IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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.
51 crash reports23 fire reports30 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsWHILE DRIVING TEMPERATURE WENT UP AND VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING DUE TO A LEAKING ENGINE HEAD GASKET. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY WATER PUMP AND DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK *ML
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
RADIATOR LEAKED. YH
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAVE CRACKED AT 56,000 MILES, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE AT A STOPLIGHT. KICKS INTO GEAR WHEN ACCLERATOR IS FLOORED. OVERDRIVE NO LONGER WORKS. CAR WILL ONLY RUN IN REGULAR DRIVE. ALSO ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN LEAKING ONTO SPARK PLUGS. PROBABLY OCCURRED PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR USED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. MINIMAL MILEA…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE AT A STOPLIGHT. KICKS INTO GEAR WHEN ACCLERATOR IS FLOORED. OVERDRIVE NO LONGER WORKS. CAR WILL ONLY RUN IN REGULAR DRIVE. ALSO ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN LEAKING ONTO SPARK PLUGS. PROBABLY OCCURRED PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR USED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. MINIMAL MILEAGE. *AK
VEHICLES SHOOK WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE ENGINE MOUNTS CORRODING AWAY. DEALER REPLACED THE MOUNTS. *AK
SUDDEN FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET WHICH ALSO CAUSED FAILURES OF BOTH O2 SENSORS, TIMING COVER GASKET, RADIATOR, AND WATER PUMP. THE HEAD GASKET CAUSED A SUDDEN FAILURE WHICH LEFT MY FAMILY AND I STRANDED FOR A SHORT TIME ON THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE 75 SOUTH OF CORBIN, KY (VERY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR A BREAKDOWN). THE INITIAL HEAD GASKE…
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SUDDEN FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET WHICH ALSO CAUSED FAILURES OF BOTH O2 SENSORS, TIMING COVER GASKET, RADIATOR, AND WATER PUMP. THE HEAD GASKET CAUSED A SUDDEN FAILURE WHICH LEFT MY FAMILY AND I STRANDED FOR A SHORT TIME ON THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE 75 SOUTH OF CORBIN, KY (VERY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR A BREAKDOWN). THE INITIAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED A MASSIVE LEAKAGE OF COOLANT THROUGH THE CYLINDERS AND OUT THE EXHAUST WHICH CAUSED BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS TO FAIL (ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON). IN ADDITION, HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSED ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND ALSO OPENED UP THE COOLING SYSTEM TO BEING POUNDED BY THE PRESSURE OF THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER (FAILED GASKET OPENED UP AN ABNORMAL PATH BETWEEN COMBUSTION CYLINDERS AND COOLING SYSTEM) - THIS RESULTED IN COOLING LEAKAGE FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, AND TIMING COVER GASKET. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE FAILURES THAT APPEAR TO BE VERY COMMON TO FORD'S 3.8L V6 ENGINE (HEAD GASKET FAILURES) WHICH IS ALSO USED IN THEIR SABLE, WINDSTAR, CONTINENTAL, AND MUSTANG. FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY FAILURE AND YET IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT NHTSA'S OWN SITE SHOWS OVER 150 FAILURES FOR THE WINDSTAR ALONE (SAME ENGINE). FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE - IT WAS CERTAINLY A SAFETY RELATED FAILURE IN MY CASE. *AK
THE MAIN FAILURE THAT I'M INTERESTED IN REPORTING IS THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET). I HAVE ADDED THE 3 FAILURES OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SINCE I FEEL ONE OF THESE FAILURES MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ALREADY DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET TO BECOME EVEN MORE PRONE TO FAILURE. 1ST A/C FAILURE IN MARCH 98 WAS FOR ACCUM…
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THE MAIN FAILURE THAT I'M INTERESTED IN REPORTING IS THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM (FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET). I HAVE ADDED THE 3 FAILURES OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SINCE I FEEL ONE OF THESE FAILURES MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ALREADY DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET TO BECOME EVEN MORE PRONE TO FAILURE. 1ST A/C FAILURE IN MARCH 98 WAS FOR ACCUMULATOR HOSE HAD A HOLE IN IT. 2ND A/C FAILURE IN MAY99 COIL-PULLEY-CLUTCH ASSY HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN JULY 99 ALL THE HOSES INCLUDING HEATER HOSE AND THE MANIFOLD-INTAKE LOWER WERE REPLACED. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM THIS REPAIR A SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME THRU THE VENTS INTO THE CAR AND THERE WAS A STRANGE ODOR. I CALLED THE GARAGE AND REPORTED THIS THEY SAID, " SOME OF THE ANTIFREEZE MUST HAVE GOT ONTO THE ENGINE AND NOT TO WORRY". FIFTEEN DAYS LATER ON 16JULY19 THE SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF THE VENTS AGAIN. THIS IS THE 3RD A/C WHICH WAS FOR A CORE HEATER ASSY. I THINK THAT THIS CAUSE A OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE AND FURTHER DAMAGED THE ALREADY DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS (TO BE FAR THIS IS ONLY A GUESS ON MY PART SINCE THE TEMP. INDICATOR NEVER GOT IN THE RED AREA. ALSO I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE DAY AFTER ALL THE HOSES WERE CHANGED I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR SINCE THERE WAS ANTIFREEZE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR CAUSE MY A CLAMP NOT BEING INSTALL CORRECTLY. THE ON 14DEC99 THE CAR STARTED OVERHEATING, I CHECKED THE OVERFLOW ANTIFREEZE AREA ADDED ANTIFREEZE AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A PRESSURE TEST AND FOUND A BAD HOSE AND REPLACED IT. ON 21DEC99 ENGINE OVERHEATING AGAIN. PUT MORE ANTIFREEZE IN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. FIRST THEY CALLED AND SAID""IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT." THEN THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID, "BLOWN HEAD GASKET". I THINK ALL THIS OVERHEADING DIDN'T HELP THE HEAD GASKET BUT I REALLY THINK FOLD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND MADE TO REPLACE THESE HEAD GASKETS FREE EVEN THOUGH THE EXTENDED WARRENTY PERIOD ON THE RECALL HAS PASSED. THE RECALL WAS NOT CLEARLY WITTEN.
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.