Safety ratings
1992 Ford Taurus 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
1992 Ford Taurus 4-DR. Wagon
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (6)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCampaign 97V025000 · 26/02/1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Risk: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBERCampaign 94E036000 · 25/11/1994
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Risk: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FANCampaign 97V019000 · 25/02/1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSCampaign 98V323000 · 16/12/1998
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.
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
- WHEELSCampaign 92V065000 · 11/05/1992
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Risk: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Fix: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
- STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUTCampaign 91V145000 · 04/09/1991
MANUFACTURING ERRORS BY THE SUPPLIER OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH MECHANISM MAY CAUSE THE SECONDARY PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH NOT TO FUNCTION. IF THE LATCH IS NOT IN THE PRIMARY LATCH POSITION, THE LIFTGATE COULD OPEN WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE WERE TO OPEN DURING VEHCILE OPERATION,PASSENGERS OR CARGO COULD FALL FROM THE OPEN LIFTGATE.
Fix: REPLACE MALFUNCTIONING LIFTGATE LATCHES.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING133
- POWER TRAIN70
- STRUCTURE51
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM42
- SERVICE BRAKES37
- HYDRAULIC36
- STEERING35
- VISIBILITY32
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT HOLDS LIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATED AND MELTED, CAUSING LOSS OF BACKTAIL LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS. *AK
- 12/28/1995· VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS STOPPED DEAD CENTER OBSTRUCTING DRIVERS VISION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
- 12/27/1998· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
- 12/26/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
- 12/26/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
- 12/23/2003· STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD CLUNKY NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
- 12/23/2003· STRUCTURE
MOTOR MOUNT FAILED. VIN: [XXX]. 1998 FORD TAURUS GL. CORROSION PROBLEM. SEE NHTSA RECALL NO. 98V323. ALTHOUGH THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED AND REGISTERED IN FL IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN IN NEW YORK FOR A CONSIDERABLE TIME IN THE EARLY YEARS. ALL OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND NOT JUST THE OWNERS IN THE NORTHERN STATES SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL FAILURE AND COVERED UNDER THE RECALL IT THE CARS WERE EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- 12/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. LOCAL GARAGES SEEMED TO INDICATE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL (3.8L V6). *AK
- 12/23/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE HAD 3 FORDS, GONE THRU 4 MOTOR MOUNTS ALL UNDER 50,000 MILES
- 12/23/1998· STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS CORROSION WITHIN THE STEERING, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD OR MAKING A SLIGHT TURN. *AK *ML
- 12/21/1994· VISIBILITY
HEATER HOSE FAILURE.
- 12/19/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,TIRES
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES, LIKE METAL AGAINST METAL. ROTORS WERE VERY BAD. HAD DEEP GROOVES IN THEM. CORDS WERE COMING COMPLETELY THROUGH & OUT OF TIRES. ALSO, BALL BEARS ARE WEARING OUT.
- 12/18/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HORN, IN AN EMERGENCY THE HORN IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. *AK *SLC
- 12/18/1995· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PANEL BORDERING/COVERING SPEEDOMETER IS LOOSE, AND CAN'T BE TIGHTENED. *DSH
- 12/17/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER RECALL HOWEVER THE NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED AS WELL.
- 12/16/1998· AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER HAS MOVED AND IS NOT AWARE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
- 12/16/1998· POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER DOES NOT OPERATE. THE DEALER MOVED AND IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
- 12/16/1998· SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 50-55 MPH VEHICLE SWERVED AND SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT. MANAGED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN CONTROL ON THE ROAD. DEALER MOVED AND IS NOT AWARE OF THE INCIDENT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
- 12/15/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.
- 12/14/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY
TRANSAXLE WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. L/F BRAKE PAD STAYS PARTIALLY ENGAGED RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEARING OF SAID PAD; LUCKILY, I WAS COMING TO A SLOW STOP WHEN IT GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT ANALYZED UNTIL MY SECOND FRONT BRAKE JOB WITHIN 25 0R SO MONTHS. WITH WIPERS IN USE, ACTIVATING THE TURN SIGNAL IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSES THE WIPERS TO STOP.THIS TENDS TO BRING ON A SLIGHT SENSE OF PANIC DURING A HEAVY RAIN. LIGHTS GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AT MY EXPENSEAS HAVE ALL OTHER BEFORE MENTIONED PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE WIPER ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR 4 MONTHS AND CAN'T AFFORD FIXING THIS INCONVENIENCE. *AK
- 12/13/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COMPUTER PROCESSOR IN VEHICLE HAS FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. TT
- 12/13/1995· POWER TRAIN
POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE TRANSMISSION HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. TT
- 12/11/1996· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
- 12/10/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,INTERIOR LIGHTING
HARNESS THAT HOLDS LIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATS AND MELTS, CAUSING LOSS OF TAIL LIGHTS, RUNNING,AND DASHBOARD LIGHT. *AK
- 12/09/1994· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT/REAR BRAKES OVERHEATED/FAILED, CAUSING HUBCAPS TO OVERHEAT/BURN. *SKD
- 12/08/1997· POWER TRAIN
THE PLANETARY GEAR FAILED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK.
- 12/07/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVELLING 40 MPH HEADGASKET BLEWOUT, CAUSING FLUID TO CONTAMINATE THE ALTERNATOR WHICH ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. *SLC
- 12/07/1998· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash
WHILE DRIVING HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT CAUSED SEVERE INJURIES. THE CONSUMER SET FURTHER THAN 10 INCHES AWAY FROM THE AIRBAG. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO GO FORWARD UNTO THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK.ET.
- 12/07/1998· STRUCTURE
BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAVE DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT VEHCILE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 93V106002. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 12/06/1995· STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, LOST ENGINE POWER; DIFFICULT STEERING/BRAKING; LOW SPEED; WIRE THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO EEC/FUEL PUMP BROKE. TT
- 12/05/2001· STRUCTURE
DURING INSPECTION OF VEHICLE MECHANIC NOTICED SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED TO POINT WHERE MOTOR WAS READY TO DROP. THERE IS RECALL 98V323000, BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK
- 12/05/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STICKS AT 35 MPH, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 2 DEC 2001.*AK
- 12/05/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I AM UPSET, THAT I GOT MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES, THERE IS NO OTHER REASON WHY MY GASKET CAN FAIL SO EARLY (AT 84,000 MILES). THIS IS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, AND I BELIEVE IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. THAT IS WHY IT BLEW ON ME, NOT BECUASE OF MY FAULT. IF SOMEONE CAN GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. *AK
- 12/05/1994· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PREMAUTRE BRAKE ROTOR FAILURE. *SKD
- 12/04/1998· STRUCTURE
VEHICLE WAS UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL CONCERNING A BROKEN WELDED AREA, WHICH A DEALER REPAIRED. LESS THEN THREE YEARS, WELDED AREA REPAIRS FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
- 12/04/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ENGINE.
- 12/04/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSAXLE FAILED TWICE. *AK
- 12/04/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE.
- 12/04/1996· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
- 12/03/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY PULSATE AND CAUSE VIBRATION AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, *AK
- 12/02/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN THE VEHICLE IDLES A THUMPING NOISE IS PRODUCED. *AK
- 12/01/1995· SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK . TT
- 12/01/1994· STEERING
RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FAILED, RESULTING IN STIFF STEERING/NOISE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
- 11/30/2000· STRUCTURE
CONSUMER HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR 98V-323 OF THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO MORE PARTS AVAILABLE AND THAT PARTS ARE INSTALLED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS. NLM
- 11/30/1998· VISIBILITY
THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS GET STUCK IN THE DEPLOYED POSITION WHEN TRYING TO SHUT THEM OFF. ALSO WHEN TRYING TO TURN THEM ON, THEY WILL NOT OPERATE. *AK
- 11/29/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE STALLS AT SLOW SPEED. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/29/1995· STRUCTURE
THE POWER DOOR LOCK BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED. TT
- 11/29/1994· STEERING
WORN TIE ROD ENDS, CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING. *AK
- 11/28/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
- 11/28/1994· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE CALIPERS STICK, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR ON ROTORS AND PADS. *SKD