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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.

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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

Tires complaints

10 reports
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71,000 miles · Sep 2, 2004
SuspensionTires

FORD TAURUS GL 1994. V6-182 3.0L. FRONT SPRING BREAKAGE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING MALFUNCTION AND FAILURE. TIRE PUNCTURED AS A RESULT. PRIOR TO BREAKAGE, THERE WERE 3 WEEKS WHEN NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WHEN STEERING, TURNING, OR HITTING A BUMP. STRUT ALSO BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CAR AND STRUT WAS DESTROYE…

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FORD TAURUS GL 1994. V6-182 3.0L. FRONT SPRING BREAKAGE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING MALFUNCTION AND FAILURE. TIRE PUNCTURED AS A RESULT. PRIOR TO BREAKAGE, THERE WERE 3 WEEKS WHEN NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WHEN STEERING, TURNING, OR HITTING A BUMP. STRUT ALSO BROKEN AWAY FROM THE CAR AND STRUT WAS DESTROYED, POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTING TO TIRE PUNCTURE. SHOCK ABSORPTION MALFUNCTION. PERHAPS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEMS ARE STRUCTURAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING UNDER CARRIAGE AND DUST BACKING PLATES ALMOST TOTALLY DESTROYED FROM SALT WATER CORROSION. AN ACCIDENT OCCURED WHILE DRIVING, AND ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WERE THEN DIAGNOSED AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR GARAGE. REPAIRS FOR THE STRUT, COIL, RE-ALIGNMENT AFTER ACCIDENT, TIRE, AND SHOCK ABSORPTION SYSTEM FOR THE FRONT OF THE CAR ALONE WERE $708, NOT INCLUDING ANY REPAIRS FOR THE DESTROYED, CORRODED UNDERCARRIAGE AND DUST BACKING PLATES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088978

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2002
Tires

WE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS COMING OFF THE SIDE OF TWO OF THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERED ME TO THERE LOCAL DEALER WHICH REPLACED THE TIRES AT NO CHARGE. I PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 8 TIRES. FOUR FOR THIS CAR AND FOUR FOR MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE. WE NOTICED THIS WEEK THAT ONE OF THE TIRES IS DOING T…

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WE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS COMING OFF THE SIDE OF TWO OF THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERED ME TO THERE LOCAL DEALER WHICH REPLACED THE TIRES AT NO CHARGE. I PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 8 TIRES. FOUR FOR THIS CAR AND FOUR FOR MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE. WE NOTICED THIS WEEK THAT ONE OF THE TIRES IS DOING THE SAME THING WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEE THE TIRE BEFORE I GET IT REPLACED SO YOU CAN EXAM IT. MY CONCERN IT THAT THE TWO CARS ARE DRIVEN DIFFERENTLY, HOWEVER NOW THE SABLE TIRES ARE SHOWING THE SAME SIDE WALL TREAD PROBLEMS. AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT NOTIFIED THE COMPANY REGARDING THE THIRD TIRE. WITH THE LAST TWO TIRE THEY WERE IDICATING THAT IS WAS THE CUSTOMERS FAULT. NOW I WONDER IF WE HAVE ANOTHER FIRESTONE ON OUR HANDS. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #761478

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001
Tires

A BUBBLE WAS FORMING IN THE SIDEWALL OF LEFT REAR FIRESTONE, FT70C TIRE SIZE: R205/65R15, DOT25301801337, 1994 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON, AND WAS NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, ONLY HAD 20000 MILES ON TIRES, CONSUMER STATED THAT TIRES WERE ROTATED ON A FREQUENT BASIS. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #896734

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2001
Tires

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OPERATED ERRATICALLY CAUSING DASHBOARD LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON, THE CONSUMER HAS REMOVED FUSES FOR LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD YET THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON, THE DEALERSHIP HAS YET TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLMIT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WAY THE SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED CAUSE…

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OPERATED ERRATICALLY CAUSING DASHBOARD LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON, THE CONSUMER HAS REMOVED FUSES FOR LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD YET THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON, THE DEALERSHIP HAS YET TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLMIT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WAY THE SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED CAUSED THE TIRE TO RUB THE WIRES OF THE REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM TO THE POINT THAT THEY SHORTED OUT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #890006

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Tires

FIRESTONE FR680 (P205/65R15) TUBL, EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557212

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingTiresCrashFire

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STALLING, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE MULTI FUNCTION RELAY SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GENERAL TIRE (P205/65R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE INTO A SIDE DITCH AND THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER INDICATES FIRE, HOWEVER NO RE…

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VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STALLING, FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE MULTI FUNCTION RELAY SWITCH HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GENERAL TIRE (P205/65R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE INTO A SIDE DITCH AND THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A LOT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, CONSUMER INDICATES FIRE, HOWEVER NO REFERENCE IN THE COMMENTS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #872825

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2000
Tires

HAVE HAD THE SECOND TIRE SEPARATE - WHEN DRIVING IS OUT OF ROUND AND THUMPS ALONG THE ROAD. FRIST TIRE REPLACED BEFORE FAILURE ON HIGHWAY. 2ND TIRE IS NOW SEPERATING AND THUMPS/BUMPS ALONG THE HIGHWAY.*AK (DOT NUMBER: Y79L PUB TIRESIZE: P205/65R15)

NHTSA ODI #732961

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Tires

PE00020, ORIGINAL FORD TAURUS 1994,TIRE SIZE P20565/R15. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR END, BUT TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. CHANGED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. KEPT DRIVING, AND ABOUT 50 MILES DOWN, REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING TREAD TO HIT THE FU…

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PE00020, ORIGINAL FORD TAURUS 1994,TIRE SIZE P20565/R15. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, DRIVER'S REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR END, BUT TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. CHANGED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. KEPT DRIVING, AND ABOUT 50 MILES DOWN, REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING TREAD TO HIT THE FUEL RESTART SWITCH WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE STALL AND UNABLE TO RESTART. PREVIOUSLY AT 11,000 MILE, THE TWO REAR TIRES HAD STEEL BELTS SHOWING. DEALER REPLACED TIRES. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER FEEL THAT THE TWO TIRES THAT WERE REPLACED AT 11,000 MILES ARE UNSAFE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #867470

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2000
Tires

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH WET ROAD RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #867405

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicTires

AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND PULLS TO THE LEFT. ALSO, THE TIRE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS WEARING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832937

Official recalls

4

98V323000 · 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

4

RQ99017 · 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.