Model year record

1994 Ford Taurus

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,284 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V323000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,697,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-16
Owners notified
1999-01-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V009000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
506,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-01-21
Owners notified
1998-04-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.

Safety risk

LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V025000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
212,700
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V019000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
75,200
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-25
Owners notified
1997-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission20296,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine19275,069 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline60
Structure: frame and members43130,000 mi
Vehicle speed control43123,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition35
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system338,500 mi
Power train3184,313 mi
Unknown or other29
Air bags: frontal28
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch20150,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission20
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip17146,000 mi
Structure: body: door16
Fuel system, gasoline1586,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1480,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump14
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor14
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1460 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1350,000 mi
Suspension: front1371,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1272,826 mi
Air bags11110,540 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly11
Electrical system: ignition: switch10
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash10
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly10
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch10146,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1062,053 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly8
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8
Suspension883,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer8
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys7
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings7
Steering: rack and pinion7
Suspension: front: shock absorber7103,000 mi
Suspension: rear7
Electrical system6120,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood6
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control6
Power train: axle assembly6
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads6
Tires: tread/belt6
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor6
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5
Electrical system: wiring5157,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan5103,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter5
Seat belts: front: anchorage5
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump5
Visibility: windshield5
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4
Power train: clutch assembly4
Seats4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Steering4
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly4
Vehicle speed control: cruise control4209,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages4105,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4
Visibility: power window devices and controls4
Air bags: side/window3
Electrical system: ignition: module3
Exterior lighting370,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch3
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)3
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3
Power train: driveline: differential unit3
Service brakes, hydraulic3129,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum3
Structure3140,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers3
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments3
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3103,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2
Engine288,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2300,000 mi
Equipment2146,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights2
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2
Exterior lighting: turn signal28,927 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Parking brake: conventional2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Steering: linkages2
Tires271,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring2
Child seat1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, other1
Fuel system, other: delivery1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: controls: foot control/valve1
Service brakes, electric1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection1
Structure: body1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires: sidewall1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1
Unknown1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Wheels: rim1

The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.