7 ON 6-11-2001, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A SMALL TAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD ABOUT A 140 MILES INTO MY TRIP, WHICH SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE TAPPING NOISE PROGRESSED TO A LOUD CLANKING COMING FROM THE MOTOR. {NOTE: THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON}. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AN EN…
Read full complaint
7 ON 6-11-2001, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A SMALL TAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD ABOUT A 140 MILES INTO MY TRIP, WHICH SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE TAPPING NOISE PROGRESSED TO A LOUD CLANKING COMING FROM THE MOTOR. {NOTE: THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON}. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AN ENGINE DIAGNOSIS. BECAUSE THE OIL INDICATOR STICK WAS FULL AND THERE WAS ADEQUATE COOLANT, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT THE RESULT OF A HEAD GASKET FAILURE, BUT POSSIBLY DUE TO A "CONNECTING ROD BEARING" FAILURE. RECOMMENDATION: "NEEDS NEW ENGINE". MILEAGE: 70,903; 7 ON 3-26-99 THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD BROKE. MILEAGE: 40,551. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP: $700; 7 ON 6-29-2000, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, BROUGHT TO FORD DEALERSHIP- ESTIMATED DIAGNOSIS: "PROBABLY INTERNAL". MILEAGE: 57,850. DIAGNOSIS COST: $70.68 ESTIMATED COST OF TRANSMISSION WORK BY THE DEALERSHIP: $2000
NHTSA ODI #748845
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET. GASKET IS LEAKING OIL ONTO ENGINE. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET.*AK
NHTSA ODI #890309
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF FAILURES BEING REPORTED, FORD SHOULD HAVE PERFORMED A RECALL AND REPAIRED ALL THESE DEFECTIVE 3.8 LITER ENGINES. I BARELY WENT PAST THE MILEAGE ESTABLISHED BY THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT AND WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION. I AM NOT A SATISFIED FORD CUSTOMER!. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746696
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS AFTERNOON I WAS IN MY 1995 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE ACCELERATOR LOCKED AND THE THE CAR SPED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT DANGEROUS SPEEDS. AFTER DETERMINING THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW THE CAR I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER SWITCHING INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIM…
Read full complaint
THIS AFTERNOON I WAS IN MY 1995 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE ACCELERATOR LOCKED AND THE THE CAR SPED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT DANGEROUS SPEEDS. AFTER DETERMINING THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW THE CAR I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER SWITCHING INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. LAST NOVEMBER WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL HOWEVER THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #746629
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE SHORT BLOCK WAS REPLACED 2/23/98 , UNDER RECALL FOR GASKET PROBLEM THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM . MILEAGE 30577 . ON APP. 4/7/00 A COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALED . THIS INSTALLATION COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM AS THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINOUSLY LOOSE WATER FROM THE COOLINGN SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS TRIDE MANY THINGS TO FIX TH…
Read full complaint
THE SHORT BLOCK WAS REPLACED 2/23/98 , UNDER RECALL FOR GASKET PROBLEM THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM . MILEAGE 30577 . ON APP. 4/7/00 A COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALED . THIS INSTALLATION COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM AS THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINOUSLY LOOSE WATER FROM THE COOLINGN SYSTEM. THE DEALER HAS TRIDE MANY THINGS TO FIX THE PROBLEM SOME OF THEM FROM REPAIR BULLETINS AND OTHERS SUGGESETED BY REP. . I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP MANY TIMES BOTH DOCUMENTED AND SOME NOT DOCUMENTED. THE FINAL ANSWER I RECEIVED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND FORD COULD NOT SOPPORT FUTHER ASSISTANCE. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT ONCE A CAR WAS OUT OF WARENTY FORD WAS NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR TRYING TO FIX AN EXTENDE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD NOT FIXED IT DURING THE WARENTY PERIOD. THEY SAID THIS WAS A PROBLEM PECULAR TO THIS VEHICLE AND THERFORE THEY HAD DID ALL THEY COULD. BY THE WAY THE COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARENTY AND SUPOSUDLY HAD A 12 THOUSAND MILE WARENTY. I FEEL I AM STUCK WITH A BAD SITUATION. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.7*AK
NHTSA ODI #745576
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887004
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MINUTES-1 HOUR IN HOT WEATHER WHEN VEHICLE STALLED OUT. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF STALLING.*AK ENGINE HAS STALLED APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES IN HOT OR COLD WEATHER, DEALER STILL CAN NOT DUPLICATE OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING PROPERLY. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #885816
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #884702
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE MOUNTS PREMATURELY BROKE WHICH HAS CAUSED ENGINE TO RISE WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #883062
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2001
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
CONSUMER STATED BEFORE BUYING VEHICLE NOTICED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON. AFTER BUYING VEHICLE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT.*AK CONSUMER STATES MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKEN SO SHIFTING,STARTING, STOPPING OR ANY OTHER MOVEMENT IN THE CAR WOULD LIFT THE ENGINE IN AN UPWARD MOTION, THE FRONT MARKER LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE D…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER STATED BEFORE BUYING VEHICLE NOTICED THAT AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON. AFTER BUYING VEHICLE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT.*AK CONSUMER STATES MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKEN SO SHIFTING,STARTING, STOPPING OR ANY OTHER MOVEMENT IN THE CAR WOULD LIFT THE ENGINE IN AN UPWARD MOTION, THE FRONT MARKER LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AIR BAG EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE MODULE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, THE BRAKES NEEDED TO HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED, TIMING GEAR GASKET, HOOD LATCH WAS BROKEN HOOD WOULD NOT STAY DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD, ALSO SECURITY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RESET.*JB
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