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
128,000 miles · Sep 23, 2011
SteeringStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ABNORMALLY TURN AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AND A DETACHMENT OF BOLTS IN THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ABNORMALLY TURN AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AND A DETACHMENT OF BOLTS IN THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10426962
124,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME MOUNT DROPPED CAUSING A CLANKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V323000 ( STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2001. THE CONTACT STA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME MOUNT DROPPED CAUSING A CLANKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 98V323000 ( STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2001. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE THERE WERE NO NEW BOLTS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA ODI #10420730
133,300 miles · Sep 18, 2010
Tires
DRIVING AT 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE BAD AND THEN THE RIGHT BACK TIRE BLEW OUT A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE TIRE WAS FAIRLY NEW AND IN GREAT SHAPE WITH GREAT TREAD STILL ALL AROUND IT. WE REPLACED THE TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356265
125,000 miles · Aug 14, 2010
Suspension
IT WAS DISCOVERED IN 2005 THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM ON MY 1995 FORD TAURUS. A PORTION OF THE COIL SLIPPED PAST THE BOTTOM SUPPORT OF THE STRUT LEAVING THE SHARP BROKEN EDGE ABOUT 1/4 INCH FROM THE TIRE. IT IS ESPECIALLY WORRISOME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THIS SHARP EDGE WILL PROBABLY PUNCTURE TH…
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IT WAS DISCOVERED IN 2005 THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN NEAR THE BOTTOM ON MY 1995 FORD TAURUS. A PORTION OF THE COIL SLIPPED PAST THE BOTTOM SUPPORT OF THE STRUT LEAVING THE SHARP BROKEN EDGE ABOUT 1/4 INCH FROM THE TIRE. IT IS ESPECIALLY WORRISOME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THIS SHARP EDGE WILL PROBABLY PUNCTURE THE TIRE IF THE COIL SPRING SLIPS FURTHER, PAST THE BOTTOM SUPPORT OF THE STRUT. THIS WOULD IMMEDIATELY STOP THE ROTATION OF THE TIRE. AS AN IMPROVEMENT TO THE SITUATION, THE PORTION OF THE BROKEN COIL SPRING NEAR THE TIRE WAS GROUND DOWN GIVING IT ABOUT 1/2 INCH CLEARANCE FROM THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRINGS HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED, BUT REPLACEMENT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 125,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON ASPHALT AND CONCRETE ROADS IN AVERAGE CONDITION. COIL SPRINGS SHOULD NOT FAIL IF A CAR IS DRIVEN USING NORMAL CARE. IT WAS DISCOVERED IN 2010 THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN NEAR THE TOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349354
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT PARTY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT PARTY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,412,622.
NHTSA ODI #10334206
74,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 1995 FORD TAURUS,FAN MOTOR FROZE, FORD SAID THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE CIRCUIT BREAKER BUT NOT THE FAN WHICH IS NOW FROZE UP AGAIN DUE TO MILEAGE (142,000). I'VE REPLACED MOTOR NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES SINCE 1997 BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT R…
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 1995 FORD TAURUS,FAN MOTOR FROZE, FORD SAID THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE CIRCUIT BREAKER BUT NOT THE FAN WHICH IS NOW FROZE UP AGAIN DUE TO MILEAGE (142,000). I'VE REPLACED MOTOR NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES SINCE 1997 BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT RECALL. ALSO I'VE REPLACED A REAR MOTOR MOUNT TWO TO FOUR TIMES SINCE 1997. A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BOUGHT OR BUILT IN CERTAIN OTHER STATES HAVE RECALLS ON WHAT SOUNDS TO BE THIS SAME PROBLEM CAUSES ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL CAUSING ACCIDENT. FORD WILL NOT FIX. COULD I GET HELP FROM YOU IN ORDER TO GET FORD TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. [XXX] *TR
NHTSA ODI #10323070
134,600 miles · Mar 22, 2010
Structure
98V323000 THIS IS THE RECALL ID I HAVE THIS CAR AND THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT IS BROKE THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE BOLT BROKE
NHTSA ODI #10321323
138,000 miles · Dec 4, 2009
SteeringStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE FELL ON THE GROUND. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE AS THE PARTS BEGAN TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 TO 10 MILES PER HOUR THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE ENGINE FELL ON THE GROUND. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE AS THE PARTS BEGAN TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS ON THE REAR CORNER OF THE SUB FRAME FELL OFF AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $617 . HE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V323000, STRUCTURE, FRAME AND MEMBERS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138000. UPDATED 12/30/09. *LJ ALSO, THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 12/30/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10294548
79,331 miles · Sep 10, 2009
Structure
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUB FRAME DETACHED, WHICH CAUSED THE SUB FRAME TO DROP.AS A CONSEQUENCE THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT, THUS AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACT…
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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUB FRAME DETACHED, WHICH CAUSED THE SUB FRAME TO DROP.AS A CONSEQUENCE THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT, THUS AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 98V323000 (STRUCTURE; FRAME AND MEMBERS). UPON CONTACT A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RANGE HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,331.
NHTSA ODI #10283568
187,300 miles · Aug 3, 2009
TiresCrash
PURCHASED 2 FIRESTONE FR 380 ON 7/21/09 AND HAD THEM PUT ON REAR.ON 7/28/09 WHILE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH SUDDENLY DRIVER REAR TIRE FAILED. PEOPLE IN CAR BEHIND REPORTED TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT AND HUB CAP FLEW OFF. DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WENT INTO DITCH AND ALMOST FLIPPED HIT MANY SMALL TREES 1 3 INCHES IN D…
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PURCHASED 2 FIRESTONE FR 380 ON 7/21/09 AND HAD THEM PUT ON REAR.ON 7/28/09 WHILE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH SUDDENLY DRIVER REAR TIRE FAILED. PEOPLE IN CAR BEHIND REPORTED TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT AND HUB CAP FLEW OFF. DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WENT INTO DITCH AND ALMOST FLIPPED HIT MANY SMALL TREES 1 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER CAR CAME TO A STOP PASSENGERS NOT HURT. *TR
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