1993 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 1,557 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints); the 1991 and 1992 model years look 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 1,557 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2014
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2013
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2010
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2008
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2008
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2008
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2008
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2008
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 54 of these complaints and injuries in 46 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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.
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: 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 1993 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA has 1,557 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 105,664 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:shock absorber. 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.