Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
71
Latest Jul 28, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 681 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1992 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 71 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
The 25 most recent of 71, in the owner's own words
DT: 1992 FORD TAURUS. THE U SHAPED HOUSING THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE RUSTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD, ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED. ALSO, THE FRONT, EMERGENCY, SERVICE AND REAR BRAKES WERE NO GOOD, THE KEY BROKEN IN THE IGNITION. THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ACQUIRED VEHICLE FROM AN AUCTION HOUSE. HE HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, AND FOUND IT WAS BAD. HE TOOK IT BACK THE AUCTION HOUSE AND HE KEPT THE TITLE. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE ODOMETER . THE INCIDENT DATE HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE REJECTED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO CAPITAL AUCTION 603-622-9058.*AK
NHTSA ID
10130517
Incident
Jun 14, 2005
Mileage
154,553 mi
Electrical
Filed May 19, 2004
2 injuries reported
MY 1992 FORD TAURUS JUST CUTS OFF; THE 1ST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT QUIT. I HAD THE CAR SERVED AND CHECKED. I'D DRIVE APPRX. 60 MILES AND IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN, THEN I WAS GOING BACK TO FLORIDA AND IT DID IT AGAIN, SO I TOOK IT TO ORANGE FORD IN ORANGE ,TEXAS AND THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS FINE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STILL COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD CUT -OFF, THIS HAPPENED A GOOD HALF A DOZEN TIMES AND I LIMPED INTO BLOUNTSTOWN, FL. WHERE I HAD MY MECHANIC KEITH LEE PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER, HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING YET THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD JUST QUIT RUNNING. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THE MAP SENSOR, FUEL FILTER,MAIN BRAIN,THERMOSTAT AND TEMPERTURE SENSOR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AND I MADE IT BACK TO TEXAS. THEN ON APRIL 29TH 2004 I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON HWY 290 TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND IT JUST QUIT CAUSING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO LURCH AND I HAD TO RE-START MY CAR. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS JUST MOVING THE CAR TO A SHADY PARKING SPOT ON THE 29TH OF APRIL. I'M 60 YEARS OLD AND I ONLY HAVE THE ONE CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT MY CAR BE MAINTAINED AND I HAVE A CHILTON'S BOOK FOR MY CAR AND INSIST THAT ANYONE WHO WORKS ON MY CAR FOLLOW THE MANUALS INSTRUCTIONS TO A TEE, LIKE DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE GROUND BEFORE WORKING ON MY CAR AFTER ALL THE ENGINEERS WHO DESIGNED IT KNOW BEST. WE ARE A FORD FAMILY AND OWN A BRONCO II, AND A FORD F-350 W/ A CUMMIN DIESEL ENGINE AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM, WHICH THE ARE A 1987 & 1986 RESPECTIVELY AND STILL RUNNING WHICH WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE PROPER CARE AND MAINTENENCE.*AK
NHTSA ID
10072873
Incident
Jul 1, 2003
Mileage
58,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 22, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED ALL AROUND TOWN BUT NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. *PH THE STALLING OCCURRED DAILY. NUMBER OF FAILURES WERE TOO NUMEROUS TO COUNT. *SCC POSSIBLE IGNITION PROBLEMS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10040402
Incident
Aug 14, 2003
Mileage
137,210 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 3, 2003
THE CONSUMER EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN OF WHAT HE/SHE FEELS TO BE UNFAIR/DISHONEST TREATMENT GIVEN BY FORD. PER INVOICE, THERE WAS AN ISSUE OR CONCERN ABOUT THE IGNITION COIL(S). THE CONSUMER REQUEST MONEY BACK. MR SCC *JB
NHTSA ID
10011701
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2003
Fire reported
I OWN A 92 FORD TAURUS, AND RECENTLY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH BOARD...I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON DEFECTS FOR FORD IGNITION SWITCHES...I HAVE FOUND MANY DOCUMENTS ABOUT CLASS ACTION LAW SUITS FOR OTHER OWNERS OF FORD VEHICLES FROM 1983-1995...I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS BEING A DEFECT IN MY CAR AND BELIEVE THAT FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRE IN MY DASHBOARD...I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS STILL POSSIBLE FOR RECALLS/DEFECTS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10010715
Incident
Mar 14, 2003
Mileage
146,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 11, 2002
Fire reported
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT INDICATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CONTACT DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ID
8005312
Incident
Mar 5, 2002
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 26, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS BLOW A FUSE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.*AK. CONSUMER STATED CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND TRIES TO OVER COME BRAKES WITH ACCELERATION.*SLC
NHTSA ID
8004586
Incident
Feb 19, 2002
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 2002
Fire reported
CAR BURNED UP. *AK
NHTSA ID
758407
Incident
Feb 17, 2002
Electrical
Filed Feb 15, 2002
CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM WAS PUBLISHED STATING THE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS FAULTY.
NHTSA ID
9006074
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Feb 12, 2002
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE WHITE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF TAILPIPE. HEARD POPPING NOISE, ALSO WATER AND ANTIFREEZE WAS COMING FROM TAILPIPE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN.*AK BLOWER FAN BLADE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. CUSTOMER STATES TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES UP, LOW ON WATER AND LOOSING COOLANT. DEALER REPLACED RADIATOR, WATER PUMP AND SERPENTINE BELT. BRAKES ARE GRINDING. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKES HAD TURNED ROTORS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT
NHTSA ID
8003937
Incident
Dec 5, 1999
Electrical
Filed Oct 26, 2001
FUSES KEPT BLOWING AND VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING, CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNED OUT.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ID
898304
Incident
Jun 5, 2001
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 26, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
743068
Incident
Jul 26, 1995
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 6, 2001
THE STARTER DOES NOT RETURN TO POSITION CAUSING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE VEHICLE (RADIO, LIGHTS AND FAN), THE STARTER WAS RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE. NLM
NHTSA ID
785328
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jan 3, 2001
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ID
877324
Electrical
Filed Dec 26, 2000
IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE STALLS AND HESITATES. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MAIN CHIP OF THE COMPUTER. *AK THE MANUFACTURER HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM BUT DECLINES TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR. *YH
NHTSA ID
876946
Incident
Jan 1, 1993
Electrical
Filed Nov 29, 2000
VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEED. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ID
875677
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Electrical
Filed Nov 28, 2000
IGNITION SWITCH SPINS FREELY AND THE KEY WILL NOT GO INTO IGNITION EASILY, WHEN THE KEY FINALLY FITS THE CAR WILL NOT START, VEHICLE STALLING HAS BEEN OCCURRING. *MJS
NHTSA ID
557626
Electrical
Filed Oct 16, 2000
ONGOING STALLING PROBLEM. BELIEVED PROBLEM MAYBE DUE TO TFI MODULES. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ID
873053
Incident
Feb 15, 2000
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2000
INTERMITTENTLY IN HOT CLIMATE VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ID
872862
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2000
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD, REGRADLESS OF WHAT SPEED, VEHICLE JUST DIES WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL START AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES. SOMETIMES VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLS NUMEROUS TIMES AND REPLACING THE DISTRIBUTOR AS POSSIBLE CAUSE DID NOT GET RED OF THE PROBLEM. *YH
NHTSA ID
871825
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2000
THIS VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT ALSO HESITATES WHEN BEING DRIVEN. I AM REPORTING THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT A RECALL IS UNDER CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ID
731594
Electrical
Filed May 25, 2000
Fire reported
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE (POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FAILURE). *SLC
NHTSA ID
783959
Incident
Jan 30, 2000
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Feb 22, 2000
CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE RECALL WORK PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS AND DEALERSHIP PROBLEM.(SPEED CONTROL) *MJS
NHTSA ID
551009
Incident
Jan 13, 2000
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 28, 2000
Fire reported1 death reported
I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN ONE MONTH. I BOUGHT IT FROM AN AS-IS DEALER WITH ONE-YEAR WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION. WE FOUND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON JANUARY 21, AND HAD MY CAR CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. THE REPORTED PROBLEM WAS POWER STEERING LEAKING AND THEN THE RELATED PRESSURE AND RETURN HOSES WERE REPLACED. IT SEEMED OK. BUT ON JANUARY 26, MY CAR WAS SUDDENLY ON FIRE WHEN WE WERE DRIVING WITH OUR TEACHER. WE HAD TO CALL 911 TO SMOTHER THE FIRE. MANY WIRINGS WERE DAMAGED, THUS THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN ANYMORE. AND LATER WE STILL FOUND THE POWER STEERING LEAKING. IN BOTH CASES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DEMONSTRATED EVERYTHING WAS OK EVEN WHEN THREE PERSONS WERE ON FIRE! IS THE AUTO SAFE? COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO FIND AN AUTHORIZED OFFICE IN RENO, NV TO INSPECT THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FIRE? THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ID
718006
Incident
Jan 22, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jan 27, 2000
Fire reported
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD AREA. AFTER DRIVER PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SPARKES STARTED COMING FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN AREA, AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE SAFELY. THE WHOLE INTERIOR WAS BURNED, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ID
855603
Incident
Jan 6, 2000
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own