NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,205 reports118,000 miles · Mar 16, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO LOW GEAR AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROPORTIONING VALVE FAILED CAUSING A RUPTURE IN …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PUT INTO LOW GEAR AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROPORTIONING VALVE FAILED CAUSING A RUPTURE IN THE BRAKE LINE AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VALVE AND BRAKE LINE ARE BEING REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10152881
65,000 miles · Mar 2, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE FAN WAS INOPERABLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01I011000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAN. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10151616
100,000 miles · Feb 17, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED. IT FAILED PREVIOUSLY ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND WAS REPAIRED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT COVERED THE SPEEDOMETER WITH PAPER. THIS MADE THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE NOT VIEWABLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED. IT FAILED PREVIOUSLY ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND WAS REPAIRED. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT COVERED THE SPEEDOMETER WITH PAPER. THIS MADE THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE NOT VIEWABLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE DOES NOT DISTRACT THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION AND THERE ARE NO PLANS TO MAKE REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #10150498
140,000 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Structure
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL NHTSA 98V323000 CONCERNING THE STRUCTURE FRAME AND MEMBERS. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS SIN…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL NHTSA 98V323000 CONCERNING THE STRUCTURE FRAME AND MEMBERS. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141327
88,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Suspension
PASSENGER REAR COIL SPRING BROKE PRIOR TO PURCHASE IN 2002 @ APPROX 61,185 MILES, DRIVER REAR COIL SPRING BROKE @ APPROX 88,000 MILES. REPAIR SHOP SENT ME TO FORD AS THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON SPRINGS. FORD DEALER SAID NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS CAR, FAILED TO MENTION THE GOV'T INVESTIGATION. NO CONSEQUENCES YET - TIME WILL TELL.…
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PASSENGER REAR COIL SPRING BROKE PRIOR TO PURCHASE IN 2002 @ APPROX 61,185 MILES, DRIVER REAR COIL SPRING BROKE @ APPROX 88,000 MILES. REPAIR SHOP SENT ME TO FORD AS THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON SPRINGS. FORD DEALER SAID NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS CAR, FAILED TO MENTION THE GOV'T INVESTIGATION. NO CONSEQUENCES YET - TIME WILL TELL. WILL REPAIR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT DIFFICULT W/O JOB. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE - IF FORD WANTS THEM THEY CAN HAVE THEM AS SOON AS THEY REPLACE & REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. SPRINGS SHOULDN'T BREAK PRIOR TO 61,185 - WHY ISN'T FORD TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS?? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140941
91,000 miles · Sep 15, 2005
Suspension
HAD BEEN DRIVING AUTO AND WHEN ENTERING PARKING AREA I HEARD A LOAD BANG AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. I STOPPED, GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT …
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HAD BEEN DRIVING AUTO AND WHEN ENTERING PARKING AREA I HEARD A LOAD BANG AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. I STOPPED, GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. AT THIS TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR DAMAGE OTHER THAN PUTTING ON TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE TO PARK THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10136574
105,000 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Exterior LightingPower Train
DT: CONSUMER COULD NOT MOVE TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO ON. ALSO, BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10131897
156,376 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Suspension
STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS HIT AND THE FRONT END DROPPED. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SAW THAT THE FRONT LEFT SPRING HAD BROKEN AND DROPPED THE FRONT END. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AT EXIT. BY THIS TIME, BROKEN SPRING HAD SEVERED THE FRONT TIRE WHICH BLEW OUT. H…
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STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS HIT AND THE FRONT END DROPPED. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SAW THAT THE FRONT LEFT SPRING HAD BROKEN AND DROPPED THE FRONT END. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AT EXIT. BY THIS TIME, BROKEN SPRING HAD SEVERED THE FRONT TIRE WHICH BLEW OUT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED HOME - MY EXPENSE. AT REPAIR SHOP, DEALER FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE BROKEN HOWEVER THE RIGHT FRONT HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME WITHOUT ANYONE'S KNOWLEDGE. HAD TO REPLACE SPRINGS, STRUTS AND SHOCKS, NEW TIRE, FRONT END ALIGNMENT, STABILIZER BAR CONTROL, BRAKE HOSE AND AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WHICH WERE ALL DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE SPRING BREAKING. LUCKILY WE WERE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND NOT CRUISING AT 65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10131868
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2005
Exterior Lighting
1995 FORD TAURAS AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE DISCOLORED SO BADLY THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. I HAVE TRIED ALL TYPES OF PLASTIC CLEANERS AND NOTHING WORKS. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO REPLACE THE LENS WITH NEW. I CALLED FORD AND THEY HAVE NO RECALL FOR THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED OTHER TAURAS' ON T…
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1995 FORD TAURAS AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE DISCOLORED SO BADLY THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. I HAVE TRIED ALL TYPES OF PLASTIC CLEANERS AND NOTHING WORKS. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS TO REPLACE THE LENS WITH NEW. I CALLED FORD AND THEY HAVE NO RECALL FOR THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED OTHER TAURAS' ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME CONDITION.
NHTSA ODI #10129580
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995, FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. CONTACT COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST HE WAS GOING BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN GETTING OFF AT THE EXIT THE VEHICLE WAS BEGINNING TO SLOW DOWN. HE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD SAW SMOK…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995, FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. CONTACT COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST HE WAS GOING BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING. WHEN GETTING OFF AT THE EXIT THE VEHICLE WAS BEGINNING TO SLOW DOWN. HE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD SAW SMOKE APPEARING FROM THE RIGHT TIRE ON THE FRONT. SOMEONE CAME UP TO HIM AND HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR HE LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE AIR INTAKE AND BATTERY MELTED. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STILL WORKED BECAUSE IT DID NOT GET INTO THE FIRE WALL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ENOUGH TIME TO SALVAGE MOST OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS UNKNOWN WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. THE DOME LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. WHEN CONTACT NOTICED THESE LIGHTS WERE ON HE TOOK THE FUSE OUT THAT CONTROLS THESE LIGHTS BUT SINCE HE WAS GOING ON A LONG DRIVE . BACK HOME HE PUT THE FUSE BACK IN TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO. THEN WHILE DRIVING HOME THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10125703
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
4RQ99017 · 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.
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