IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILED, POSSIBLY DUE TO CRACKED PISTON THAT CONTROLS GEARS. *AK FWD CLUTCH PISTON INSIDE THE FWD CLUTCH DRUM HAD CRACKED. THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD WITH THESE KINDS OF VEHICLES. *YH
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
Power Train complaints
269 reportsTHIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MY POSSESSION SINCE COMING INTO SERVICE IN JULY 1994. IT WAS A FLEET VEHICLE, OWNED BY GE FLEET AND LEASED TO HONEYWELL. IN 1998, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED AT MY COMPANYS EXPENSE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JULY 1999. IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR, WITH APPRO…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MY POSSESSION SINCE COMING INTO SERVICE IN JULY 1994. IT WAS A FLEET VEHICLE, OWNED BY GE FLEET AND LEASED TO HONEYWELL. IN 1998, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED AT MY COMPANYS EXPENSE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JULY 1999. IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR, WITH APPROXIMATELY 112,800 MILES (ONLY 36,800 MILES ON THE REPLACED SPEEDOMETER), IT FAILED AGAIN. FORD HAS ISSUED TWO TSBS. THE FIRST IN 1997, TSB 97-12-5 AND THE SECOND IN 1999, 99-7-9. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SHEEHY FORD IN RICHMOND VA, (MR. RON CRENSHEW), ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE REPAIRS DICTATED UNDER FORDS TSBS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN FACT, FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT TWICE THE RATE. CLEARLY FORD IS SELLING DEFECTIVE PARTS, BOTH ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK THIS OUT WITH THEM, ONLY TO HAVE POLICY WARRANTY SPOUTED AT ME. THEY NEED TO FIX THIS. ILL PAY THE LABOR. THE PART IS OVER $500. THIS IS ABSURD. WE NOW HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. I NEED YOUR HELP. THANK YOU. MICHAEL E. CUMMINGS MIDLOTHIAN VA. *AK
NOISE COMES FROM THE POWER STEERING UNIT WHEN TURNING, THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES, BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. *SLC
MY TAURUS STOPS RUNNING WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF BEING PUT INTO OVERDRIVE OR ON CRUISE CONTROL. IT ALSO STOPS RUNNING IN HOT CLIMATES. I HAVE NO WARNING TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL STOP AND I MUST NAVIGATE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DEALOR MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. I BELEIVE IT TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THE CARS IN …
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MY TAURUS STOPS RUNNING WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF BEING PUT INTO OVERDRIVE OR ON CRUISE CONTROL. IT ALSO STOPS RUNNING IN HOT CLIMATES. I HAVE NO WARNING TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL STOP AND I MUST NAVIGATE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DEALOR MECHANIC SUGGESTED IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. I BELEIVE IT TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THE CARS IN CA ARE BEING RECALLED FOR. THANK YOU.*AK
VEHICLE ALWAYS MAINTAINED. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE INCLUDING TORQUE CONVERTER AND PLANETARY GEAR. REBUILT AND DRIVEN 4 DAYS, PLANETARY GEAR PACKAGE FAILED AGAIN! NOTIFYING FORD. UNACCEPTABLE!!*AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH VERY LITTLE MILEAGE, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
BELIEVE THAT MANUFACTURER'S. SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE INTERVAL IS TOO LONG AND RESULTS IN FAILURE OF COMPONENTS DUE TO PROLONGED HEAVY USE CONDITIONS AND LARGE SERVICE INTERVAL, RECOMMEND LESS THAN HALF OF CURRENT TRANSMISSION SERVICE INTERVAL TO PREVENT EARLY FAILURES.*AK
THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. *MJS
TRANSMISSION IS JUMPING OUT OF GEAR, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOON NEED TO BE REPLACED. *SLC
FORD INITIALLY REJECTED COVERAGE FOR HEAD GASKET, I RECV'D RECALL LETTER. THIS IS 3RD TRANSMISSION ON 6YR OLD VEHICLE. TRANS WOULD JERK FORWARD BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE
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.