IllustrationI HAD SENT A COMPLAINT TODAY 10-10-00 JUST AFTER I GOT OF LINE I RECIEVED A PHONE CALL FROM BRUCE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFORD STATING THAT FORD WAS NOW GOING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS 100%
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.
51 crash reports23 fire reports30 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsMY TAURUS HAD A HEAD GASKET FAIL AND NOW I'M TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT'S 594 MILES OVER THE 100,000 LIMIT I'LL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WAS PREVIOUSLY DEALER MAINTANED AT ANOTHER DEALER SHIP ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HERE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER.THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFO…
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MY TAURUS HAD A HEAD GASKET FAIL AND NOW I'M TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT'S 594 MILES OVER THE 100,000 LIMIT I'LL HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WAS PREVIOUSLY DEALER MAINTANED AT ANOTHER DEALER SHIP ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HERE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER.THE SERVICE MANAGER AT ASHLEY FORD IN NEW BEDFORD HAS BEEN HELPFUL BUT SAYS HIS HANDS ARE TIED AND THAT IT WAS FORD'S DECISION TO MAKE NOT HIS HE HAD CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD REP. BUT WAS SO FAR ONLY ABLE TO GET ME A 30% DISCOUNT . I'VE FELT ALL ALONG THAT FORD SHOULD REPAIR THIS AT NO COST TO ME BECAUSE THIS IS OBVIOUSLLY A PROBLEM EXCLUSIVELY TO THE 3.8 FORD ENGINE OR EVER CAR ON THE ROADS HEAD GASKETS WOULD BE FAILING . WHEN I SPOKE TO THE FORD REP AT THE 800 # (1-800-392-3673) ELAINE SHE WASN'T HELPFUL AT ALL AND SEEMED MAD AT ME FOR TRYING TO GET SOME HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM , LIKE IT WAS MY FAULT .I'VE TOLD THE MANAGER BRUCE THAT AT THIS POINT I'LD BE WILLING TO PAY 20% OF THE COST TO REPAIR JUST SO WE CAN GET OUR CAR BACK WE'RE PAYING A LOAN ON THIS CAR AND CAN'T EVEN USE IT . I'VE HAD MANY FORDS IN THE PAST AND HAVE NEVER NEEDED DEALER ASSISTANTS LIKE THIS BEFORE AND FEEL THAT 594 MILES OVER THE 100,000 MILE LIMIT SHOULN'T JUSTIFIE FORD'S REFUSAL TO STAND BEHIND THIER PRODUCT AND NOT FIX OUR CAR.ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE US WOULD BE APPRECIATED , THANK YOU , SINCERELY JOHN & SHARON DOLMAN
WHY ONLY THAT LEFT ON BRAKES AFTER ONLY 38950 MILES? THIS NOT NORMAL
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, ONE ORIGINAL AND TWO REPLACEMENTS PARTS EACH YEAR, GARAGE HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDS REPLACEMENT BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES.*ET
WHEN APPLYING HER GAS PEDAL VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PLACE. MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN PASSING OR SPEEDING AND WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR OFF THE FLOOR, AND HOLD BRAKES. *AK
ON 7/24/00 I TOOK MY CAR TO TULSA AUTO COLLECTION QUALITY CARE FACILITY AT 11122 EAST 71ST STREET TULSA, OK. (918-250-3555) TO HAVE MY A/C SYSTEM REPAIRED, AS IT WAS WORKING JUST FINE THE DAY BEFORE. TOM, THE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED MY CAR, STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE VIBRATION. THE VIBRAT…
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ON 7/24/00 I TOOK MY CAR TO TULSA AUTO COLLECTION QUALITY CARE FACILITY AT 11122 EAST 71ST STREET TULSA, OK. (918-250-3555) TO HAVE MY A/C SYSTEM REPAIRED, AS IT WAS WORKING JUST FINE THE DAY BEFORE. TOM, THE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED MY CAR, STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAD FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE VIBRATION. THE VIBRATION WAS HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE A RUPTURE IN A A/C LINE, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED A COMPLETE A/C SYSTEM FAILURE. A MAJOR LEAK WAS FOUND AT THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE TO CONDENSOR. WILL REQUIRE MANIFOLD HOSE REPLACEMENT. WILL ALSO NEED NEW FILTER DRYER HOSE ASSEMBLY, SINCE SYSTEM HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO AIR. REPLACE ESTIMATED REPAIRS $625. ALSO MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BAD AND MUST BE REPLACED BEFORE ANY A/C WORK IS PERFORMED. ESTIMATED MOTOR MOUNT REPLACE $450-$600. NOW, SINCE IT IS GETTING COLD, I HAVE FOUND THAT MY HEATER IS NOT WORKING. POSSIBLY AS A RESULT OF THE RUPTURE IN THE A/C LINES. I AM ASKING THAT FORD KINDLY REPAIR MY CAR BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN AT NTHSA'S WEB SITE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE MADE ABOUT PROBLEM MOTOR MOUNTS OVER THE SPAN OF SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE TALKED TO FORD AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE CAR WITHOUT MY PAYING FOR IT. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS UNFAIR FOR FORD TO FORCE THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR SUCH REPAIRS, WHEN THEIR MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE A PROVEN HISTORY OF FAILURE.*AKY
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FEELING THAT A NEWER CAR WOULD BE GOOD TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE STORE. WE WANTED SOME THING SAFE FOR THE KIDS. TRACEY TOOK THE KIDS TO A MOVIE AND CALLED ME AT WORK TO COME AND GET HER. IVE PULLED THE ENGINE APART AND IT IS THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER THAT HAS GONE HEAD GASKET AND HEADS. *AK
THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. *MJS
HEAD GASKETS FAILURE AND TIMING CASE
ALL PROBLEMS WITH OUR 1994 TAURUS HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE, FORD HAS DENIED SEVERAL OF THE RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS LISTED AT NHTSA. THE CAR CONTINUES TO CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT AND RUN HOT, WE STILL CAN SMELL GAS THROUGH VENTS, DOOR HANDLE PROBLEMS, GAS CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, AND SEVERAL OTHERS STILL EXIST WITHOUT A…
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ALL PROBLEMS WITH OUR 1994 TAURUS HAVE EXISTED SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE, FORD HAS DENIED SEVERAL OF THE RECALLS AND SERVICE BULLETINS LISTED AT NHTSA. THE CAR CONTINUES TO CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT AND RUN HOT, WE STILL CAN SMELL GAS THROUGH VENTS, DOOR HANDLE PROBLEMS, GAS CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, AND SEVERAL OTHERS STILL EXIST WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM FORD (EVEN WHEN CONFRONTED WITH EXACT NUMBERS AND DATES OF RECALLS AND BULLETINS), ALL PROBLEMS STILL EXIST WITHOUT HELP FROM FORD. FORDS CUSTOMER CONCERN, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND QUALITY IN GENERAL IS SEVERELY LACKING. WE ARE TIRED OF RUNAROUNDS, TIRED OF DENIALS RELATED TO THESE PROBLEMS, TIRED OF FORD DENYING THAT WE HAVE MADE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS, TIRED OF FORD REFUSING TO PROVIDE PAPER WORK THE FEW TIMES THEY HAD THE VEHICHLE. TIRED OF THIS SCARY LEMON WE OWN, TIRED OF FORD IN GENERAL.
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.