1992 Ford Taurus
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 101 |
| 1987 | 255 |
| 1988 | 333 |
| 1989 | 562 |
| 1990 | 381 |
| 1991 | 649 |
| 1992 | 681 |
| 1993 | 1557 |
| 1994 | 923 |
| 1995 | 1205 |
| 1996 | 825 |
| 1997 | 770 |
| 1998 | 545 |
| 1999 | 874 |
| 2000 | 1195 |
| 2001 | 1037 |
| 2002 | 1426 |
| 2003 | 1223 |
| 2004 | 375 |
| 2005 | 774 |
| 2006 | 318 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 202 |
| 2011 | 187 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 579 |
| 2014 | 227 |
| 2015 | 253 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 149 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: power train — 74 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: structure — 56 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 52 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 40 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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 LIFT
Remedy: REPLACE MALFUNCTIONING LIFTGATE LATCHES.
Campaign 91V145000 — check if this car was fixed
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 COMPART
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.
Campaign 92V065000 — check if this car was fixed
SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL
IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
BROKEN TIE RODS
UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS
IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF
POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS
BROKEN TIE RODS
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.
Campaign 94E036000 — check if this car was fixed
PLASTIC TRIM PANEL SEPARATION
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES
DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
Campaign 97V019000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
Campaign 97V025000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Campaign 98V323000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1992 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (149 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (74 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (56 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 91V145000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V065000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 94E036000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V019000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V025000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1992 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Ford Taurus is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Ford Taurus have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.