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 · Jan 9, 2001
Power Train
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY TAURUS JUMPS AROUN ONCE I HIT ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I AM TRAVELLING DOWN THE FREEWAY. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER HAS A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH HAS FAILED FOR MANY MORE PEOPLE THAN I. I F…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY TAURUS JUMPS AROUN ONCE I HIT ABOUT 50 MPH. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I AM TRAVELLING DOWN THE FREEWAY. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT COST TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER HAS A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH HAS FAILED FOR MANY MORE PEOPLE THAN I. I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WHILE SEARCHING THE INTERNET.
NHTSA ODI #739079
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, IT STARTS TO RATTLE RIGHT BEFORE STOPPING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER SAID THEY NEED TO DO A COMPLETE CHECK ON VEHICLE. * AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #877493
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2001
Electrical System
ENGINE STALLS AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING SOMETIMES REQUIRING WAIT BESIDE THE ROAD BEFORE RESTARTING. IN NOVEMBER THE DEALER SAID FORD WOULD NOT HAVE REPLACMENT PARTS UNTIL JANUARY NOW THEY ARE NOT SHIPPING UNTIL FEBRUARY. REPLACED IGNITION MODULE WITH A USED PART IN DECEMBER. CAR CONTINUES TO STALL IN TRAFFIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738788
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
SteeringUnknown Or Other
THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, ONCE ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND 2 TIMES AT MY EXPENSE. ALL FOUR TIMES USED FORD REPLACEMENT PARTS AND THE 1ST 3 REPAIRS USED FORD MECHANICS. AS THE CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YRS OLD AND UNDER 89000 MILES, IT SEEMS EXTRAORDINARY THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING THE SPE…
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THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, ONCE ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND 2 TIMES AT MY EXPENSE. ALL FOUR TIMES USED FORD REPLACEMENT PARTS AND THE 1ST 3 REPAIRS USED FORD MECHANICS. AS THE CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YRS OLD AND UNDER 89000 MILES, IT SEEMS EXTRAORDINARY THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE REPLACING THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD EVERY 12 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THE FORD DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAYS, THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. WE WILL REPLACE IT IF YOU WILL PAY ALL COSTS. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS NOTMAL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS EXTREMELY LOUD. FORD DEALER SAYS YES, IS LOUD, WORKS FIND. THEY WILL EPLACE AT MY EXPENSE AND IT " WILL BE QUIET FOR A WHILE" THAT IS THE NATURE OF A TAURUS...I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS ACCURATE OR ACCEPTABLE
NHTSA ODI #738709
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES OFF AND ON. *YH
NHTSA ODI #563891
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE WERE NOT GETTING ANY HEAT IN THE CAR. WE ASSUMED IT WAS A MINOR PROBLEM AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE HEAT GASKETS WE BAD. WE TURNED IT INTO OUR WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY APPROVED REPAIRS. WE PUT OUT OF POCKET $500.00. WE GOT THE CAR BACK 12/22/00 AND STARTED HAVING ENGINE FAILURE RIGHT AWAY. WE BROUGH…
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WE WERE NOT GETTING ANY HEAT IN THE CAR. WE ASSUMED IT WAS A MINOR PROBLEM AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE HEAT GASKETS WE BAD. WE TURNED IT INTO OUR WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY APPROVED REPAIRS. WE PUT OUT OF POCKET $500.00. WE GOT THE CAR BACK 12/22/00 AND STARTED HAVING ENGINE FAILURE RIGHT AWAY. WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND WERE TOLD THE SMALL BLOCK WAS BAD. NOW THE WARRANTY COMPANY SAYS THE ORIGINAL REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY A FORD RECALL THAT WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. FORD SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. WHAT NOW. WE ARE OUT $500.00 AND NO CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738356
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2000
Air BagsFire
VEHICLE RAN OFF ROAD DUE TO ICE CONDITION, CAUSING BOTH AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY WITH FLAMES SHOOTING OUT ON BOTH SIDES. WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH FIRE BEFORE IT BECAME SEVERE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PORIVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876888
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2000
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING 40 - 50 MPH, VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHECLE, AND WAS ALSO HIT FROM REAR. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876806
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2000
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #785127
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2000
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.SPEEDOMETER JUMPS TO VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DOES NOT RECORD THE CORRECT SPEED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY OTHER FORD OWNERS AS REFLECTED IN THE DATABASE OF COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATIO…
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SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES.SPEEDOMETER JUMPS TO VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DOES NOT RECORD THE CORRECT SPEED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY OTHER FORD OWNERS AS REFLECTED IN THE DATABASE OF COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS DRIVERS OF FORDS WITH THIS PROBLEM HAVE NO IDEA ON HOW FAST THEY ARE DRIVING. PLEASE ADVISE HOW YOU WILL REQUIRE FORD TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE REFLECTS THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM. DUE TO THE COSTLY NATURE OF REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM AND NOT HAVING ANY ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL FINALLY BE CORRECTED PROPERLY, I AM ASKING FOR YOUR AGENCYS INTERVENTION TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM HAVE NOT BEEN POSITIVE. *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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