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 · 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…
Read full complaint
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 · Aug 30, 2002
Visibility
THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE, ON ONE OCCASION IT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, HITTING CONSUMER ON THE SHOULDER. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #567303
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA RECALL 01 V 390 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 01S30 CONCERNING ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING: DEALER DOBBS FORD IN MENGHIS,TN. PHONE # 901//382-9090. REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD OVER 100,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8017607
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE SHUT OFF.CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8017094
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND WITH NO WARNING, THE HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #8017093
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ANY TIME WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED AT ANY SPEED. THIS STARTED AT 10000 MILES. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016945
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CONSUMER WAS DISPUTING CHARGES BY THE DEALER SINCE REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE AND THE DEALER MISREPRESENTED WHAT REPAIRS WERE NEEDED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A COOLING SYSTEM RECALL, THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING COOLANT IN THE RESERVOIR AND THERE WAS A SLOW LEAK FROM THE SIDE RADIATOR. *YH
NHTSA ODI #567177
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLING FAN MOTOR FROZE UP BLEW THE ENGINE , CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016646
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
IN HOT WEATHER GAS FUMES SEEP IN THE CAR, CAUSING A NAUSEOUS AND SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #765831
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Electrical System
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMER THEN RETURNED AND PLACED KEY IN IGNITION SWITCH AND IGNITION SWITCH FELL OFF STEERING COLUMN INTO DRIVER'S HAND. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. NO REASON GIVEN AS TO WHY IGNITION SWITCH FELL OFF.*AK *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
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