NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
260 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 3, 1999
Power Train
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN 1997. THE SELLER HAD THE TRANSMISSION RE-BUILT A FEW MONTHS BEFORE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION RE-BUILT A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, AND RETURNED IT ABOUT THREE TIMES, AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE IS VERY HARD AND JOLTING DOWNSHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND--TRAVELING ABOUT 25-30 M…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN 1997. THE SELLER HAD THE TRANSMISSION RE-BUILT A FEW MONTHS BEFORE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION RE-BUILT A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, AND RETURNED IT ABOUT THREE TIMES, AGAIN TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE IS VERY HARD AND JOLTING DOWNSHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND--TRAVELING ABOUT 25-30 M.P.H. IN THIRD, SLOWING TO ABOUT 15 M.P.H., AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ALSO FREQUENTLY STICKS IN FIRST FROM A STOP, AND SLAMS INTO SECOND AT ABOUT 25 MPH. ALSO, SOMETIMES ON DOWNSHIFTS FROM THIRD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM 25-30 M.P.H., THE TRANSMISSION SKIPS TO FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY SLAMS INTO SECOND WITH THE ENGINE AT VERY HIGH R.P.M.'S. ALSO, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR SOMETIMES STARTS IN SECOND, EVEN WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "1" POSITION. I HAVE SINCE DRIVEN IN OTHER TAURUSES OF THAT OR SIMILAR YEARS, AND I HAVE YET TO SEE ONE WITH A GOOD TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #703967
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE WILL JERK/VIBRATE AND STALL AND DIE OUT. ALSO, WHEN SLOWING DOWN, VEHICLE WILL JUMP OUT GEAR, AND NOW VEHICLE WON'T MOVE AT ALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834902
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1999
Power TrainStructure
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 5/97. MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO LAY ON TRANSMISSION, WHICH ALSO WAS REPLACED. SECOND TIME, MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MOTOR MOUNTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834782
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL, AND COULD NOT BE PUT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #832233
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Power Train
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WIT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE ONLY HAS FIRST GEAR OR REVERSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831697
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED 3 TIMES AND THEN FINALLY REPLACED, ALL UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION LASTED ABOUT 70000 MILES, AND THEN HAS HAD THE SAME TYPES OF PROBLEMS, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE FRONT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNT BROKE SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUALLY THE TOP BOLT VIBRATES LOOSE. THE MOUNT HAS JUST BEEN REP…
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ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED 3 TIMES AND THEN FINALLY REPLACED, ALL UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION LASTED ABOUT 70000 MILES, AND THEN HAS HAD THE SAME TYPES OF PROBLEMS, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE FRONT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNT BROKE SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUALLY THE TOP BOLT VIBRATES LOOSE. THE MOUNT HAS JUST BEEN REPLACED AGAIN. THE FRONT WHEEL ROTORS CONTINUALLY GO BAD, AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED, ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT ONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702889
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING IN OVERDRIVE, IT WOULDN'T MOVE. THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833940
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AS WELL AS THE AXLES AS A DIRECT RESULT OF RECALL ON SUBFRAMES, CAUSING DIFFICULT STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #543436
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN LOCK UP.
NHTSA ODI #543396
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE YEARS AFTER IT WAS RECALLED. CONSUMER FELT THAT SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. CONSUMER WANTS FORD TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833511
Official recalls
4Dec 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.
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.
May 11, 1992
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
Aug 6, 1991
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
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
14SQ98008 · Audio System Fires
Opened May 4, 1998 · Closed May 8, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor
Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
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
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.
DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks
Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs
Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93065 · Underbody Fuel Line Fails
Opened Jul 15, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA91042 · Storage Compar Suffocation
Opened Oct 28, 1991 · Closed May 21, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
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DP91013 · ANTI-LOCK Brakes
Opened Sep 24, 1991 · Closed Jan 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
PE91108 · Storage Compar Suffocation
Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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