HEADLIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER TOOK HEADLIGHT SWITCH A PART, AND DICOVERED THAT WIRES INSIDE OF BRACKET WERE MELTED . ALSO, MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK
1994 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 67 of 923 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 289 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 269 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsCONSUMER TOOK IN VEHICLE FOR A ROUTINE CHECK, AND MECHANIC NOTICED RADIATOR LEAKING, AND CRUISE CONTROL BEING OUT. *AK
I HAD HEADGASKET FIXED AT 87500 MI. WHICH WAS IN 12/98. NOW I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NO WAY TO GET IT FIXED. *AK
I INITIALLY HAD PROBLEMS W/ THE HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED AND IT TOOK TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER 2 MONTHS OF WAITING WITHOUT A VEHICLE THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, UPON GETTING THE CAR BACK I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PR…
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I INITIALLY HAD PROBLEMS W/ THE HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED AND IT TOOK TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY AFTER 2 MONTHS OF WAITING WITHOUT A VEHICLE THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, UPON GETTING THE CAR BACK I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE DYING WHILE IN FULL MOTION, IRREGARDLESS OF SPEED TRAVELING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 7 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR A PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS TO GET THIS RESOLVED AND HAVE YET TO ONLY GET THE RUN AROUND. LAST NIGHT, ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK MY CAR STALLED ONCE AGAIN. I DO NOT WORK IN A PLEASANT AREA OF CHATTANOOGA AND AS I WAS WALKING TO FIND A PAY PHONE, I WAS ACCOSTED BY AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A GUN WHO WAS THREATENING TO ROB ME AND BEAT ME DOWN. I FLED FROM THE SITUATION PRAYING FOR MY LIFE AND SOMEHOW MADE IT AWAY SAFELY. I AM NOW HOWEVER AT THE BREAKING POINT WITH THIS FUEL PROBLEM WITH THIS TAURUS. I HAVE FOUND INFORMATION CONCERNING A RULING BY CALIFORNIA STATE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE MICHAEL BALLACHEY, ORDERING A RECALL ON CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. BALLACHEY STATES THAT FORD HAS SOLD AS MANY AS 23 MILLION VEHICLES WITH THIS FLAW. THE COURT ALSO RULED THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1982-THESE VEHICLES STALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT. THIS MEANS INTENSIFIED DANGER WITH MY PERSONAL VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS PRONE THE OVERHEAT FREQUENTLY, BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKETS ARE ALUMINUM (ANOTHER MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL). I CONTACTED FORD HEADQUARTERS (1-800-392-3673) AND WAS TOLD THAT THE JUDGE HAS NO AUTHORITY TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, MTN. VIEW FORD, THAT HAS MADE THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS UPON MY VEHICLE CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM EITHER. OWNER DAVID WATSON DIDN'T ADMIT KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. HELP PLEASE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 10/13/00, I NOTICED A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST OF MY CAR. I MADE IT TO WORK ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1,468.00. I NOW FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE ON A REGULAR BASIS,A…
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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 10/13/00, I NOTICED A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST OF MY CAR. I MADE IT TO WORK ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1,468.00. I NOW FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE ON A REGULAR BASIS,ALSO THAT THERE WAS A NOTIFICATION TO THIS EFFECT ,WHICH WAS NEVER SENT TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET REIMBURSED FOR MY BILL DUE TO THIS MATTER.
DROVE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS/BOUGHT USED/WASNT INFORMED OF DEFECT/FORD REFUSED REPAIR/TRIED TO FIND WARRANTEE INFO BUT COULDNT/FINALLY WENT TO DEALER/SAID HE WOULD FIX/ FORD SAID 10 DAYS TOO LATE/ TOWED CAR BACK HOME
VEHICLE WOULD STALL IN TRAFFIC. ONCE ENGINE WOULD COOL OFF IT WOULD START BACK UP. DEALER HAS TRIED NUMEROUS THINGS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. SINCE LAST REPAIR 10-09-2000, VEHICLE HASN'T STALLED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT A RECENT RECALL PROBLEM MATCHES THE PROBLEM THIS VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED. *YH
MY DAUGHTER 8 YRS. AND MYSELF WERE HURT IN THIS ACCIDENT, MY MEDICAL BILLS ARE OVER $6,000 TO DATE AND ONGOING MEDICAL SERIOUS PROBLEMS INCLUDING RSD DISEASE SPREADING THRU BACK LEG'S, BIG LUMP IN BACK CAUSING NON STOP PAIN..LOOKING FOR ATTORNEY NOW..INJURY IS PERMANANT, WILL NEED PAIN MEDICATION THE REST OF MY LIFE..I AM VERY A…
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MY DAUGHTER 8 YRS. AND MYSELF WERE HURT IN THIS ACCIDENT, MY MEDICAL BILLS ARE OVER $6,000 TO DATE AND ONGOING MEDICAL SERIOUS PROBLEMS INCLUDING RSD DISEASE SPREADING THRU BACK LEG'S, BIG LUMP IN BACK CAUSING NON STOP PAIN..LOOKING FOR ATTORNEY NOW..INJURY IS PERMANANT, WILL NEED PAIN MEDICATION THE REST OF MY LIFE..I AM VERY ANGRY AND I AM THINKING ABOUT CALLING LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL TO INFORM OTHER PEOPLE WITH A FORD TAURAS TO BE CAREFUL WITH THIS MODEL.. I AM NOW DISABLED AND VERY ANGRY, THIS WAS A VERY SAFE CAR I THOUGHT.. I WILL TALK TO SOMEONE FROM FORD BEFORE I HIRE AN ATTORNEY..I WANT MY MEDICAL PAID FOR PLUS THE COST OF THIS CAR THAT RUINED MY LIFE, I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE TO GO THRU COURT.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STALLING, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE MULTI FUNCTION RELAY SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GENERAL TIRE (P205/65R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE INTO A SIDE DITCH AND THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER INDICATES FIRE, HOWEVER NO RE…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STALLING, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE MULTI FUNCTION RELAY SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GENERAL TIRE (P205/65R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE INTO A SIDE DITCH AND THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER INDICATES FIRE, HOWEVER NO REFERENCE IN THE COMMENTS. *SLC
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE ENGINE LOST ALL COOLANT. WE WERE ABLE TO SHUT ENGINE DOWN WITHOUT OVERHEATING THE ENGINE. CHECKED ENGINE OIL FOR POSSIBLE COOLANT CONTAMINATION.. FOUND NO SIGN OF OIL/COOLANT MIX. DEALER SAYS THAT ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS TO BE AROUND $1200.00 TO $1600.00 IF THEY FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG. THERE HAS TO B…
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED. THE ENGINE LOST ALL COOLANT. WE WERE ABLE TO SHUT ENGINE DOWN WITHOUT OVERHEATING THE ENGINE. CHECKED ENGINE OIL FOR POSSIBLE COOLANT CONTAMINATION.. FOUND NO SIGN OF OIL/COOLANT MIX. DEALER SAYS THAT ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS TO BE AROUND $1200.00 TO $1600.00 IF THEY FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE 3.8 HEAD GASKET DESIGN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES AND HAVE SERVICED IT PERFECTLY. I HAVE CHANGED OIL EVERY 3000 MILES, FLUSHED COOLANT EVERY 30,000 MILES, ETC. ETC. THIS CAR HAS 91,000 MILES ON IT . IT HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD OR USED FOR TOWING. I AM A SERVICE MANAGER FOR A COMPANY THAT USES FORD TRUCKS AND VANS FOR SERVICE WORK. WE HAVE THE 351 CI AND 460 CI PUSH ROD ENGINES AS WELL AS THE 5.4L AND 6.8L OVERHEAD CAM TRITON ENGINES AND HAVE WELL OVER 140,000 MILES ON MANY OF THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. WHAT'S THE DEAL??
Official recalls
498V323000 · Structure:frame And Members
Dec 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.
98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
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.
97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
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.
97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
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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