IllustrationTHERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.*JB. *JB
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
50 reportsPLUG ON BACK OF HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION,RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS.*AK
HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO OPERATE AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER FEELS THIS PROBLEM CAUSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO ZERO. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V009000 ON 16-NOV-1998, AND INFORMED CONSUMER ANY REPAIRS FOR ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WILL BE DO…
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HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO OPERATE AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER FEELS THIS PROBLEM CAUSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO ZERO. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V009000 ON 16-NOV-1998, AND INFORMED CONSUMER ANY REPAIRS FOR ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WILL BE DONE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
RECALL 98 V 009 000/HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER: HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT FOR A BRIEF INTERVAL WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT., DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRED. *AK *YH
LOW BEAMS ON HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. WHEN PUTTING ON LOW BEAM LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON, AND EVERYTHING ON DASH JUST RAPIDLY BLINKS. WHEN USING HIGH BEAM EVERYTHING GOES AWAY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED NO RECALL. *AK
WHEN TURNING OFF HEADLIGHTS SOMETIMES THEY WON'T GO OFF, AND SOMETIMES THEY'LL COME ON BY THEMSELVES, AND DRAIN BATTERY.*AK POSSIBLE BOLT FAILURE IN SUBFRAME CAUSED CLUNKING SOUND. *YH
HEADLIGHTS ARE SEVERELY FOGGED AND CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNWILLING TO HELP IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
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
I HAVE COMPLIED TO FORD ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THEY SAID I WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT GOING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING AND THEY TOLD BE I SHOULD GET IT FIXED AND SAVE THE RECEIPT IN CASE IT WAS EVER RECALLED BUT THAT THEY WOULD NOT SINCE IT WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I REPLACED…
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I HAVE COMPLIED TO FORD ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THEY SAID I WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT GOING OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING AND THEY TOLD BE I SHOULD GET IT FIXED AND SAVE THE RECEIPT IN CASE IT WAS EVER RECALLED BUT THAT THEY WOULD NOT SINCE IT WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I REPLACED THIS HEADLIGHT SWITCH I NOTICED THAT THE PLACTIC PART AROUND THE WIRES LEADING TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WERE MELTED AND VERY BURNED. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY AND HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO CAUSE A FIRE NOT TO MENTION THE HEADLIGHT GOING OFF THEM SELVES. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD FORD STYLE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO GIVE IT TO YOU.*AK
THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WERE MISALIGNED. NLM
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.