IllustrationIGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATED SINCE IT WAS MADE TO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AND SHUTDOWN. CONSUMER HAS HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE 1995, BUT IN THE LAST MONTH, VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN ONCE A WEEK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FOUND REMEDY.*AK
1995 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 119 of 1,205 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.
- Power Train. Review the 394 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 352 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
60 crash reports53 fire reports48 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
95 reportsWHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER 5-10 MINUTES VEHICLE RESTARTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE ON IT WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. *YH
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ABOUT IGNITION MODULE. IT IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE, AND WHEN ENGINE IS HOT IT WILL STALL. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WILL GO AT ANYTIME. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP. THEN, HAVE TO WAIT AND RESTART.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE: NO CRANK SOMETIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS. WHEN IT FIRST ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THEY COULDN'T START IT EITHER. THE NEXT DAY THEY WERE ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. OBVIOUSLY, THERE WAS NO CHARGE AND THE V…
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE: NO CRANK SOMETIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS. WHEN IT FIRST ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THEY COULDN'T START IT EITHER. THE NEXT DAY THEY WERE ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS. OBVIOUSLY, THERE WAS NO CHARGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME. THIS HAS OCCURED 3 TIMES SINCE I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED USED ON 7/99). INSTRUMENT PANEL: SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE JUMPS AROUND, TYPICALLY AFTER I REACH SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH. *AK
MY HUSBAND WENT INSIDE A FRIENDS HOUSE AND WHEN HE CAME BACK OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE, THE CAR IS NOT FIXED AND IS IN OUR GARAGE. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD WIRING, ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS BURNED AS WELL AS THE FRONT SEATS. THE ENGINE IS NOT BURNED FROM WHAT WE CA…
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MY HUSBAND WENT INSIDE A FRIENDS HOUSE AND WHEN HE CAME BACK OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE, THE CAR IS NOT FIXED AND IS IN OUR GARAGE. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD WIRING, ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS BURNED AS WELL AS THE FRONT SEATS. THE ENGINE IS NOT BURNED FROM WHAT WE CAN SEE.
AFTER DRIVING FOR 1.5 HRS DURING A 86 DEGREE DAY, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED IN THE "NORMAL" RANGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED AT THE TIME, BUT A YEAR LATER, THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE SAME TIME HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR STOPPED AFT…
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AFTER DRIVING FOR 1.5 HRS DURING A 86 DEGREE DAY, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, ALTHOUGH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE REMAINED IN THE "NORMAL" RANGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED AT THE TIME, BUT A YEAR LATER, THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE SAME TIME HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR STOPPED AFTER A 1.5 HOUR DRIVE, AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN, UNTIL SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
VEHICLE STALLED WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE WILL SHUTDOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLS SEVERAL TIMES DUE TI SENSOR AND SPARK PLUGS FAILURE. *YH
TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A 'CLUNKING' NOISE WHILE CRUISING ON INTERSTATE, THEN WHITE SMOKE SEEN COMING FROM BACK AND UNDERSIDE OF CAR AS ENGINE STARTS TO WHINE. PULLED OVER TO CHECK PROBLEM AS SOON AS NOTED SINCE NO WARNING LAMPS LIGHTED INSIDE VEHICLE. ONCE PULLED ONTO SHOULDER, BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID BURST UNDER CAR. ALL OT…
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TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A 'CLUNKING' NOISE WHILE CRUISING ON INTERSTATE, THEN WHITE SMOKE SEEN COMING FROM BACK AND UNDERSIDE OF CAR AS ENGINE STARTS TO WHINE. PULLED OVER TO CHECK PROBLEM AS SOON AS NOTED SINCE NO WARNING LAMPS LIGHTED INSIDE VEHICLE. ONCE PULLED ONTO SHOULDER, BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID BURST UNDER CAR. ALL OTHER FLUID LEVELS WERE CHECKED AND FOUND ACCEPTABLE. WHEN COOLED DOWN, CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE ANY GEAR. NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO NEAREST FORD GARAGE AND TOLD TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE. NO EXTERNAL TRAUMA NOTED. TRANSMISSION COST OVER $2000 AND FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE WOULD NOT OFFER ANY REIMBURSEMENT. ROUTINE TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT 42300 MILES. PERSONALLY, I FEEL THAT A WELL-MAINTAINED TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 49000 MILES.
Official recalls
501V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Dec 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
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.
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.
94V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Oct 11, 1994
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
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.