Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. CAN TAKE KEY OUT OF SWITCH & ENGINE STILL GOING. HAD 2 IGNITION SWITCHES REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. ALSO,ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AT 64,000/FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO OVERHEATING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER PUTS OUT AN ODOR WHEN RUNNING FOR AWHILE. BEEN TO DEALER EACH TIME AB…
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IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. CAN TAKE KEY OUT OF SWITCH & ENGINE STILL GOING. HAD 2 IGNITION SWITCHES REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. ALSO,ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AT 64,000/FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO OVERHEATING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER PUTS OUT AN ODOR WHEN RUNNING FOR AWHILE. BEEN TO DEALER EACH TIME ABOUT PROBLEMS. HAD ALSO NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER & TOLD NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837014
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1999
Electrical System
CONSUMER BELIEVES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE POSSIBLY DUE TO THE #4 FUSE COMING FROM FACTORY W/20 AMPS WHEN MANUAL STATES 15 AMPS. THIS FUSE HAS BLOWN 8 TIMES,IT CONTROLS SEVERAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE DASH/REAR TAIL LIGHTS WHICH HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS WHICH HAVE BEEN R…
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CONSUMER BELIEVES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE POSSIBLY DUE TO THE #4 FUSE COMING FROM FACTORY W/20 AMPS WHEN MANUAL STATES 15 AMPS. THIS FUSE HAS BLOWN 8 TIMES,IT CONTROLS SEVERAL COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE DASH/REAR TAIL LIGHTS WHICH HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS WHICH HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES. OTHER ELECTRICAL REPAIRS INCLUDE 3 TRIP INDICATORS AND 1 SPEEDOMETER.
NHTSA ODI #544611
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 1999
Electrical SystemFire
2 WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHORTED TOGETHER. AT THIS POINT THE WIRE INSULATION AND SHEATHING BEGAN TO MELT AND BURN FILLING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH SMOKE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP IT WAS TO DISCONNECT THE CAR BATTERY. THE 15 AMP FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT BLOW!! I HAVE SAV…
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2 WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHORTED TOGETHER. AT THIS POINT THE WIRE INSULATION AND SHEATHING BEGAN TO MELT AND BURN FILLING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH SMOKE. THE ONLY WAY I COULD STOP IT WAS TO DISCONNECT THE CAR BATTERY. THE 15 AMP FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT BLOW!! I HAVE SAVED THE 2 INCH SECTION OF WIRING THAT WAS BURNED AND MELTED.
NHTSA ODI #703750
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
RIGHT REAR TIRE BELT BROKE.
NHTSA ODI #530878
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP WAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS, AND CAN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. PROBLEM WAS ELECTRIC COOLING FAN MOTOR. THEN CRUISE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. PROBLEM-BRAKE WIRING HARNESS. LAST MAJOR PROBLEM WAS ROCKER ARM MALFUNCTIONED AT 39,166 MI. REPAIR BILL FOR THAT WAS 879.88. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702839
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 1998
Electrical System
DEFECTIVE STARTER WIRE WILL DISCONNECT BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. WILL NOT START. *AK
NHTSA ODI #831331
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1997
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. DEALER HAS FIXED AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK FIRST OCCASION, DEALER STATED PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND WHEN CONSUMER CAME TO PICK UP VEHICLE, FOUND A DASHBOARD LIGHT FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WAS NOT LIT, ON THE 3RD DAY OF REPAIR, DEALER STATED A WIRE HAD BROKEN IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE M…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. DEALER HAS FIXED AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK FIRST OCCASION, DEALER STATED PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND WHEN CONSUMER CAME TO PICK UP VEHICLE, FOUND A DASHBOARD LIGHT FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WAS NOT LIT, ON THE 3RD DAY OF REPAIR, DEALER STATED A WIRE HAD BROKEN IN THE CONNECTOR TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, THIS HAD BEEN REPLACED 2 YEARS PRIOR, OTHER ELECTICAL COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED INCLUDING THE DOOR LOCKS, SEAT BELT BUZZERS, KEY LEFT IN IGNITION BUZZER, COURTESY LIGHT, AND OTHERS, CONSUMER TOLD DEALER THAT ON ONE OCCASION WHILE SHUTTING THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHE COULD HEAR A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS SHORTING OUT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #818206
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 1997
Electrical System
ENGINE STARTS INTERMITTENTLY CAUSED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER WILL PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #816466
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE ROAD AND RAISED HOOD . SMOKE AND SPARKS WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. IN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES . WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #813884
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 1997
Electrical System
WIRING HARNESS MELTED/OVERHEATED, SOME OF THE WIRES BURNED OFF THEIR INSULATION. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
1995 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year