NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
69 reportsClear category filter105,000 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING HIM TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME HAD…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING HIM TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME HAD CORRODED CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
NHTSA ODI #10369643
113,000 miles · Jan 8, 2008
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SUBFRAME OF THE REAR CORNERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK AND NEARLY RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) IN 1999. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SUBFRAME OF THE REAR CORNERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK AND NEARLY RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) IN 1999. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #10214209
157,815 miles · Nov 20, 2007
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED TO THE LEFT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000) AND REFERRED HIM TO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED TO THE LEFT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000) AND REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE RECALL. AS OF NOVEMBER 20, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,815.
NHTSA ODI #10209515
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2006
Structure
SUBFRAME WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT WHILE DIVING. STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. CAR WAS PULLED OFF ROAD WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. RECALL ITEMS WHICH WERE REPLACED IN 1999 HAD FAILED AGAIN. FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECOND FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10148841
143,145 miles · Jul 16, 2004
Structure
IN JULY OF 2000 I HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON MY CAR, A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SUB FRAME. THE RECALL WAS TSB #98S36. ON JULY 15, 2004 I EXPERIENCED THAT MAJOR FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SUB FRAME, LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS LOSS OF CONTROL WAS DUE TO THE SUBFRAME PLA…
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IN JULY OF 2000 I HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON MY CAR, A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SUB FRAME. THE RECALL WAS TSB #98S36. ON JULY 15, 2004 I EXPERIENCED THAT MAJOR FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SUB FRAME, LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS LOSS OF CONTROL WAS DUE TO THE SUBFRAME PLATE CORROSION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PREVENTED BY THE RECALL 98S36. I GOT THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER (GREENWAY FORD, ORLANDO FL.). THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN DONE ONCE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO RESULTS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A RECALL FOR A CORRODING PLATE SHOULD BE A ONE TIME PERMANET FIX. IF RECALL WORK CANNOT BE DONE TWICE, THEN A SECOND RECALL IS IN ORDER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081213
186,000 miles · Jul 15, 2004
Structure
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS SITTING SIDEWAYS. A MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS DAMAGED.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10075498
192,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Structure
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUBFRAME CORROSION. ALSO, THE BOLT THAT ATTACHED THE MOUNT TO THE SUBFRAME WAS MISSING. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073678
190,000 miles · Apr 19, 2004
Structure
WHILE DRIVING FRAMES SEPARATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067401
118,000 miles · Dec 17, 2003
Structure
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, AND TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT LEFT SIDE FRAME WHERE THE COIL SPRING WAS LOCATED CRACKED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051666
15,000 miles · Oct 30, 2002
Structure
CONSUMER HAD A RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO ON THE UNIBODY BOLTS AND WASHERS, AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED UNDER THE RECALL THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO TS.*JB CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE …
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CONSUMER HAD A RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO ON THE UNIBODY BOLTS AND WASHERS, AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN FIXED UNDER THE RECALL THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO TS.*JB CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE IMPROPERLY. THERE WAS ALSO SOME DETERIORATION OF THE SUBFRAME. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8021896
Official recalls
6Dec 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.
May 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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.
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.
Jan 4, 1993
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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
13RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA99023 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 6, 1999 · Closed Jun 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ODI has received 50 additional complaiints on MY 1993 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles alleging malfunction of the windshield wiper system including; intermittent or complete stoppage of wiper sweeping; inadequate sweep speed; and other general complaints of poor performace.In some cases, the owner alleges havingto leave the roadway or roll down the window and manually restart the sweeping motion of the wiper arms.Other complaints allege that the wiper sweeps too slowly at the maximum speed setting resulting in inadequate vision during heavy precipition.Some complaints allge repeated wiper system malfunctions despirt having their vehicles serviced at Ford dealerships of replacement of the multi-function switch and/or wiper motor.Ford provided its response to an Information Request Letter indicating that the same wiper motor is used on the MY 1987-1993 Taurus and Sable; however, warranty and complaint data show that the MY 1993 is over represented and may warrant particular attention.An Engineering Ananlysis is necessary to determine if a potential safety defect exists.
PE99015 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 24, 1999 · Closed Aug 6, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING
EA97026 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1997 · Closed May 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
PE97035 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Nov 26, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Front Suspension coil springs may fracture with the vehicle in motion, posing a potential compromise to the driver's ability to control the vehicle.
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.
PE96018 · Headlights Failure
Opened Mar 5, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
There is no summary currently available
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
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
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