IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MY WIFE LOST POWER AND OBSERVED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE REAR EXHAUST PIPE. LATER A MECHANIC AT LITHIA FORD DETERMINED THAT THE CAR BLEW A HEAD GASKET. WE CONTACT FORD BUT THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY.*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 reportsFRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND SMALL CRACKS. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98I00200. *AK FRONT COIL SPRING HAS NO SAFETY SHIELD ON BOTTOM TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO TIRE. *YH
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AND ENGINE LOCK UP. VEHICLE TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REPAIRS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
THIS CAR HAD A HEADGASKET FAILURE IN APRIL 2000. IT WAS REPAIRED AT BERGLUND FORD IN SALEM VIRGINIA. BERGLUND DETERMINED THE HEADGASKET FAILURE CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO CONTAMINATE ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS. WHEN THEY TORE DOWN THE ENGINE THEY FOUND ANTIFREEZE IN EVERY COMPARTMENT OF THE ENGINE. THEY CHANGED ALL GASKETS, REPLACED A…
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THIS CAR HAD A HEADGASKET FAILURE IN APRIL 2000. IT WAS REPAIRED AT BERGLUND FORD IN SALEM VIRGINIA. BERGLUND DETERMINED THE HEADGASKET FAILURE CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO CONTAMINATE ALL ENGINE COMPONENTS. WHEN THEY TORE DOWN THE ENGINE THEY FOUND ANTIFREEZE IN EVERY COMPARTMENT OF THE ENGINE. THEY CHANGED ALL GASKETS, REPLACED ALL FLUIDS, DID A CHANGE OF SPARK PLUGS AND CHANGED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THEY CHARGED ME OVER $388. TO REPLACE GASKETS THEY SAID NEEDED REPLACED BUT WEREN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY RECALL. I PAID THIS TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED HOPEFULLY CORRECTLY. NO OTHER OPTION WAS GIVEN TO ME EVEN THOUGH I FELT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE. NOT 5 MONTH LATER I SUFFERED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER ONLY DRIVING AN ADDITIONAL 3,OOO MILES. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED WHICH COST ME ANOTHER $1OO. HUFF FORD, INC IN WYTHEVILLE, VA REPLACED MY ENGINE WITH A RE-BUILT ENGINE UNDER WARRANTY. MY CAR IS STILL NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED SOMEHOW THEY DAMAGED MY STEERING SYSTEM. THE CAR NOW DRIFTS SOMEWHAT IN THE MIDDLE STEERING RANGE SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER BERGLUND FORD AS WELL AS HUFF FORD WHERE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM ANY OF THEM ABOUT ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BERGLUND FORD ON 10/04/00 TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM. FORD ALSO TOLD ME VERBALLY I HAVE A 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE REPLACED ENGINE BUT I CAN NOT GET THEM TO GIVE THIS WARRANTY TO ME IN WRITING EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ASKED FOR IT THREE TIMES. CAN YOU HELP WITH ANY OF THIS? ESPECIALLY REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS I HAVE HAD TO PUT OUT BECAUSE FORD DID NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE CORRECTLY YO BEGIN WITH. THANK YOU.
ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AIR BAG IS STARTING TO CRACK OPEN. FEAR OF IT OPENING UP WHEN IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO. CAR IS GARAGED MOST OF THE TIME.. IT STARTED ON A HOT DAY WHEN I WAS AT THE KIDS SCHOOL, WHEN I CAME OUT I GOT INTO THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THEN HEARD THE CRACKING NOISE.. LOOKED AT DASH AND IT STARTE…
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ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AIR BAG IS STARTING TO CRACK OPEN. FEAR OF IT OPENING UP WHEN IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO. CAR IS GARAGED MOST OF THE TIME.. IT STARTED ON A HOT DAY WHEN I WAS AT THE KIDS SCHOOL, WHEN I CAME OUT I GOT INTO THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THEN HEARD THE CRACKING NOISE.. LOOKED AT DASH AND IT STARTED TO OPEN.. I KNOW IT SHOULD NOT DO THAT.. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT FIXED BY FORDS EXPENSE.. DEFECT IN DASH SOME WHERE. NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.. THANK YOU-. *AK
THE DEALER HAS PUT IN TWO ENGINE AND I NOW HAVE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. THIS ENGINE IS NOT FIT FOR ANY CAR I PUT HARD EARN MONEY INTO THIS CAR WHICH IS JUNK .
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS GETTING ON TO THE HIGHYWAY. IT GOT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND HAD TO BE TOWED. CALLED MANY SHOPS TO GET QUOTES ON REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, ALL COMPLAINING ABOUT TAURUS' BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 92 & 95 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE PROBLEM WAS MECHANICAL AND NOT THE FAULT OF TH…
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THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS GETTING ON TO THE HIGHYWAY. IT GOT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND HAD TO BE TOWED. CALLED MANY SHOPS TO GET QUOTES ON REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, ALL COMPLAINING ABOUT TAURUS' BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 92 & 95 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE PROBLEM WAS MECHANICAL AND NOT THE FAULT OF THE OWNER. CONTACTED FORD CO. TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AND THEY DENIED MY CLAIM TWICE. IF SO MANY OF THESE CARS HAVE THE SAME TRANS. PROBLEM SHOULDN'T THEY BE RECALLED? I THINK FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTIVE TRANS. THEY MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED.
WHEN DRIVING IN HOT EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALR UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK
TO DATE, FORD MAINTAINS THIS ENGINE IS NOT COVERED BY "SECRET WARRANTY" ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE 3.8L. PERSISTENT PROBLEM OF LEAKING COOLANT. TRANSMISSION IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. A/C CLUTCH, COMPRESSOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. REPLACED HEATER HOSE FOLLOWING A/C REPAIR DUE TO CONTINUED LEAK.
RECALL ON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ,FOUND OUT FROM SOMEONE ELSE NOTICE , NEVER RECEVIED ONE .*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.