RoadVitals

1994 Ford Taurus Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
26
Latest Jan 13, 2002
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.
3%
of 923 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.
2
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 steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1994 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 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 steering

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

Browse every complaint
ElectricalEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Jan 13, 2002

CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE PURCHASE/ AUTO REPAIR SAID MAIN HEAD/GASKET COMMON FAILURE - FORD SHOULD ASSIST WITH COSTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
756780
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Steering
Filed Jun 7, 2001

THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER HAD WORK DONE ON THE STEERING COLUMN, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL DAMAGES. NLM

NHTSA ID
561507
Incident
May 18, 2001
Steering
Filed Apr 30, 2001
Crash reported

ON APRIL 24, 2001 WHILE DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT A SPEED OF 60- MPH, A VALVE FELL OFF THE RACK AND PINON AND I COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP IN SOME NEARBY BUSHES AND MY PASSENGER AND I ESCAPED WITHOUT SERIOUS INJURY. I AM EXTREMELY ANGRY AND CONFUSED BY THIS ENTIRE INCIDENT. MY TAURUS HAS JUST OVER 58,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1994. *AK

NHTSA ID
744738
Incident
Apr 24, 2001
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 6, 2000

ACTUAL HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURED OVER 2 YEARS PRIOR TO REPORTED DATE WAS ABLE TO GET BY, BUT THE OIL LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON WHEN THE ENGINE GETS TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND THE CAR IS IDLING. FORD PUT OUT CARS WITH DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIMIT THE WARRANTY. IF IT FAILS, THEY SHOULD PAY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PARTS- I UNDERSTAND THAT ABOUT 750,000 OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURED- FORD SHOULD PAY FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS.

NHTSA ID
725029
Incident
Jul 5, 2000
Body & structureElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Jun 12, 2000

THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WERE MISALIGNED. YH

NHTSA ID
552588
SteeringTransmission
Filed Mar 9, 2000

TRANSMISSION FAILURES (2ND NOW) INCLUDE INTERMITTENT NEUTRAL CONDITIONS AT 65 MPH. STEERING PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT MY DEALER HAS YET TO ,BUT IS REPRODUCIBLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
719894
Incident
Oct 30, 1997
BrakesInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Dec 7, 1999

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE. YH

NHTSA ID
549862
Body & structureBrakesEngine+5 more
Filed Oct 27, 1999

HEAD GASKET,TIMING CHAIN COVER AND WATER PUMP FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE OF COOLANT. YH

NHTSA ID
549289
Incident
Sep 16, 1999
Steering
Filed Oct 15, 1999

THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
850885
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Sep 24, 1999

THE FUEL PUMP ON THESE CARS IS WOEFULLY INADEQUATE AND IS FORCED TO WORK TOO HARD. THUS, IT BURNS OUT THE MOTOR VERY EASILY. THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS ARE A JOKE - AGAIN, WOEFULLY INADEQUATE. ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME, I'VE HEARD OF SEVERAL TIE ROD ENDS SUFFERING CATASTROPHIC FAILURES WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE THESE PARTS FOR THE TAURUS.

NHTSA ID
711969
Incident
Sep 1, 1999
Steering
Filed Sep 15, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING IS VERY HARD AND DIFFICULT WHICH AFFECTS CONTROL. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
847782
Incident
Aug 1, 1999
EngineSteering
Filed Aug 17, 1999

BODY MOUNT HAD CORRODED. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION TO DROP. WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED. THE RACK & PINION ON THE STEERING WAS LOST. HAD NO CONTROL. VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC. *AK

NHTSA ID
845241
Incident
Jul 7, 1999
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Aug 14, 1999

POWER WIRE FROM CABLE TO STARTER FAILED. *ET

NHTSA ID
782842
Incident
Jun 1, 1999
SteeringTransmission
Filed Jul 6, 1999

THIS CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND PROBLEMS THE MOST RECENT THE TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS TO BE CONSIDERED A WELL MADE CAR AND HOPE IT WILL NOT CONTINUE TO COST ME MORE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS OTHER THA ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I BELIEVE THIS CAR COULD VERY WELL BE CONSIDERED A LEMON.

NHTSA ID
708288
Incident
Feb 20, 1995
Steering
Filed May 19, 1999

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE STEERING GEAR BOX. IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP CONTROL OF STEERING VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
838168
Steering
Filed Apr 15, 1999

SWAY BAR END LINKS AND TIE ROD ENDS FAILED.

NHTSA ID
545014
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 18, 1999

IGNITION SWITCH BROKE, AND STEERING WENT OUT ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT VEHICLE OUT OF REPAIR SHOP FOR A RECALL REPAIRS. ALL PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN WHEN CONSUMER GOT VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
835956
Incident
Mar 17, 1999
EngineSteering
Filed Mar 2, 1999

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA ID
544220
Incident
Feb 23, 1999
Steering
Filed Nov 24, 1998
4 injuries reported

POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED, HOWEVER VEHICLE STILL HAS POOR STEERING. *AK.ET.

NHTSA ID
831270
Steering
Filed Nov 2, 1998

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TIE ROD END. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR STARTED PULLING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAN FROM WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS STEERING. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO VIEW THE TIRE, THE TIRE WAS GOING ALMOST IN AN HORIZONTAL POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
829964
Incident
Nov 1, 1998
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Aug 26, 1998

FUEL FILTER REPLACED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA ID
539386
Incident
Dec 12, 1994
BrakesElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Jul 11, 1997

STEERING WHEEL CATCHES ON TURNS.

NHTSA ID
519353
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting+3 more
Filed Jun 17, 1997

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ID
518675
Incident
May 10, 1997
Steering
Filed Mar 11, 1997
Fire reported

OWNER STATES THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE ENGINE, OWNER NOTES THAT HER FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, THEIR WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
809847
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 28, 1995

MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRIFT LEFT AND RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
483435
Incident
Jul 13, 1995

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

Engine292Transmission234Electrical74Body & structure64Driver assistance61Brakes59Fuel system50Exterior lighting47Suspension45Powertrain (other)42Airbags38Visibility31Interior & seats26Heating & air conditioning12Seat belts12Tires & wheels11

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .