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1992 Ford TaurusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 681 owner complaints about the 1992 Ford Taurus, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

37
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.7× the Taurus median · #12 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints681112 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 30, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Ford Taurus has problems

681 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling2177
Power train1052
Electrical system7015
Structure670
Service brakes, hydraulic601
Steering564
Air bags4934
Vehicle speed control4912
Suspension482
13 other systems15313

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1992 Ford Taurus recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure: frame and members

Recall 98V-323 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V-025 · Feb 26, 1997 · 212,700 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Cooling system: fan

Recall 97V-019 · Feb 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels

Recall 92V-065 · May 11, 1992 · 654,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Recall 91V-145 · Sep 4, 1991 · 1,300 vehicles

Risk. IF THE LIFTGATE WERE TO OPEN DURING VEHCILE OPERATION,PASSENGERS OR CARGO COULD FALL FROM THE OPEN LIFTGATE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1992 vs. every other Taurus year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Taurus median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1992 Ford Taurus safety ratings

1992 Ford Taurus 4-DR. Wagon in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
14 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1992 Ford Taurus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  2. DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORDP96014 · still open
    Open
  3. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILEA92040 · closed Jun 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-106
  4. IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALFEA93022 · closed Aug 31, 1994
    No recall
  5. BROKEN TIE RODSEA94008 · closed Feb 27, 1995
    No recall
  6. HEADLIGHT FAILUREEA96019 · closed Jan 26, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-009
  7. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA96024 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-019
  8. IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALFPE93010 · closed Jul 30, 1993
    No recall
  9. BROKEN TIE RODSPE93058 · closed Feb 16, 1994
    No recall
  10. UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILSPE93065 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    No recall
  11. POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKSPE93100 · closed Jun 30, 1994
    No recall
  12. PLASTIC TRIM PANEL SEPARATIONPE95026 · closed Aug 31, 1995
    No recall
  13. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESPE96033 · closed Sep 30, 1996
    Led to recall 97V-019
  14. FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGERQ98016 · closed Jan 12, 1999
    Led to recall 98V-094
In owners' words

What Taurus owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10226384 · May 1, 2008 · 137,000 miles
COOLANT LEAKING INTO HEAD GASKET AND PISTON/CYLINDERS CAUSING ENGINE TO VAPOR LOCK AND FREEZE. WE BOUGHT A $900 EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE, AND WE HAD TO PAY A $95.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, HANSEL FORD IN SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA SAYS THAT WARRANTY WILL NOW ONLY COVER SPECIFIC…
Complaint 10069850 · Jan 15, 2004
IGNITION MODULE FAILED IN JUNE, 2001 AT 101,377 MILES AND NOW AGAIN IT HAS FAILED AT 113,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T START IN FRONT OF A BUILDING, THE SECOND TIME AT A CITY INTERSECTION AT MIDNIGHT. IN CHECKING WITH FORD CORP AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THEY HAVE NO HEAT…
Complaint 10069692 · Jan 15, 2004 · 101,377 miles

Own a 1992 Taurus?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.