1993 Ford Taurus

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 1,557 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 8 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

65 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles; the median is 105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine371
120
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline125
0141
Power Train › Automatic Transmission98
101
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs87
101
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer67
100
Exterior Lighting › Headlights59
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch45
000
Structure › Frame and Members44
000
Electrical System › Ignition44
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System35
010

8 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Structure › Frame and Members98V323000
Filed Dec 16, 19982,697,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs98I002000
Filed Jun 24, 1998281,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. FORD IS PROVIDING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH THE YEAR 2001 FOR REPLACEMENT OF FRON TSPRINGS DUE TO FRACTURE. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.

Risk. THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CUSTOMERS WITH VEHICLES THAT HAVE BROKEN SPRINGS ARE TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE FOR SPRING REPLACEMENT. BOTH SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED EVEN IF ONLY ONE SPRING IS FRACTURED.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs98V094000
Filed May 6, 1998281,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.

Risk. THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch98V009000
Filed Jan 21, 1998506,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.

Risk. LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.

Vehicle Speed Control97V025000
Filed Feb 26, 1997212,700 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan97V019000
Filed Feb 25, 199775,200 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber94E036000
Filed Nov 25, 199498,000 vehiclesMonroe Auto Corp.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip93V023000
Filed Jan 4, 1993212 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Sep 12, 201465,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S HANDS BECAME STUCK TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOTICED A DARK YELLOW GLUE OR PASTE LIKE SUBSTANCE COMING OUT OF THE SEAMS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/30/14*CN UPDATED 4/27/2015 *JS

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 26, 201377,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Nov 6, 2012160,000 milesCA

HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. FIDDLED DESPERATELY WITH THE ON/OFF SWITCH & GOT THEM TO COME BACK ON. WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES ... DISCOVERED TURNING OFF AND BACK ON FIXED. SUSPECTED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE HEAT. OVER THE TWO MONTH, RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO. ALSO FOUND THAT USUALLY PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE SWITCH ITSELF AND JIGGLING WOULD BRING THEM BACK, AND DISCOVERED I COULD HOLD THE HIGH BEAMS ON. FINALLY SEARCHED HERE AND FOUND 98V009000, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM. HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER ... BUT GAVE THEM RECALL 98S01 (FOUND ELSEWHERE WHEN LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PART WHEN I HAD DECIDED THAT IT MOST LIKELY WAS IN THE SWITCH). *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 8, 2010105,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE FRACTURED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING HIM TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME HAD CORRODED CAUSING IT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 1, 2010162,036 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT A WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS THE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE HE NOTIFIED A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 162036.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Nov 28, 2008119,000 milesOH

I PULL IN THE DRIVEWAY IN MY 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I PULLED THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE TO SEE HOW I COULD SHUT IT OFF. THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. AS IT WAS BUILDING RPM'S SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER NEATH THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO LIFT THE HOOD TO PULL SOME WIRE TO DISCONNECT THE ENGINE. AS I STARED TO LIFT THE HOOD THE CAR TOOK OFF IN REVERSE AT A HIGH SPEED. IT WENT FIFTY FEET AND TURNED RIGHT HIT A ELECTRIC POLE AND SLAMMED INTO A HOUSE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Oct 3, 200886,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THROUGH THE TOLL PLAZA, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT EXITED OFF THE INTERSTATE AND APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT THIRTY SECONDS LATER. SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CABLE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STUCK. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT WAS ALREADY BEING REPAIRED BY HER MECHANIC. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS STUCK WHICH CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO SATY OPEN. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 29, 200859,630 milesFL

I BOUGHT MY 1993 FORD TAURUS 3 MONTHS AGO..IT HAS 59K ON IT...ONE WEEK AFTER BUYING IT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON..WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALERSHIP THERE COMMENT WAS.."WELL THINGS GO WRONG DAILY WITH USED CARS..I DRIVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN THE LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE CHANGED ALL THE SENSORS..HAD A TUNE UP..RADIATOR FLUSH..JUST TO MENTION A FEW THINGS...HAD NEW MOTOR MOUNTS PUT IN TOO..ALL OF WHICH HAS COST ME WELL OVER 700.00...I CALLED FORD WHEN I NOTICED THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL IN WHICH I WAS INFORMED THEY WOULDN'T DO A THING..I CAN ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTS SMELLING HOT..THOUGH WITH THE NEW THERMOSTAT IT NEVER REGISTERS ITS OVER HEATING..TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HAD A COMPUTER CHECK DONE..BUT WOULDN'T U KNOW LIGHT WOULDN'T COME ON SINCE IT WAS JUST SITTING. SEEMS IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD..AGAIN TOLD THE DEALERSHIP...THEY KEEP SAYING MUST BE A CENSOR..WHICH SEEMS TO ME THEY KNEW THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME..YET DIDN'T DISCLOSE THAT PART..WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I WAS SOLD A LEMON..AND FORD WILL NOT HONOR THERE RECALLS ON IT..SO SEEMS IM DOOMED..IM ON DISABILITY AND CANT AFFORD ALL THESE REPAIRS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE.. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 9, 2008150,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS FAILED AND THE SWAY BAR WAS DAMAGED. PRIOR TO THIS INFORMATION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98I002000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jun 4, 200842,988 milesFL

THERE ARE ALOT OF RECALLS ON MY CAR AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 16, 200859,963 milesFL

THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE COMES INSIDE MY CAR...MAKING IT HOTTER ON THE INSIDE THAN OUTSIDE..DRIVING IT YESTERDAY THE A/C FAN FROZE UP CAUSING IT TO SMOKE AND WAS UNDRIVABLE. JUST HAD IT IN FOR A MAJOR TUNE UP A WEEK AGO YET STILL THIS PROBLEMS OCCURS.. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 26, 200896,000 milesWI

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE RIGHT SIDE SPRING BROKE. I PARKED THE CAR AND IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS I REPLACED THE WHOLE STRUT . WHEN I WAS DONE I TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND WENT ABOUT TWO BLOCKS AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING BROKE. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Jan 16, 2008106,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE FRONT SUSPENSION FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V094000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 8, 2008113,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SUBFRAME OF THE REAR CORNERS FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK AND NEARLY RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) IN 1999. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Nov 20, 2007157,815 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED TO THE LEFT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000) AND REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE RECALL. AS OF NOVEMBER 20, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,815.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Sep 24, 2007192,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V009000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 192,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jun 28, 2007170,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. ON MAY 30, 2007, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH LED TO THE VEHICLE BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE LOT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SUSTAINED DAMAGE AS WELL AS THE ITEMS THAT WERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AND CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THE SHERIFF'S REPORT. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 170,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 8, 200770,000 milesOH

1993 HEAD GASKET WENT BAD WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Apr 26, 200770,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE RECEIVEDE RECALL REGARDING THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO DIM FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE, BUT FORD STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 130,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 29, 200663,890 milesIL

BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON 1993 FORD TAURUS WITH 3.8L ENGINE WITH 63,890 MILES. TOTAL REPAIR $2008.12. *JB

20 of 1,557 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201915200Routine
201849410Routine
201744400Routine
201681410Routine
2015275610Above average
2014229510Above average
2013583960Above average
201278530Routine
2011187421Fatalities reported
2010204352Fatalities reported
200964010Routine
2008175170Routine
2007149100Routine
2006318341Fatalities reported
20057741102Fatalities reported
20043752132Fatalities reported
20031,2234122Fatalities reported
20021,4264110High concern
20011,03710155Fatalities reported
20001,1958251Fatalities reported
19998747164Fatalities reported
19985454144Fatalities reported
19977705124Fatalities reported
19968258121Fatalities reported
19951,2056542Fatalities reported
19949235233Fatalities reported
1993 — this page1,5578493Fatalities reported
19926816212Fatalities reported
19916495210High concern
19903818230High concern

Compare every Taurus year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 16, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.