAIR BULLETINS AND OTHERS SUGGESETED BY REP. . I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES BOTH DOCUMENTED AND SOME NOT DOCUMENTED. THE FINAL ANSWER I RECEIVED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND FORD COULD NOT SOPPORT FUTHER ASSISTANCE. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT ONCE A CAR WAS OUT OF WARENTY FORD WAS NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR TRYING TO FIX AN EXTENDE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD NOT FIXED IT DURING THE WARENTY PERIOD. THEY SAID THIS WAS A PROBLEM PECULAR TO THIS VEHICLE AND THERFORE THEY HAD DID ALL THEY COULD. BY THE WAY THE COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARENTY AND SUPOSUDLY HAD A 12 THOUSAND MILE WARENTY. I FEEL I AM STUCK WITH A BAD SITUATION. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.7*AK
NHTSA ODI #745576
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2001
Power Train
VEHICLE JUMPED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE TWICE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888387
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2001
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER STATES AS SHE WAS ENTERING PARKING LOT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK RESULTING IN VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED, THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL, 97V025. *JB
NHTSA ODI #561161
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. BRAKES MAKE A NOISE LIKE GRINDING METAL AGAINST METAL.
NHTSA ODI #9002437
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887004
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, GAS PEDAL JUST FELL TO FLOOR. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, NO REACTION, ENGINE KEPT GOING. AT 90 MPH CONSUMER PULLED KEY OUT OF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. CONSUMER AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #886728
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MINUTES-1 HOUR IN HOT WEATHER WHEN VEHICLE STALLED OUT. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF STALLING.*AK ENGINE HAS STALLED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES IN HOT OR COLD WEATHER, DEALER STILL CAN NOT DUPLICATE OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING PROPERLY. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #885816
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2001
Power Train
AT 22000 MILES FORD DEALER REPLACED FAILED SPEEDOMETER DUE TO NEEDLE BOUNCING. THE REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER READS 28000 MILES AND IT HAS FAILED. THE NEEDLE JUMPS FROM 40 TO 85 MILES PER HOUR AT TIMES IT READS 45 MILES PER HOUR AND I THINK I AM GOING FASTER THAN 45 A- LOT FASTER. I HAVE CONTACED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD…
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AT 22000 MILES FORD DEALER REPLACED FAILED SPEEDOMETER DUE TO NEEDLE BOUNCING. THE REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER READS 28000 MILES AND IT HAS FAILED. THE NEEDLE JUMPS FROM 40 TO 85 MILES PER HOUR AT TIMES IT READS 45 MILES PER HOUR AND I THINK I AM GOING FASTER THAN 45 A- LOT FASTER. I HAVE CONTACED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE ANOTHER SPEEDO INSTALLED. THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM AND THEY DO NOT THINK THEY HAVE ANY PROBLEM. YOUR SITE LISTS MANY WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #743897
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Structure
CONSUMER HAD FOUND CRACKS ON HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER WHICH HAD HAD CAUSED DOOR TO MISALIGN, AND COULD BE DISATTACHED FROM VEHICLE.*AK
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
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