RoadVitals

1995 Ford Taurus

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.
1,205
Latest Jun 19, 2017
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.
6
Latest Dec 21, 2001
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.
4
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.
114
65 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1,205 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Ford Taurus, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and transmission categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 129 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

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
01V390000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Dec 21, 2001
695,260 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
The risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 01S30View on NHTSA.gov
01I011000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Dec 21, 2001
695,260 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 TAURUS/SABLE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND 1995 FORD MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
The risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR ASSEMBLY AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMERS. FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002. IF THE CONSUMER HAS PAID TO HAVE THIS SERVICE DONE BEFORE DECEMBER 2001, FORD IS OFFERING A REFUND. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
98V323000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Dec 16, 1998
2,697,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 98S36View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ99017ClosedRecall Query

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING

Opened Aug 9, 1999
Closed Feb 16, 2000

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSIONLed to recall 98V094000
EA96024ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

Opened Sep 30, 1996
Closed Apr 15, 1997

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 97V019000
EA96019ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

Opened Jul 31, 1996
Closed Jan 26, 1998

EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGLed to recall 98V009000
PE96033ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

Opened May 2, 1996
Closed Sep 30, 1996

IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 97V019000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 1,205
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 19, 2017

THIS PAST SUNDAY, ON JUNE 11, 2017 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A GRADUATION PARTY AND THERE WAS A LOUD "POW" ONCE I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP. MY STEERING WAS VERY STIFF (AS IF I WAS DRIVING AN ANCIENT LARGE TRUCK WITH NO POWER STEERING, ALSO MY EXHAUST SYSTEM AT LEAST PARTIALLY CAME UNDUN. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CRIPPLED CAR TO OUR REGULAR REPAIR SHOP, WHO TOLD ME THAT I HAD A SUBFRAME RUST-COLLAPSE. I HAD TALKED TO A SHADETREE MECHANIC FRIEND, WHO SAID THAT IT WASN'T AN ACTUAL SUBFRAME COLLAPSE, BUT THE NEXT LAYER UP, THE ENGINE CRADLE WHOSE SLEEVES ARE NO THICKER STEEL THAN THE UNIBODY SHEETMETAL. ONE OF THE SLEEVES RUSTED THROUGH. SUPPOSEDLY THE ENGINE CRADLE SLEEVES ARE REMOVABLE/OR THE CRADLE ITSELF. MY MECHANIC FRIEND AND THE TOW FELLOW THAT BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO MY HOME, BOTH SAID THAT WHAT HAPPENED IS QUITE RARE, THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN INCIDENT. THE CRADLE RUST THROUGH CAUSED MY FRONT SUBFRAME TO PARTIALLY COLLAPSE AND THE ENGINE IS TILTED DOWN ON THE RIGHT-FRONT. THIS DISCONNECTED THE EXHAUST AND BOUND-UP MY RACK-AND-PINION STEERING, RENDERING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS CAR IS NOT A RUST-BUCKET, NO RUSTY BODY PANEL HOLES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE STILL WORKS! JUST THE PAINT AND CLEARCOAT ARE FLAKING-OFF. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEARCHED LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS, BUT CANNOT FIND A GOOD ENGINE CRADLE/SLEEVES. YET, THERE ARE SCADS OF GOOD TAURUS ENGINES CHEAPLY AVAILABLE. WHY DIDN'T FORD OFFER REPLACEMENT ENGINE CRADLE/SLEEVES? WAS THERE NO RECALL? I'D BET I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO!! I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS CAR FIXED! I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE SUBFRAME FALLEN AFTER THE ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE. PLEASE SEND ME AN E-MAIL ADDRESS I CAN UPLOAD THEM TO. I LOSE THIS PAGE IF I TRY TO UPLOAD HERE (4TH TIME!)

NHTSA ID
10995826
Incident
Jun 11, 2017
Mileage
136,000 mi
Body & structureEngineSuspension
Filed Dec 19, 2015

SUB FRAME.

NHTSA ID
10811222
Incident
May 1, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Jul 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNTED BOLTS FRACTURED WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNLEVELED ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME, THE FRONT MOUNT BOLTS, THE REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND THE ENGINE CRADLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 239,000.

NHTSA ID
10733557
Incident
Jul 11, 2015
Mileage
239,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 27, 2014

BRAKE LINES AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WALL FROM THE ABS PUMP RUSTED THROUGH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID AND ABILITY TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10616633
Incident
Jul 27, 2014
Mileage
92,241 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 19, 2014

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A BIG BANG CAR SLAMMED PAVEMENT BEGAN TO SWERVE. STARTED SMOKING OFF BURNED RUBBER TIRE POPPED AN CAR WAS BROKE DOWN WHEEL DANGLING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573609
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
184,568 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 13, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID
10543524
Incident
Sep 13, 2013
Mileage
111,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 13, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID
10543523
Incident
Sep 9, 2013
Mileage
111,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 23, 2013

MY 1995 TAURUS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUB-FRAME MOUNT RETAINER PLATE. THE RETAINER PLATE HAD BECOME SEVERELY CORRODED OVER TIME AND THIS CORROSION HAD WEAKENED THE RETAINER PLATE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE BOLT HEAD TO PULL THROUGH THE RETAINER PLATE. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO MOISTURE FROM NORMAL PRECIPITATION AND CONSISTENT WITH THE FAILURE DETAILED IN THE REASONS FOR RECALL SECTION OF SERVICE RECALL BULLETIN 98S36. THE FORD RECALL BULLETIN STATES THE RETAINING PLATE NUT BECOMES SEVERELY CORRODED FROM LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS AND RETENTION OF MOISTURE IN THE MOUNTS. DUE TO CORROSION, MY 1995 TAURUS EXPERIENCED THAT SAME FAILURE BUT THE CORROSION WAS NOT CAUSED BY ROAD SALTS. ALTHOUGH THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT SLOW SPEED, STEERING WAS AFFECTED. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGH-SPEED OR WHILE CROSSING A SLIGHT BUMP OR DIP IN ROAD SURFACE, STEERING COULD HAVE BECOME DIFFICULT, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A CAUSE OF CONCERN FOR OTHER 1986-1995 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES STILL IN SERVICE. BECAUSE MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REGISTERED IN ANY OF THE STATES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, MY REQUEST TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL WAS DENIED. NHTSA RECALL 98V323000 WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. HAD THIS VEHICLE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS SAFETY RECALL, THIS FAILURE WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS FAILURE IS ALSO CAUSED BY CORROSION DUE TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO MOISTURE FROM NORMAL PRECIPITATION AND NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ROAD SALTS. THUS, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 98V323000 SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO ONLY STATES WHERE ROAD SALTS ARE USED. THEREFORE, I AM REQUESTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY BE REQUIRED TO EXPAND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 98V323000 TO COVER VEHICLES REGISTERED IN STATES WHERE LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO MOISTURE FROM NORMAL PRECIPITATION IS A FACTOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521308
Incident
Jul 17, 2012
Mileage
135,267 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

02221

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER (CMP) INSTALLATION TOOL CORRECT APPLICATION. *MJ

870197

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INCORRECTLY INSTALLED GEAR DRIVEN CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLIES CAUSING SURGE, LOST OF POWER, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1336, P1309 AND P0340. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

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 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019122059.5
2018464063.7
2017444058.8
2016794062.6
20152626062.6
20142285053.9
20135819053.4
2012785046.8
20111874055.4
20102043053.0
2009640041.4
20081751150.1
20071491142.6
20063183153.4
20057741248.1
20043752258.0
20031,2234457.0
20021,4264460.8
20011,03710865.9
20001,1958964.6
19998747259.8
19985454055.2
19977705053.9
19968258053.7
1995Viewing1,2056462.3
19949235461.2
19931,55781361.8
199268161464.9
199164951463.5
199038181566.2
198956271767.9
198833362367.9
198725592670.1
198610192261.1
1985201—
1984400—
1983100—
1981201—
1977200—

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.