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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 →

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

Equipment complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFire

95 FORD TAURUS SE SOLD TO ME BY A MAJOR SATURN DEALER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001 STICKER PRICE AROUND 6,000 BEFORE TAXES ETC. TRADED IN MY PAID FOR BUICK IN GOOD CONDITION BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING THAT COULD NOT BE FIXED WITH VEHICLE HISTORY SO EASY TO ACCESS THESE DAYS, HOW COULD THIS BE OVER LOOKED BY A MAJOR CAR DEALER, SELLING TO …

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95 FORD TAURUS SE SOLD TO ME BY A MAJOR SATURN DEALER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001 STICKER PRICE AROUND 6,000 BEFORE TAXES ETC. TRADED IN MY PAID FOR BUICK IN GOOD CONDITION BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING THAT COULD NOT BE FIXED WITH VEHICLE HISTORY SO EASY TO ACCESS THESE DAYS, HOW COULD THIS BE OVER LOOKED BY A MAJOR CAR DEALER, SELLING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON NOTICE FOR RECALL FOR 8YRS.! I JUST BECAME AWARE OF THIS WARRANTY RECALL A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THIS RECALL NOTICE. I ACCIDENTLY RAN ACROSS THE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY CARD TRANSFERRED TO ME WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, CALLED THEM AND WAS GIVEN INFO THAT ANSWERED A LOT OF QUESTIONS: LAST YEAR, I SPENT EVERY DIME I COULD MAKE, BORROW, AND BEG TO KEEP THAT CAR FORM BLOWING UP, AND RUNNING SO THAT I COULD KEEP A ROOF ME AND MY CHILDREN?S HEAD , (SINGLE MOTHER WITH 2 CHILDREN IN LAS VEGAS IS SCARY ENOUGH BUT WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION I CAN?T EVEN IMAGINE. CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AT ODD TIMES AND WAY BEFORE ANY (NORMAL HEAT READING), SPEWING COOLANT AND SO FORTH ALL OVER HOSES AND CABLES AND RADIATOR CAUSING EVENTUAL EROSION OF ALL THESE HOSES ETC. SOME HOSES CAN COST UP TO $60 A PIECE! THIS OVERHEATING CONTINUED TO SIMULTANEOUSLY CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS BUILD UP OF FLUIDS(COOLANT MIXTURE)IN RADIATOR AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 117 DEGREES CAUSING EROSION OF THE SAME NATURE WITHIN THE RADIATOR, HEAD GASKET CRACKED AND REPAIRED AT THE TUNE OF $1600. STILL THE ELECTRICAL WAS OVER LOOKED BY THE SAME MECHANICS TIME AND TIME AGAIN. NEGLECT IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM IN THIS FIELD AND WOMEN ARE THE VICTIMS HERE ONCE AGAIN, HELPLESS!

NHTSA ODI #10069718

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

NAR-PER *AAJ ON 07/02/2003. *SCC THE HOSE SPLIT ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD REQUIRING THE CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE ANY AIR OR HEAT. REPAIRS CAUSED APPROX $1486.33. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A RECALL, SO SHE TOOK THE RECALL NOTICE AND THE RECEIPTS OF MONEY SPENT TO FIX THE RECALL PROBLEM TO TH…

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NAR-PER *AAJ ON 07/02/2003. *SCC THE HOSE SPLIT ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD REQUIRING THE CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE ANY AIR OR HEAT. REPAIRS CAUSED APPROX $1486.33. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED A RECALL, SO SHE TOOK THE RECALL NOTICE AND THE RECEIPTS OF MONEY SPENT TO FIX THE RECALL PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TOLD HER THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER IT. THE CONSUMER IS VERY DISSATISFIED AND NEED ASSISTANCE IN CHOOSING A GOOD WARRANTY. *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #564663

85,000 miles · Apr 6, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFire

COOLING FAN ON MY 1995 FORD TAURUS BURNED UP. I COMPLIED WITH [NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V390/FORD RECALL NO. 01S30] IN NOV. 2002. I THOUGHT THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014030

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING FROM THE DAY IT WAS DELIVERED. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH FLAKING PAINT, MISALIGNED HOOD, DOOR AND BUMPER DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL. THESE PROBLEMS WERE FIXED BY DEALER W/O CHARGE, AS WAS THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. REPAIRS FOR MUFFLER FAILURE, SWAY BAR LINKAGE FAILURE, AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE AN…

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THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING FROM THE DAY IT WAS DELIVERED. THE PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH FLAKING PAINT, MISALIGNED HOOD, DOOR AND BUMPER DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL. THESE PROBLEMS WERE FIXED BY DEALER W/O CHARGE, AS WAS THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. REPAIRS FOR MUFFLER FAILURE, SWAY BAR LINKAGE FAILURE, AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE AND STARTER MOTOR FAILURE WERE NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER UNDER ANY SORT OF RECALL. THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER AND STARTER MOTOR COST OVER $1200 TO FIX. THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS INTERMITTENT. SOME TIMES THE CAR WOULD START AND OTHER TIMES THE STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. ONE TIME THE ENGINE SIMPLY DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. STARTER MOTOR WOULD NOT ENGAGE UNTIL ENGINE COOLED DOWN AND HAD BEEN SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR TWO. THEN STARTER MOTOR WOULD WORK. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP SAID THE STARTER MOTOR PROBABLY HAD "DEAD" AREAS IN STARTER MOTOR THAT MAY BE CAUSING INTERMITTENT FAILURE. AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE ATTRIBUTED TO FAILURE OF "MOTOR MOUNTS" THAT CAUSED RUPTURE OF MULTIPLE HOSES IN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. I'VE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH SO MANY EQUIPMENT FAILURES WITH THIS TYPE OF MILEAGE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766712

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS A/C CLUTCH HUB WAS REPLACED.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #566743

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER DETERMINED ALL BELTS WERE TORN, COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8001612

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentInterior Lighting

WHEN IT IS HOT AND HUMID, THE CAR WILL JUST DIE AFTER RUNNING APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES. THE CAR WILL USUALLY RESTART AFTER SETTING 5-15 MINUTES, BUT CONTINUES TO DIE. THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND ALL POWER IS LOST. HAVE HAD TO MANY DIFFERENT MECHANICS, HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON ENGINE WITH NO RESULTS. AM TOLD THAT MANY SIMILAR…

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WHEN IT IS HOT AND HUMID, THE CAR WILL JUST DIE AFTER RUNNING APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES. THE CAR WILL USUALLY RESTART AFTER SETTING 5-15 MINUTES, BUT CONTINUES TO DIE. THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND ALL POWER IS LOST. HAVE HAD TO MANY DIFFERENT MECHANICS, HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON ENGINE WITH NO RESULTS. AM TOLD THAT MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED WITH FORD/MERCURY VEHICLES.THIS HAPPENS MORE QUICKLY WHEN RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET PROBLEM DIAGNOSED OR FIXED. I AM AFRAID OF MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #749138

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 · Oct 18, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

A/C FAILED PREVIOUS YEAR WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALER FAILED TO DETECT ANY MALFUNCTION. A/C FAILED EXACTLY 1 YEAR TO THE DAY LATER AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR A/C UNDER DEALER WARRANTY SINCE THEY HAD NOT WORKED ON THE COMPRESSOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IN HAVING SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD OWNERS I HAVE DISCOVERED A TREND…

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A/C FAILED PREVIOUS YEAR WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALER FAILED TO DETECT ANY MALFUNCTION. A/C FAILED EXACTLY 1 YEAR TO THE DAY LATER AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR A/C UNDER DEALER WARRANTY SINCE THEY HAD NOT WORKED ON THE COMPRESSOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR. IN HAVING SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH FORD OWNERS I HAVE DISCOVERED A TREND WITH PROBLEMS NOT ONLY WITH THE HEAD GASKETS, BUT ALSO WITH THE A/C. THIS APPEARS TO BE A TREND IN COMPRESSOR FAILURES WHICH LEADS TO A $900.00 REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #734641

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

TO DATE, FORD MAINTAINS THIS ENGINE IS NOT COVERED BY "SECRET WARRANTY" ALTHOUGH IT IS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE 3.8L. PERSISTENT PROBLEM OF LEAKING COOLANT. TRANSMISSION IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. A/C CLUTCH, COMPRESSOR AND WATER PUMP FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. REPLACED HEATER HOSE FOLLOWING A/C REPAIR DUE TO CONTINUED LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #731164

Official recalls

5

01V390000 · 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

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.