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 · Apr 10, 1999
SteeringVisibility
PROBLEM WITH STEERING WAS A REAL ISSUE, AFTER 3 PUMPS, DLR REPLACED RACK & PUMP, FIXED PROBLEM. WIPER ISSUE IS INFREQUENT, BUT SCARY; WHEN IN INTERMITTANT MODE, THE WIPERS SOMETIMES STOP WIPING UNTIL I ROTATE THE 'WIPING SPEED KNOB' A FEW TIMES TO OFF & MAX. ALSO SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT GO DOWN AFTER I SHUT THE WIPERS OFF, TH…
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PROBLEM WITH STEERING WAS A REAL ISSUE, AFTER 3 PUMPS, DLR REPLACED RACK & PUMP, FIXED PROBLEM. WIPER ISSUE IS INFREQUENT, BUT SCARY; WHEN IN INTERMITTANT MODE, THE WIPERS SOMETIMES STOP WIPING UNTIL I ROTATE THE 'WIPING SPEED KNOB' A FEW TIMES TO OFF & MAX. ALSO SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT GO DOWN AFTER I SHUT THE WIPERS OFF, THEY WILL STAY IN THE 'WIPERS ON, BUT NOT WIPING' POSITION ABOUT 3 INCHES ABOVE THE NORMAL SPOT UNTIL THE CAR DRIES OUT. THEN, AS I AM TRAVELLING DOWN THE ROAD, THEY WILL GO DOWN FULLY.
NHTSA ODI #705503
Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT A PARKED CAR.
NHTSA ODI #544824
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1999
Steering
WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER WILL JUMP AROUND AND YOU DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705207
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 1999
Power Train
THIS TAURUS'S ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED @ 35,029 MILES DUE TO THE NEEDLE BOUNCING UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WAS NO WAY TO TELL HOW FAST YOU WERE GOING. NOW THE SECOND SPEEDOMETER IS DOING THE SAME THING, AND IT BEGAN TO DO IT AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES. MY LOCAL DEALER HAS DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM. GRAH…
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THIS TAURUS'S ORIGINAL SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED @ 35,029 MILES DUE TO THE NEEDLE BOUNCING UNCONTROLLABLY. THERE WAS NO WAY TO TELL HOW FAST YOU WERE GOING. NOW THE SECOND SPEEDOMETER IS DOING THE SAME THING, AND IT BEGAN TO DO IT AT ABOUT 35,000 MILES. MY LOCAL DEALER HAS DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM. GRAHAM, AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DETROIT, DENIED ANY MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MY LOCAL INDEPENDENT GARAGE, HART'S AUTO REPAIR, PROVIDED ME WITH ARTICLE # 97-12-5 STATING THAT FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE 1994-95 CARS HAD SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAVER AND STICKING PROBLEMS. APPLICABLE TO THIS WERE OASIS CODES #204000, #204200, AND #302000. I WANT A NEW SPEEDOMETER WITH ACTUAL MILEAGE DISPLAYED! THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE! *AK
NHTSA ODI #705169
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 1999
StructureVisibility
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED, REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #544741
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1999
Electrical System
CONSUMER BELIEVES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE POSSIBLY DUE TO THE #4 FUSE COMING FROM FACTORY W/20 AMPS WHEN MANUAL STATES 15 AMPS. THIS FUSE HAS BLOWN 8 TIMES,IT CONTROLS SEVERAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE DASH/REAR TAIL LIGHTS WHICH HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS WHICH HAVE BEEN R…
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CONSUMER BELIEVES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE POSSIBLY DUE TO THE #4 FUSE COMING FROM FACTORY W/20 AMPS WHEN MANUAL STATES 15 AMPS. THIS FUSE HAS BLOWN 8 TIMES,IT CONTROLS SEVERAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE DASH/REAR TAIL LIGHTS WHICH HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES. OTHER ELECTRICAL REPAIRS INCLUDE 3 TRIP INDICATORS AND 1 SPEEDOMETER.
NHTSA ODI #544611
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1999
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER REPLACED TWICE DUE TO ERRACTIC PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA ODI #544607
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836061
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Visibility
WINDSHIELDWIPERS WON'T WORK ON ALL SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES QUIT, DOESN'T ALWAYS PARK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #704801
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER VERY ERRATIC. FROM 40 MPH AND HIGHER, WOULD BOUNCE BETWEEN 40 AND 85. DID NOT KNOW WHAT SPEED I WAS DRIVING. WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS ALRIGHT FOR 15 MONTHS. ACTED UP AGAIN IN DEC. 1997, SAMETHING. FORD REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING ON B…
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SPEEDOMETER VERY ERRATIC. FROM 40 MPH AND HIGHER, WOULD BOUNCE BETWEEN 40 AND 85. DID NOT KNOW WHAT SPEED I WAS DRIVING. WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS ALRIGHT FOR 15 MONTHS. ACTED UP AGAIN IN DEC. 1997, SAMETHING. FORD REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING ON BELTWAYS AND OPEN ROAD. *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.
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