RoadVitals

1992 Ford Taurus Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
217
Latest May 1, 2008
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.
32%
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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 217 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 217, in the owner's own words

EngineSteering
Filed May 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR MOUNTING ATTACHMENT FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ROAD SALT, DEBRIS, AND OTHER NATURAL MATERIALS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS. IF THE ENGINE CRADLE IS NOT SUPPORTED, A LOSS OF STEERING AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR. HE WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER PROVIDED HIM WITH A REASSEMBLY KIT, AS IF THE FAILURE WERE COMMON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN

NHTSA ID
10226384
Incident
Apr 13, 2008
Mileage
137,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

COOLANT LEAKING INTO HEAD GASKET AND PISTON/CYLINDERS CAUSING ENGINE TO VAPOR LOCK AND FREEZE. WE BOUGHT A $900 EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE, AND WE HAD TO PAY A $95.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, HANSEL FORD IN SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA SAYS THAT WARRANTY WILL NOW ONLY COVER SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE ENGINE AND NOT ALL OF THE ENGINE AS DESCRIBED IN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WE BOUGHT THE ESTATE WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN CASE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED. WE HAVE NOW NO MONEY TO PAY FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR THAT WE THOUGHT WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND BASICALLY HAVE NO RECOURSE EXCEPT TO EITHER TOW THE VEHICLE FROM HANSEL FORD IN SANTA ROSA TO OUR PLACE OF RESIDENCE IN SANTA ROSA, AND OR SELL/OT TOWED TO A JUNK YARD BECAUSE SAID WARRANTY IS OF NO USE. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE A LITTLE MORE THAN 1 YEAR. HAVE PUT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH THE WARRANTY STATES CAR IS STILL UNDER BECAUSE ITS 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS WHICH WE COME WELL UNDER THAT. IF DEALERS WOULD BE HELD MORE LIABLE, AS WELL AS THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THEY WOULD PROBABLY BACK THEIR PRODUCTS (CARS,TRUCKS ETC. BETTER.)

NHTSA ID
10069850
Incident
Dec 15, 2002
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

IGNITION MODULE FAILED IN JUNE, 2001 AT 101,377 MILES AND NOW AGAIN IT HAS FAILED AT 113,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START IN FRONT OF A BUILDING, THE SECOND TIME AT A CITY INTERSECTION AT MIDNIGHT. IN CHECKING WITH FORD CORP AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THEY HAVE NO HEAT DEFLECTOR, INSULATOR OR KIT TO MOVE THE IGNITION MODULE FROM ITS LOCATION JUST ABOVE THE ENGINE AT THE BASE OF THE DISTRIBTOR. NOW I FEEL MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NO ONE WILL EVEN OFFER A SOLUTION. DO I NEED TO FILE A LAWSUIT FOR THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF MY CAR AGAINST FORD?

NHTSA ID
10069692
Incident
Jun 15, 2001
Mileage
101,377 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE ENGINE STALLS AT IDLE AND AT A STOP HOT OR COLD NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BY MECHANICS DID NOT HELP THIS CAR IS A LEMON THEY ARE NOT KIDDING FORD DOES STAND FOR FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. SIGNED NEVER WILL BUY A FORD AGAIN

NHTSA ID
10069045
Incident
Sep 15, 2000
Mileage
60,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

HEAD GASKET/ TRANSMISSION FAILURE

NHTSA ID
10068979
Incident
Oct 15, 2003
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2003

WHEN THE VEHICLE IDLES A THUMPING NOISE IS PRODUCED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10049914
Incident
Nov 17, 2003
Mileage
72,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 2, 2003

I OWN A 92 FORD TAURUS WAGON LEFT TO ME BY MY NOW-DECEASED FATHER. HE HAD A RECALL DONE 3-99 FOR THE MOTOR MOUNT RECALL DONE. MY FATHER PASSED AWAY 12-99. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THIS MOTOR MOUNT. IT IS NOW BROKEN AGAIN. IS THERE ANY WAY THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RECTIFIED. THANKS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10045272
Incident
Oct 31, 2003
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2003

ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE. INDEPENDENT SHOP WILL REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10040502
Incident
Sep 24, 2003
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed May 31, 2003

ENGINE HAD HEAD GASKET/HEAD CRACKING PROBLEMS. AIR CONDITIONING REPLACED TWICE. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM REPAIRED TWICE AS A RESULT OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CONSTANTLY. *TT

NHTSA ID
10020824
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
Mileage
60,000 mi
EngineFuel systemInterior & seats+2 more
Filed Jan 7, 2003

CONSUMER IS AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE CONSUMER STATED FORD MAKES FAULTY CARS AND HIS CAR IS ONE OF THEM. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE DID NOT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD CONSTANT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE SEAT WAS BROKEN, THE TIRE BLEW OUT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. *JB NAR 1/22/2003

NHTSA ID
10004738
Incident
Jan 1, 2003
Engine
Filed Aug 30, 2002

HEAD GASKET FAILED; I NOW FIND OUT THIS WAS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH TAURUS CARS FROM THIS YEAR. MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE NOTIFVIED CONSUMERS BACK WHEN IT TOLD DEALERS OF THIS PROBLEM SO OWNERS COULD GET PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
766471
Incident
Aug 17, 2002
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2002

ENGINE WOULD CRANK OVER BUT NOT START---VEHICLE STALLS AT TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP

NHTSA ID
566320
Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE OVERHEATED RESULTING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED HOWEVER SEEM NOT TO HAVE A REMEDY FOR PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ID
8013243
Engine
Filed Jun 19, 2002

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLS/SLOWING FOR A STOP. NO PRIOR WARNING APPEARS ON DASHBOARD BEFORE STALLING. VEHICLE WILL RESTART. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012179
Engine
Filed Jun 18, 2002

3.8 V6 ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFROMED CONSUMER OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012075
Incident
May 15, 2002
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2002

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AND STARTING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
8008689
Incident
Apr 12, 2002
Engine
Filed Mar 6, 2002

HEADGASKET BLEW AND ENGINE HEAD WARPED ON MY 3.8L FORD TAURUS WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEND WITHIN A YEAR. MY MECHANIC TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON ON 3.8L ENGINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE NHTSA HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS.*AK

NHTSA ID
758984
Incident
Feb 8, 2002
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2002

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME/ ANY SPEED. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8004128
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
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
Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
757130
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Jan 13, 2002

FOR A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OR FIX SIGNIFICANT NUMBER ITEMS (SERIOUS SAFETY ITEMS INCLUDED!!) THAT FAILED. HOPE MANUFACTURER CAN HELP REIMBURSE COSTS. PER RESEARCH, THESE ITEMS SHOULD NOT BREAK DOWN AT THIS MILEAGE LEVEL! NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ID
756792
Incident
Jan 12, 2002
Engine
Filed Nov 6, 2001

VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES/ AT ANY SPEED. MECHANIC UNABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
898827
Incident
Nov 1, 1999
Engine
Filed Oct 31, 2001

ENGINE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ILLUMINATE, AND ENGINE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
898582
Incident
Oct 1, 1997
Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2001

ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLEWOUT AT NINETY-ONE THOUSAND MILES, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT GASKETS BLOWOUT AT OR AROUND NINETY-THOUSAND MILES, CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER FOR RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD IT DID NOT APPLY TO 1992 MODELS, CONSUMER FELT THAT 1992 MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID
897304
Incident
Sep 30, 2001
Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2001

WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME, IT'S INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER HAD TRIED TO REMEDY IT, BUT COULDN'T DO IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
896991

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

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .