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 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD OFFERED A FREE HEADGASKET REPLACEMENT FOR MY 1995 TAURUS IN A JULY18 2000 LETTER( THAT I RECEIVED IN FEB. 2002). WHEN THEY HAD THE HEADGASKET OFF THEY CALLED ME TO THE MY CAR AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE GEAR GASKET OR IT WOULD CAUSE THE HEADH\GASKET TO "GO BAD" AGAIN. WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY THE GEAR GASKET W…
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FORD OFFERED A FREE HEADGASKET REPLACEMENT FOR MY 1995 TAURUS IN A JULY18 2000 LETTER( THAT I RECEIVED IN FEB. 2002). WHEN THEY HAD THE HEADGASKET OFF THEY CALLED ME TO THE MY CAR AND SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE GEAR GASKET OR IT WOULD CAUSE THE HEADH\GASKET TO "GO BAD" AGAIN. WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY THE GEAR GASKET WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FREE REPLACEMENT THEN HAS NO ANSWER. IT COST ME $567.29 TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE GEAR GASKET. I THINK THAT THIS IS A BATE AND SWITCH. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS RIPOFF?
NHTSA ODI #10000453
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS STALL WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY THEY WON'T REPLACE IT UNLESS HE PAYS FOR IT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE…
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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS STALL WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARRANTY THEY WON'T REPLACE IT UNLESS HE PAYS FOR IT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACE. ALSO STATED THAT HE IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. TS *DT
NHTSA ODI #10001557
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING LEAKING. ALSO STATED THAT HAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THAT IS WHEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING LEAKING OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WONT FIXED THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR TH…
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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING LEAKING. ALSO STATED THAT HAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THAT IS WHEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING LEAKING OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WONT FIXED THE PROBLEM UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR THE WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE DIFFERENT ENGINES ON THE VEHICLE. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001413
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE HEAD GASKET BLEW CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO SMELL STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001388
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER THE DEALERSHIP PRIDE LINCOLN, MERCURY; LYNN MA; 781-598-3800, DID THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE 01 V 390 000, THE FAN MOTOR BROKE. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001196
35,294 miles · Nov 25, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRATICALLY, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEEDOMETER, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #8023293
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA#14673-01-1-011-000 ENGINE COOLING FAN. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GOT VERY HOT. DEALER HAS INPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022992
78,000 miles · Nov 14, 2002
Suspension
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE LEFT REAR TIRE TURNED IN AND WAS LOOSE ON THE AXLE. THE GARAGE FOUND THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BOLTS HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE OFF. RIGHT SIDE BOLTS WERE BEGINNING TO RUST AS WELL. *TT
NHTSA ODI #8022709
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE WILL OVER HEAT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA ODI #8022421
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND STARTED TO SMOKE MAKING A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS REPLACE. TS
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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