NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
289 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 26, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE RECENTLY BEGAN DYING WITHOUT REASON, ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY STOPS, WILL NORMALLY RESTART WITHIN 30 MINS. MECHANIC CAN GIVE NO CAUSE, SAID IT IS COMMON TO TAURUS. BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND NO PROBLEMS NOTED, HOWEVER WHEN YOU ARE TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR ONTO AN INCLINED SURFACE THEY LOCK. FUEL IN TANK SLOSHES NOTICABI…
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VEHICLE RECENTLY BEGAN DYING WITHOUT REASON, ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY STOPS, WILL NORMALLY RESTART WITHIN 30 MINS. MECHANIC CAN GIVE NO CAUSE, SAID IT IS COMMON TO TAURUS. BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND NO PROBLEMS NOTED, HOWEVER WHEN YOU ARE TURNING TO THE RIGHT OR ONTO AN INCLINED SURFACE THEY LOCK. FUEL IN TANK SLOSHES NOTICABILIY WHEN TURNING, SHAKES VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #745947
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN AUGUST OF 1997 DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THERE WAS A HEAD GASKET LEAK. THEN, ON MAY 16TH 2001, ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH WAS FROM OIL LEAKING INTO ANTIFREEZE. DEALERSHIP WAS EXAMINING VEHICLE AND WAS GOING TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *A…
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IN AUGUST OF 1997 DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THERE WAS A HEAD GASKET LEAK. THEN, ON MAY 16TH 2001, ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH WAS FROM OIL LEAKING INTO ANTIFREEZE. DEALERSHIP WAS EXAMINING VEHICLE AND WAS GOING TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888986
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS-TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS HOT REGULARLY. MUST STOP ON SIDE OF ROAD TO CHECK ENGINE. $2,000+ TO REPAIR-MILEAGE IS 20,000 MI. PAST RECALL WARRANTY. FIGURES! *AK
NHTSA ODI #745786
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE BEGAN STALLING IN 1999 AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY...I SUSPECT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AS IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED. I DO NOT KNOW OF A RECALL HOWEVER. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER HERE IN FREMONT AS IT SEEMED TO BE OVERHEATING AND HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A BLOWN HEADGASKET AS I…
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THE ENGINE BEGAN STALLING IN 1999 AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO THIS DAY...I SUSPECT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AS IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED. I DO NOT KNOW OF A RECALL HOWEVER. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER HERE IN FREMONT AS IT SEEMED TO BE OVERHEATING AND HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A BLOWN HEADGASKET AS IT WAS A RECALL PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS PAST THE 7 YEAR LIMIT BY TWO MONTHS HOWEVER. AT THIS TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS ALSO QUIT. NEEDLESS TO SAY FORD HAS LOST MY BUSINESS FOREVER. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I FOUND ON YOUR SIGHT . MANY OF THEM SEEMED TO BE THE SAME PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. FORD SHOULD MONITOR THIS LIST AND THEY COULD SEE WHERE THE FLAWS WERE IN THIS MODEL IF THEY CARED. EXCELLENT SIGHT WHICH I WILL SCAN BEFORE BUYING MY NEXT VEHICLE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 205 60 15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205 60 15 )
NHTSA ODI #745097
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WATER LEAKING INTO CYLINDER CAUSING THE CAR TO LEAP AND MISS REAL BAD, WHEN FINALLY STOPED FILLED CYLINDER WITH WATER AND LOCKED THE MOTOR.
NHTSA ODI #9002414
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
MOTOR MOUNTS SEPARATED, CAUSING ENGINE TO MOVE WHERE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887142
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL AND DIE IN WARM CLIMATE WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WILL START UP ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER IT HAS STALLED OUT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #885515
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL PAN LEAKED DUE TO CORROSION. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL AND NOT EXTENDED UNDER A WARRANTY. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #885180
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT AT FIRST, VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING AT ALL. THEN, VEHICLE STARTED AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF TAIL PIPE. ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT AT 30000 MILES. *AK THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD GIVEN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO OWNERS OF 1994-1995 MODELS. *YH
NHTSA ODI #884516
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THEIR IS A RECALL ON FORD TAURUS FOR REAR MOTOR MOUNTS. CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS REPAIRED. FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BROKEN CURRENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #882561
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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