RoadVitals

1995 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.
356
Latest Dec 19, 2015
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.
30%
of 1,205 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.
28
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

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 1995 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 356 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 356, in the owner's own words

Body & structureEngineSuspension
Filed Dec 19, 2015

SUB FRAME.

NHTSA ID
10811222
Incident
May 1, 2014
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
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 17, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE HOOD, COVERING THE WINDSHIELD. THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED HAT THE RADIATOR AND ELECTRONIC WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 19,000.

NHTSA ID
10475606
Incident
Aug 6, 2010
Mileage
19,000 mi
Body & structureEngineTransmission
Filed Mar 31, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 1995 FORD TAURUS,FAN MOTOR FROZE, FORD SAID THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE CIRCUIT BREAKER BUT NOT THE FAN WHICH IS NOW FROZE UP AGAIN DUE TO MILEAGE (142,000). I'VE REPLACED MOTOR NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES SINCE 1997 BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT RECALL. ALSO I'VE REPLACED A REAR MOTOR MOUNT TWO TO FOUR TIMES SINCE 1997. A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BOUGHT OR BUILT IN CERTAIN OTHER STATES HAVE RECALLS ON WHAT SOUNDS TO BE THIS SAME PROBLEM CAUSES ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL CAUSING ACCIDENT. FORD WILL NOT FIX. COULD I GET HELP FROM YOU IN ORDER TO GET FORD TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ID
10323070
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
Mileage
74,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2008

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A HOT DAY ENGINE STALLED. WOULD NOT START. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT STARTED AND WOULD ONLY ROUGH IDLE. AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS CAME BACK AND CAR STARTED AND RAN FINE. DID THIS ONCE A COUPLE YEARS AGO WITH WIFE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10242215
Incident
Aug 30, 2008
Mileage
69,750 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 15-20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND A LOSS OF STEERING. THE ENGINE FELL AND LANDED ON THE STEERING RODS, WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS NOT WORTH THE REPAIR, AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND INVESTING MONEY INTO THE VEHICLE. A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT A LOCAL MIDAS INSTALLED A NEW MUFFLER. THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS LISTED FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE AND FORD WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE RECALL FOR THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT IN REALITY, THERE WERE SIX. FORD ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL ON OCTOBER 6, 1999. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE OR HAVE ANY REPAIRS PERFORMED AT THE LOCATION THEY CLAIMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,013. UPDATED 08/04/08 *BF UPDATED 08/07/08

NHTSA ID
10234828
Incident
Jul 7, 2008
Mileage
103,013 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2008

1995 FORD TAURUS 3.8L STATION WAGON WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON IT BLEW THE HEAD GASKET. TODAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2008 WE CALLED BOB DAVIDSON FORD IN TOWSON, FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND FORD EXECUTIVE OFFICES, WHO ALL SAY THEY WILL NOT GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR IS, IT ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. FORD SHOULD PAY TO FIX THE CAR OR GIVE SOME DECENT SORT OF ALLOWANCE TO HELP COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN REGULARLY OVER THE YEARS, GENERALLY SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK, BUT NOT FAR, BECAUSE THE OWNER IS ELDERLY. IF IT WAS DRIVEN BY A YOUNGER PERSON, THE PROBLEM WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP YEARS AGO, WELL WITHIN THE 7 YEAR WARRANTY FORD GAVE FOR THIS PROBLEM UNDER FORD SERVICE CAMPAIGN 00M09. WE WANT FORD MOTOR TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. WE ARE WAITING FOR AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE HEAD GASKET FROM BOB DAVIDSON FORD IN TOWSON MD. WE DO NOT EVEN KNOW YET IF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN DAMAGED. IT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR FORD TO REFUSE TO COVER THIS KNOWN DEFECT. WE ARE PLANNING TO WRITE DIRECTLY TO CHAIRMAN WILLIAM CLAYTON FORD ABOUT THIS. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY GUIDANCE YOU CAN GIVE US. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218130
Incident
Feb 14, 2008
Mileage
28,400 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. HE STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND AS OF AUGUST 1, 2007, IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,859 MILES. RETURNED USPS, 2ND ATTEMPT MADE 08/28/07 FAILED. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10198217
Incident
Mar 20, 2007
Mileage
120,859 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2006
Fire reported

1995 TAURUS FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN BLACK SMOKE STARTED EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER BEFORE THE VEHICLE BECAME TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONSUMER SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT HER VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR A FAULTY COOLING FAN WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE COOLING FAN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE BECAUSE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS SO BADLY DAMAGED THEREFORE THEY PROVIDED THE CONSUMER WITH NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10155149
Incident
Nov 27, 2005
Engine
Filed Mar 2, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE FAN WAS INOPERABLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01I011000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAN. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10151616
Incident
Mar 1, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 5, 2005

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN I EXPERIENCED AX EXTREME OVERHEATING CONDITION. OVER COURSE OF LESS THAN 2 MINUTES TIME MY VEHICLES TEMPERATURE GUAGUE PROGRESSED FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE NORMAL RANGE ALL THE WAY UP PAST THE RED ZONE ABOVE NORMAL. AT TIME OF OCCURENCE IT WAS A COLD DAY OUTSIDE AND I WAS LESS THEN 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE HAVING DRIVEN VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 MINUTES SO I WAS FAIRLY CERTAIN EXTERNAL FACTORS COULD NOT HAVE EXPLAINED THIS DEGREE OF RAPID ENGINE OVERHEATING. THIS OVERHEATING WAS ACCOMPANIED BY EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF THICK WHITE BILLOWING SMOKE EXITING FROM MY EXHAUST PIPE (SEVERE TO THE POINT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT MY REARVIEW MIRROR. UPON GETTING THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE AND ALLOWING IT TO COOL OFF I INSPECTED THE RADIATOR AND FOUND IT TOTALLY VOID OF COOLANT AND PRECEEDED TO REFILL IT WITH OVER 6 LITERS OF REPLACEMENT FLUID. UPON INSPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE I WAS ABLE TO ASCERTAIN THAT NO COOLANT HAD LEAKED FROM MY VEHICLE AND FINALLY UPON INSPECTING THE OIL WITHIN THE VEHICLE I NOTED THE ENGINE OIL WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT/WATER RESULTING IN A THICK WHITISH MILKY APPEARANCE. UPON CONSULTING A MECHANIC AND HAVE SOMEONE COME TO MY HOUSE TO LOOK AT THE CAR IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. AT THIS TIME I AM UNCERTAIN AS TO THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO THE CORE ENGINE ITSELF.

NHTSA ID
10119962
Incident
May 1, 2005
Mileage
78 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 2, 2005

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE OIL CHANGED IN HIS 1995 FORD TAURUS THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE EPOXY COATING COVERING THE ENGINE OIL PAN FAILED AND CAME OFF. AS A RESULT THE PAN WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. *NM WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDMETER NEEDLE SUDDENLY MOVED BACK AND FORTH VERY FAST*NM

NHTSA ID
10113793
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 24, 2005

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' FORD TAURUS 1995 RECALLED THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLING CIRCUIT BREAKER. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR AND FAN, BUT NEVER INSTALLED THE BREAKER. THE DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER SHOP. AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON JUNE 11. 2002 THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON JUNE 28, 2002. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC WHO PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK, STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A CRACKED HEAD FROM OVERHEATING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FAN MOTOR DID NOT CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE LEARNED OF A RECALL REGARDING THE HEAD GASKET WHICH THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY FOUND THE FAN MOTOR AND CIRCUIT BREAKER NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THEY DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN, AND THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10113433
Incident
Jun 28, 2002
Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2005

BALL BEARINGS IN ENGINE FAN MOTOR, IDLER PULLEY, AND BELT TENSIONER ALL CEASE, OR SHRED INTO METAL BITS. ENGINE FAN FAILS, CAUSING OVERHEATING, PULLEY AND TENSIONER FAIL AND FALL OFF THE CAR, CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICITY, POWER STEERING AND WATER PUMP, CAUSING MORE OVERHEATING, PLUS A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110428
Incident
Jan 31, 2005
Engine
Filed Nov 30, 2004

VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A NEW RADIATOR WAS NEEDED, AND REPLACED IT. CONSUMER PAID $300.00 FOR REPLACEMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10101855
Incident
May 30, 2004
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 8, 2004

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE COMPUTER/ COIL, AND DISTRIBUTOR REPLACED. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10099564
Incident
Sep 7, 2004
Mileage
96,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2004

AFTER FORD RECALL REPLACED HEAD GASKET DUE TO LEAKING COOLANT INTO FRONT 3 CYLINDERS OF 3.8 ENGINE, ENGINE STARTED USING OIL (QUART EVERY 600 MILES), CAUSING FRONT PLUGS TO FOUL AND BAD ENGINE PERFORMANCE. PLUGS MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 5000 MILES TO KEEP ENGINE PERFORMANCE EVEN BARELY ADEQUATE. FORD DEALERSHIP DENIES FAULT. ALL I KNOW IS THAT SOMETHING WENT WRONG AFTER GASKET WAS REPLACED. CAR NOW HAS 64000 MILES. FORD= FIX OR REPAIR DAILY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10086999
Incident
Aug 16, 2004
Mileage
56,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 15, 2004

ENGINE IS OVER HEATING. MANUFACTURER IS CONDUCTING A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT INCLUDING THE COOLING FAN. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE VIN, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10082114
Incident
Jul 15, 2004
Mileage
101,850 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM.*MR THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF RECALL ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE HEAD GASKET. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PERFORMING THE RECALL A BOLT BROKE OFF IN THE ENGINE. THE BOLT COULD NOT BE REMOVED, SO FORD AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. ON MAY 9, 2004 SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL MONTHS EARLIER. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT HEAD GASKET ON THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS FAILING. IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE REPALCEMENT ENGINE DID NOT HAVE A QUALITY HEAD GASKET INSTALLED.

NHTSA ID
10081826
Incident
Feb 12, 2001
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2004
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, MOSTLY ON THE LEFT SIDE. THERE WERE ENGINE COMPONENTS LYING ON THE DRIVEWAY. (SOME OF THE WIRES WERE MELTED) *AK THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COOLING FAN #97V019000. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10071799
Incident
Mar 31, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2004

E-MAIL FM JAMIE PHILLIPS (TN) OPPOSED AUTO MFRS BEING ALLOWED TO HAVE SECRET WARRANTIES FOR HIDDEN DEFECTS & RECALLS, SHE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS W/ THE HEAD GASKET ON HER 1995 FORD TAURUS, REPLY TO WASH, DC OFC. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10068693
Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2004

WHILE DRIVING MY FORD TAURUS(3.8L), THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WENT ALL THE WAY UP. UPON INVESTIGATION SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE COOLING FAN. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SUNRISE FORD, WHO DENIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY WELL KNOWN RECALL (01V390)

NHTSA ID
10066127
Incident
Apr 11, 2004
Mileage
112,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 13, 2004

REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR MOTOR, FAN AND FUSE ASSEMBLY PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *PH *LA

NHTSA ID
10066606
Engine
Filed Mar 2, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND COOLANT SPILLED INSIDE THE ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061170
Incident
Mar 2, 2004
Mileage
88,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 20, 2004

MY 1995 FORD TAURUS WITH 3.8 LITER ENGINE HAS EXPERIENCED HEAD GASKETS FAILURES TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADMITTED THAT THE DESIGN WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE SECOND TIME OCCURRED 28,000 MILES LATER, ON THE NEW ENGINE. NOW THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DESIGN THAT IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A VERY DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE FROM A MAJOR MANUFACTURER. THIS EXPLAINS WHY THEY ARE LOSING MARKET SHARE AND CUSTOMERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10058582
Incident
Feb 2, 2004
Mileage
87,500 mi

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 .