Model year record

1994 Ford Taurus

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

Ford Taurus, 1992–1995 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1995 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Ford Taurus model years

All Ford Taurus recalls by year

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.