1994 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 923 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (27% of complaints).
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 923 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving at night headlights go off for a few seconds and then come back on it happens several times and then stops happening”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford taurus. While driving various speeds, the headlights flashed intermittently without warning and the headlight switch was hot to the touch. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact researched the failure online and found NHTSA campaign number: 98v009000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. No further assistance was offered. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2017
“Airbag light flashes on/off frequently. Defective sensor is suspected. Part is unavailable. A major safety concern. Not sure if there was a recall prior to purchase or change out of parts. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“The car when leaving a stop acts like its in neutral then catches and leaps forward. Ford used a cheap forward clutch piston. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford taurus. The contact stated that the engine and transmission failed. The contact started the vehicle and both the engine and the transmission collapsed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 93v106000 (structure:frame and members) and contacted the dealer. The dealer advised the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they filed a complaint on the contact's behalf. The failure mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford taurus. The contact was driving 5 mph and attempting a left turn when the vehicle exhibited an abnormal pop noise. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact found that the cradle bolt was fractured. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who confirmed the failure and ordered the part needed for repairs. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 98v323000 (structure:frame and members) and advised that the failure was related to the recall. The manufacturer was then contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 9/20/11 *cn updated 10/11/11”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2011
“The front lower subframe mount plate nut dropped. There was loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the front corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and transmission, allowed the front corners of the subframe to drop. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford taurus. While driving approximately 10 mph he heard a loud bang. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane and shut off. Upon examination he noticed that the sub frame fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to his residence and was not examined for the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford taurus. The contact noticed that the rear of the vehicle was lower than usual. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who discovered a crack in the frame that caused the rear suspension to lower. The contact took the vehicle to an authorized dealer who made a clunking sound. The dealer stated that the struts were defective. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 ford taurus. The vehicle was parked, and the contact observed while the air conditioner was activated water leaked onto the engine. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. In addition, there was a tranmission defect. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 51 of these complaints and injuries in 42 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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. 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.
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 1994 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA has 923 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,858 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
5 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.