1992 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 681 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (27% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 681 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2015
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2012
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2008
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2007
“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.”Owner report · Child Seat · Sep 2006
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2006
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2005
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2005
“While driving 35 mph trailing arm broke without warning. As a result, the entire frame of the vehicle collapsed onto the tires. *ak”Owner report · Structure · May 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 52 of these complaints and injuries in 49 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: REPLACE MALFUNCTIONING LIFTGATE LATCHES.
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Taurus by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA has 681 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 101,377 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.