NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsClear category filter103,000 miles · Mar 17, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUBFRAME ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME DROPPED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $1,000. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUBFRAME ON THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT AN AUTO SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME DROPPED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $1,000. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) WAS REFERENCED. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILED TWO MONTHS AGO, AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE REPAIR COST WAS $400. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V019000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STRUTS ON HIS VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 943036000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: SHOCK ABSORBER) WAS REFERENCED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $300. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT, AND THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1,500. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10221438
107,000 miles · Jan 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215920
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CONTACT STATED FORD HAD A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A LIMITATION ON THIS RECALL, SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED ON OCTOBER 19, 2005 HE NOTICED WATER COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE DETERMINED THE H…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED FORD HAD A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS. THERE WAS A LIMITATION ON THIS RECALL, SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED ON OCTOBER 19, 2005 HE NOTICED WATER COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LEAKED COOLANT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE DETERMINED THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10140459
9,524 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE DYING. THE ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, AND THE NEW ENGINE ALSO BLEW OUT AT 97,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING A FLUCTUATION IN TEMPERATURE. THEN , FORD WAS CONTACTED, AND FORD SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10126672
47,502 miles · Aug 19, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING AND HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE SAME PROBLEM EMERGED AGAIN, LESS THAN FOUR YEARS SINCE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. *AK THE VEHICLE CONTINUED LOSING ANTIFREEZE. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10083599
85,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10065418
129,000 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
1994 FORD TAURUS 3.8 L ...HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 69,000 MILES, WARRANTY RECALL AND ENGINE REPLACED APPROX JUNE 2000. NOW AT 130,000 MILES, 60,000 MILES AND 3-1/2 YEARS ON THE NEW ENGINE, I AGAIN HAVE A CRACKED HG, THIS TIME WITH COMBUSTION GASES IN THE COOLANT. FORD TELLS ME THE NEW ENGINE HAD A 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY…
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1994 FORD TAURUS 3.8 L ...HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 69,000 MILES, WARRANTY RECALL AND ENGINE REPLACED APPROX JUNE 2000. NOW AT 130,000 MILES, 60,000 MILES AND 3-1/2 YEARS ON THE NEW ENGINE, I AGAIN HAVE A CRACKED HG, THIS TIME WITH COMBUSTION GASES IN THE COOLANT. FORD TELLS ME THE NEW ENGINE HAD A 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY JUST LIKE ALL FORD PARTS. BUT THIS IS NOT A STARTER OR ALTERNATOR, THIS IS THE ENTIRE ENGINE, THE BULK OF THE VALUE OF THE CAR. I CAN'T BE SURE IF THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE HAD THE NEW IMPROVED GASKET AND LONGER BOLTS, OR IF IT WAS OFF THE SHELF 3.8 WITH ADMITTEDLY FAULTY GASKET. GASES FORCE COOLANT OUT THE OVERFLOW. THE CAR OVERHEATS VERY RAPIDLY, THE NEEDLE CAN MOVE FROM "NORMAL" TO RED LINE IN 10 SECONDS AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. I SPEND MORE TIME LOOKING AT THE TEMP GAUGE THAN THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME, AND OFTEN I HAVE TO PULL OVER WITH VERY LITTLE NOTICE, ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I THINK YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MORE THAN 60,000 MILES AND 3-1/2 YEARS ON A FORD MOTOR COMPANY ENGINE. I CAN'T EVEN SELL OR TRADE THIS CAR IN, IT'S VALUE HAS DROPPED TO NOTHING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10062415
300,000 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT 30,000 MILE'S, AND ONCE AGAIN IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, VEHICLE REACHED HIGH TEMPERATURES DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. *AK *MR
NHTSA ODI #10053831
85,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
MILAGE: 136000KM PROBLEM: BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SUCH AS SLIPPING/GRINDING FROM A STOP OR ACCELLERATING AFTER ROUNDING A CORNER. ESTIMATED COST: $4000.00
NHTSA ODI #10071357
72,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
PROBLEM IS THAT 18 MONTHS AND 38000 KILOMETERS LATER THE HEAD GASKET HAS GONE AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10071273
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.
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.
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.
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