1992 Ford Taurus

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.

Risk. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. REPLACE MALFUNCTIONING LIFTGATE LATCHES.

A CAR RAN A STOP SIGN, T-BONED ME ON FRONT PASS-SIDE PUSHING ME OFF THE ROAD TO THE LEFT. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, LEFT BAG BLEW SHRAPNEL CUTTING MY FACE AND INJURING MY RIGHT EYE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD TAURUS WITH GILLETTE SILVER BEAR (205/65R/15) TIRES (DOT E2URMYC2003). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT HE WOULD HAVE TO MAIL THE TIRE IN FOR INSPECTION. AFTER THE TIRE WAS INSPECTED, THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE TIRE HAD EVIDENCE OF OVER DEFLECTION. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUBFRAME BOLTS ON THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WERE COVERED WITH RUST WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 98V323000 (COMPONENT: STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS) BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HE WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER STATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

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

I BOUGHT 3 FORD TAURUS WAGONS IN 6 MONTHS AND THE SPRINGS BROKE IN ALL OF THE 3 LATEST CARS. BOTH SPRINGS BROKE WILE I WAS DRIVING ,PUNCTURING 1 TIRE. NO REPAIR MADE YET. *AK

K-FRAME(SUB FRAME)FELL. BOTH TIMES WHILE DRIVING, BUT BOTH TIMES AT LOW SPEEDS. FRAME FELL AND I COULD NOT STEER CAR. BOTH TIMES MY TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED. 1ST TIME MAY, 2006, WAS DUE TO FAULTY BUSHINGS AND WASHERS. 2ND TIME, FRAME BROKE, RUSTED, GONE. ALL AT THE PRESCRIBED LOCATION AND PROBLEM THAT LED TO RECALL. AM I DRIVING A DEATH TRAP, IS FORD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR, IS IT MY FAULT, THE TRANSMISSION GUYS FAULT OR FORDS ? PLEASE HELP ME. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS SPARED BEING ON THE OPEN ROADWAY, BUT IF I HAD AND MY FAMILY WAS WITH ME WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE AND TRANS. FALLS DIRECTLY ON THE STEERING, I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT STEER THE CAR. PLEASE SOMEONE RESPOND TO ME BEFORE SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS. THANK YOU ! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS TOO VERTICAL WHEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE BY A CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TECHNICIAN, CAUSING THE HEAD OF THE INFANT TO JERK FORWARD UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN IT WAS STOPPED UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO STATED THAT THIS SITUATION DID NOT POSE A HAZARD TO THE CHILD. THE SAFETY SEAT WAS AN EVENFLO DISCOVERY.

1992 TAURUS STEERING PROBLEM. *TS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR SUB FRAME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED AND AGREE THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA RECALL, # 98V323000 CONCERNING THE FRAME AND MEMBERS. HOWEVER, BOTH REFUSE TO REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIR.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A SNAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE IT WAS DETERMINE D THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE SWAY BAR BRACKET TORE AWAY FROM THE STRUT AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE REPAIR PERSONNEL SUGGESTED REPLACING THE SHOCK ABSORBER AND STRUT. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 94E036000. HOWEVER ,THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

DT: 1992 FORD TAURUS. THE U SHAPED HOUSING THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE RUSTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD, ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED. ALSO, THE FRONT, EMERGENCY, SERVICE AND REAR BRAKES WERE NO GOOD, THE KEY BROKEN IN THE IGNITION. THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ACQUIRED VEHICLE FROM AN AUCTION HOUSE. HE HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, AND FOUND IT WAS BAD. HE TOOK IT BACK THE AUCTION HOUSE AND HE KEPT THE TITLE. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE ODOMETER . THE INCIDENT DATE HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE REJECTED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO CAPITAL AUCTION 603-622-9058.*AK

FORD TAURUS, 1992, FRONT K-FRAME BROKE LOOSE FROM CHASSIS RESULTING IN A LOCK-UP OF THE STEERING, FORTUNATELY AT A LOW SPEED, THEREBY ENDANGERING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE WE LEARNED THAT THIS WAS NOT UNUSUAL IN THE 1989-1994 FORD TAURUS CARS. THE FAILURE OF THE STRUCTURAL MEMBER WAS CAUSED BY NORMAL RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRONT A-FRAME. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO FIND THIS DESIGN DEFECT ON THIS SITE.*AK *NM

THE VEHICLE IS A 1992 FORD TAURUS WAGON. ON JULY 26, 1996 THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE PUNCTURING THE FRONT TIRE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MIDAS FOR AN OIL CHANGE. FORD AT THE TIME SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE SO THEREFORE IT WAS REPAIRED AT MIDAS. THIS MORNING, FEBRUARY 3, 2005 THE COIL SPRINGS AGAIN BROKE PUNCTURING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE AND WILL AGAIN NEED NECESSARY REPAIRS TOTALLY APPROXIMATELY $450.00. CALLED FORD SAID THERE WERE NEVER ANY RECALLS ON THIS YEAR VEHICLE BUT INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET INDICATED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALLED NEARLY 900,000 FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE 1999, 2000, AND 2001 SEDANS STATING IN COLD WEATHER STATES SALT FROM ROADS COULD CORRODE AND FRACTURE THE CARS' FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND THEY WERE INSTALLING PROTECTIVE SHIELDS IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES. MY CONCERN IS THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS MODEL IS OLDER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS WHAT IS THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE? I WONDER WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE HAD THIS VEHICLE HAD THE COIL SPRING BREAK WHILE ON THE FREEWAY...WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR? THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE GREATLY CONCERNS US.*JB

I WAS PROCEEDING AFTER WAITING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, THEN PROCEEDED SLOWLY AND DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT; I CALLED AAA FOR SERVICE. AFTER THE CAR WAS HOISTED ONTO A FLATBED TRUCK I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME AT TWO POINTS JUST ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY BACK FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND HAD DROPPED DOWN ABOUT 6 INCHES. THE TWO MOUNTING BOLTS WERE POINTING UPWARD FROM THE CONNECTING POINTS ON THE ENGINE CRADLE. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT. THEY SAID THERE WAS $1200.00 IN DAMAGES AND THAT FORD DOES NOT HAVE A PROGRAM IN PLACE OFFERING NO-COST REPAIR OF THE FAILURE. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT. THE CAR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR THAT PARTICULAR SAFETY DEFECT AND I HAD THE REPAIR DONE IN JULY OF 1999.*AK

MY 1992 FORD TAURUS JUST CUTS OFF; THE 1ST TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT QUIT. I HAD THE CAR SERVED AND CHECKED. I'D DRIVE APPRX. 60 MILES AND IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN, THEN I WAS GOING BACK TO FLORIDA AND IT DID IT AGAIN, SO I TOOK IT TO ORANGE FORD IN ORANGE ,TEXAS AND THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS FINE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STILL COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD CUT -OFF, THIS HAPPENED A GOOD HALF A DOZEN TIMES AND I LIMPED INTO BLOUNTSTOWN, FL. WHERE I HAD MY MECHANIC KEITH LEE PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER, HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING YET THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD JUST QUIT RUNNING. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT THE MAP SENSOR, FUEL FILTER,MAIN BRAIN,THERMOSTAT AND TEMPERTURE SENSOR HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AND I MADE IT BACK TO TEXAS. THEN ON APRIL 29TH 2004 I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON HWY 290 TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND IT JUST QUIT CAUSING ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO LURCH AND I HAD TO RE-START MY CAR. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS JUST MOVING THE CAR TO A SHADY PARKING SPOT ON THE 29TH OF APRIL. I'M 60 YEARS OLD AND I ONLY HAVE THE ONE CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT MY CAR BE MAINTAINED AND I HAVE A CHILTON'S BOOK FOR MY CAR AND INSIST THAT ANYONE WHO WORKS ON MY CAR FOLLOW THE MANUALS INSTRUCTIONS TO A TEE, LIKE DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE GROUND BEFORE WORKING ON MY CAR AFTER ALL THE ENGINEERS WHO DESIGNED IT KNOW BEST. WE ARE A FORD FAMILY AND OWN A BRONCO II, AND A FORD F-350 W/ A CUMMIN DIESEL ENGIN

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH TRAILING ARM BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED ONTO THE TIRES. *AK

I HAVE OWNED THIS TAURUS SINCE, 1993-1994, IT HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT, FROM A DEALER (FLANNERY FORD). I HAVE HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, WATER PUMPS (2) (ALMOST $1,000), BRAKES AND CALIPERS(TOO MANY TO REMEMBER), STRUTS (TOO MANY TO REMEMBER), IGNITION. THIS PAST SATURDAY, WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP, BECAUSE THE INSIDE DOOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AND THE ALARM BELL (THAT DINGS WHEN YOU LEAVE THE KEY IN OR LIGHTS ON), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF THE CAR. THE ENTIRE TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED, STRUTS AND SPRINGS (THAT WAS $1,000). I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE OIL PAN REPLACED BECAUSE IT RUSTED OUT AND HAD ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED AGAIN DURING THIS PROCEDURE (THAT WAS ALMOST $1,000). I CAN ONLY REMEMBER RECEIVING 1 RECALL NOTICE AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HIS HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM SCARED HIM, ESPECIALLY DRIVING AT NIGHT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. *AK

HEAD GASKET/ TRANSMISSION FAILURE

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