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
What owners actually said
1,205 reports
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
123,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or Other
STALLS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS FROM M30 TO 70 MPH. FORD DEALER SAYS HE CAN'T FIND ANYTHIG WRONG...
NHTSA ODI #10069331
160,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION JERKS HARD WHEN STARTING IN DRIVE. IF YOU PRESS TOO HARD ON ACCELERATOR, TRANSMISSION WILL JERK HARD. I WILL DRIVE TILL GOES OUT COMPETELY BECAUSE OF HIGH COST TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10069197
130,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
I HAVE ONE OF THOSE NOTORIOUS FORD TAURUS WITH THE AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE TRANSMISSION. IT IS A PIECE OF JUNK. WHY DIDN'T FORD STAND BEHIND THESE?
NHTSA ODI #10068924
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WIRE BROKE. ALSO, ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10052293
91,400 miles · Dec 19, 2003
Power Train
TRANS AXLE ERRATIC SHIFTING PROBLEM DEVELOPED ON MY 1995 TAURUS WAGON. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE NOT UPSHIFTING ON COLD ENGINE BUT WILL SHIFT HARD ON WARM ENGINE. ALSO INTERMITTENT DOWN SHIFT WHILE DRIVING ON DOWNGRADE AND WILL DOWN SHIFT HARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT MOMENT THIS PROBLEM STARTED. …
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TRANS AXLE ERRATIC SHIFTING PROBLEM DEVELOPED ON MY 1995 TAURUS WAGON. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE NOT UPSHIFTING ON COLD ENGINE BUT WILL SHIFT HARD ON WARM ENGINE. ALSO INTERMITTENT DOWN SHIFT WHILE DRIVING ON DOWNGRADE AND WILL DOWN SHIFT HARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT MOMENT THIS PROBLEM STARTED. DEALER REPLACE SMALL GEAR ON END OF SPEEDOMETER CABLE AND THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS ALSO TIED TO A WORN GEAR ON END OF CABLE IN TRANSMISSION. THIS REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE A COMPLETE TEARDOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE DRIVEN CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH SINCE REPAIR OF SPEEDOMETER. SHIFTING PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT WITH NO PARTICULAR PATTERN. STRONGLY SUSPECT PROBLEM ALSO INVOLVES THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL IN THE CAR COMPUTER. READ MANY SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE AND FIND IT AMAZING THAT FORD HAS NOT DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER SINCE IT WAS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAVE OWNED MANY FORD PRODUCTS AND USUALLY HAVE MANY TROUBLE FREE YEARS. MY LAST TAURUS GAVE US 119K MILE WITH LITTLE TROUBLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10050782
92,904 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED. PART HAD BEEN REBUILT; HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK ONE PART IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ENGINEERED IMPROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION PISTON WHICH CREATES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS MADE OF CAST IRON AND WON'T BREAK OR FATIGUE LIKE THE ALUMINUM ONE. THIS COUL…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED. PART HAD BEEN REBUILT; HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK ONE PART IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS ENGINEERED IMPROPERLY. THE TRANSMISSION PISTON WHICH CREATES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS MADE OF CAST IRON AND WON'T BREAK OR FATIGUE LIKE THE ALUMINUM ONE. THIS COULD CREATE A ACCIDENT WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT GEARS. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10042476
23,500 miles · Dec 2, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER SHOWS THE ACTUAL SPEED DRIVEN, NEEDLE JUMPS AROUND. COMPONENT WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP.*AK *PH
NHTSA ODI #10040256
35,000 miles · Nov 25, 2003
Power Train
NEARLY EVERY PART OF TRANSMISSION WAS WORN OUT DUE TO PUMP NOT SUPPLYING FLUID AS REQUIRED. CAR ONLY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT & HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY MY MOTHER WHO IS NOW 88 YRS. OLD. CAR ALWAYS SERVICE PER MANUAL. SERVICE MAN STATES THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FROM FACTORY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047557
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH THE NEEDLE STARTS JUMPING AROUND AND MAKES A BUZZING SOUND. *LA
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
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