RoadVitals

1993 Ford Taurus Sho

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Sep 22, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 4, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Ford Taurus Sho, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance726.9%
  • Brakes415.4%
  • Body & structure311.5%
  • Electrical311.5%
  • Engine311.5%
  • Transmission13.8%
  • Fuel system13.8%
  • Powertrain (other)13.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08V051000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 4, 2008
225,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 08S01View on NHTSA.gov
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Sep 22, 2014
Crash reported

ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN SOUTH SHORE DR. IN THE TOWN OF DELAVAN IN WALWORTH COUNTY WISCONSIN AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30AM & 12:30PM. WE WERE TRAVELING EAST TO WEST WHERE WE APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN AT THE CORNER OF COUNTY ROAD O SOUTH AND SOUTH SHORE DR. TENNESSA WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND READY TO TURN LEFT ON TO COUNTY ROAD O SOUTH. WE WERE ABOUT A MILE FROM OUR DESTINATION WHICH WAS MY MOTHERS HOUSE. UPON STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN I THOUGHT I HEARD A FUNNY NOISE AND FELT SOMETHING UNDER MY FEET BUT DISMISSED IT AS NOTHING BUT AS SOON AS TENNESSA WENT TO MAKE THE TURN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND TOOK OFF TOWARDS THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROAD HEADING TOWARDS THE DITCH AND HITTING A TREE. A PASSERSBY, JOGGER SAW THE ACCIDENT AND CALLED THE POLICE. WE EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM, WE COLLECTED OUR THINGS OUT OF THE CAR AND THE OFFICER GAVE US A RIDE UP THE ROAD TO MY MOTHERS HOME, WE THEN WAITED FOR THE TOWING SERVICE TO GET IT OUT AND TOW IT TO MY MOTHERS HOUSE WHERE IT SITS TODAY. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE CAR AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE I DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME FAILED AT THAT MOMENT CAUSING THE VEHICLES THROTTLE CABLE TO STICK, AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT TO FAIL ALONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE MOTOR AND FRONT END OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE, AND A PIECE OF THE VEHICLE THAT ALSO HAD FAILED AND BROKE OFF. THE MOTOR OBVIOUSLY SUNK AS THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MOTOR FACING THE FIREWALL IS ALL TILTED BACK TOWARDS THE FIREWALL SQUEEZING ANY PART THAT MAY BE BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE FIREWALL. I HAVE BEEN UNDERNEATH THIS VEHICLE MANY TIMES AND SAW NOTHING TO RAISE A RED FLAG AND NOT TO DRIVE IT. I EVEN HAD A TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE AND MY MECHANIC HAD SEEN NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10638211
Incident
Sep 16, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 29, 2013

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO ISSUES. REACHED THE BOTTOM OF A DOWNGRADE AND PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. ENGINE REVVED BUT CAR DIDN'T ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO NOISE OR INDICATIONS FOR A PENDING FAILURE. .PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TRIED ALL GEARS AND REVERES. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. SPOKE WITH LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY COULD OFFER AND ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR COST. RENTED A U-HAUL VAN AND CAR DOLLY TO TOW IT HOME, ABOUT 400 MILES. TOOK THE CAR A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT PUMP FAILED. HAD THEM REBUILD IT AND HAS WORKED FINE SINCE. APPOX COST WAS $1750.00. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509998
Incident
Mar 15, 2010
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 29, 2013

A BROKEN BRACKET HOLDING THE THROTTLE END OF THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE ALLOWED THE CABLE SHIELD TO SLIP OUT. ONCE OUT THE CABLE SHIELD CAUGHT ON THE BRACKET AND HELD THE THROTTLE ABOUT 1/2 WAY OPEN. THIS RESULTED IN RAPID UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509993
Incident
Apr 29, 2013
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 30, 2011

1993 FORD TAURUS SHO..ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10379619
Incident
Jan 30, 2011
Mileage
137,600 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 12, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 FORD TAURUS SHO. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE UNDERHOOD FIRE. ON MARCH 5, 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD SAFETY RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 4/11/08 *CN

NHTSA ID
10220872
Incident
Jul 26, 2006
Mileage
100,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 2007

VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT SPEEDS FROM 5 TO 50 MPH ON WET ROADS OR PAVEMENT WITH LOOSE GRAVEL. ABS ACTIVATES AND VEHICLES MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10212071
Incident
Nov 14, 2005
Mileage
152,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS SHO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SWITCH THAT COULD BE DISCONNECTED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10202034
Incident
Aug 31, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 31, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS SHO. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, NUMBER 05S28. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE DOES NOT WORK ON HIS VEHICLE. THE SERVO ASSEMBLY, PART#F8ZZ9C735AA AND THE WIRING HARNESS BURNED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS OPERATIONAL. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED BY FORD. FORD STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER 2007. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 109,629. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA ID
10201617
Incident
Jul 30, 2007
Mileage
109,629 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

010107

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME REMANUFACTURED AX4S SHO TRANSAXLES USED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WILL BE BUILT WITH A UNIQUE TRIPLE CLUTCH PACK ASSEMBLY AND DRIVEN SPROCKET SUPPORT. *JB

5897

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

EXPERIENCING A SQUEAKING AND / OR POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OUTER TIRE RODS. *TT

12570

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT FRONT OUTER TIE RODS SQUEAK AND / OR POP NOISE OVER BUMPS AND / OR TURNING. *TT

5131

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING VEHICLES WITH THE AX4S TRANSAXLE HAVING AN INLINE TRANSMISSION COOLER BYPASS VALVE LOCATED IN THE COOLER LINE NEAR THE RADIATOR COOLER. *TT

12099

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLES WITH THE AX4S TRANSAXLE HAVE AN INLINE TRANSMISSION COOLER BYPASS VALVE LOCATED IN THE COOLER LINE NEAR THE RADIATOR COOLER. *MJS

985A12

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES

RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Taurus Sho by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999211149.1
1998101040.1
1997301045.0
1996241044.7
1995930—
1994112058.5
1993Viewing142051.5
1992300—
1991100—
1990400—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.