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 · Sep 5, 2000
Electrical System
AFTER DRIVING FOR 1.5 HRS DURING A 86 DEGREE DAY, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED IN THE "NORMAL" RANGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED AT THE TIME, BUT A YEAR LATER, THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE SAME TIME HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR STOPPED AFT…
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AFTER DRIVING FOR 1.5 HRS DURING A 86 DEGREE DAY, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED IN THE "NORMAL" RANGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED AT THE TIME, BUT A YEAR LATER, THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE SAME TIME HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR STOPPED AFTER A 1.5 HOUR DRIVE, AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN, UNTIL SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
NHTSA ODI #730246
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2000
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED TWICE. REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND FAILURE NOT HONORED BY DEALER. AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40-45 SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE SWINGS WILDLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO JUDGE SPEED ACCURATELY. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THREAD WITH 1995 TAURUS OWNERS. PERHAPS WE HAVE A RECALL SITUATION HERE!
NHTSA ODI #730012
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON WHEN THE THERMOSTAT GUAGE WENT TO HOT FROM NEUTRAL, THEN THE CAR OVERHEATED AND STALLED THE ENGINE AT ABOUT 55 MPH. SMOKE AND STEAM POURED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. ONE COULDN'T START THE ENGINE AGAIN UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN.
NHTSA ODI #729756
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Power Train
THE ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WAS REPLACED, WITH ABOUT 21000 MILES ON THE REPLACEMENT SPEEDOMETER IT BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN. NLM
NHTSA ODI #554209
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
STALLING IN HOT WEATHER
NHTSA ODI #729563
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD THE HEAD GASKETS TO BLOW ON THIS VEHICLE 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS UNDER A FORD RECALL FOR WHICH THEY GAVE ME 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. BUT THEN I BEGAN TO HAVE SMALL PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR DID NOT RUN RIGHT, TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR.…
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I HAD THE HEAD GASKETS TO BLOW ON THIS VEHICLE 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS UNDER A FORD RECALL FOR WHICH THEY GAVE ME 100,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY. BUT THEN I BEGAN TO HAVE SMALL PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR DID NOT RUN RIGHT, TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. TAKE IT BACK THE VERY NEXT DAY AND THEY TELL ME I HAVE A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX THIS UNDER THE SAME WARRANTY THE HEAD GASKETS BUT I THINK IT IS ALL RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM, 'BLOWN HEAD GASKETS' I HAVE LOOKED ON THE NET AND I AM NOT THE NOLY PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO . ALL KINDS OF REPORTS OF MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL CONSIDERATION BY FORD.
NHTSA ODI #729491
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLED WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE WILL SHUTDOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLS SEVERAL TIMES DUE TI SENSOR AND SPARK PLUGS FAILURE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #868283
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN IN HALF, AND SHARP EDGE SLICED THE TIRE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE COIL SPRING AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #868209
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE ALMOST EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 97S66, EXCEPT THE FAN WASN'T STOPPED BY SNOW. LUCKILY WHEN WE SMELLED THE SMOKE WE STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION THAT AFFECTS ALL 1995 TAURUS OWNERS. WHEN I CALLED FORD TO REPORT THE …
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THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE ALMOST EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 97S66, EXCEPT THE FAN WASN'T STOPPED BY SNOW. LUCKILY WHEN WE SMELLED THE SMOKE WE STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL SITUATION THAT AFFECTS ALL 1995 TAURUS OWNERS. WHEN I CALLED FORD TO REPORT THE PROBLEM THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF SAYING THAT MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RANGE OF VINS FOR THAT RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #728447
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 93000MILES, ENGINE WAS OKAY AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE WAS SHAKING WHEN SHE TURNED HER VEHICLE ON. DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THE MILEAGE EXCEEDS .*AK THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AGAIN AFTER BEING REPLACED. *YH
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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