MYRModel Year Report

1994 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
931
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 931 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 931 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2003 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2015 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1990 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 931 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1996 1997: 770 complaints 1998: 545 complaints 1998 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints

1994: 931 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931,565
1994931
19951,208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001,195
20011,037
20021,426
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013584
2014229
2015271
201681
201744
201847
201915

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

35% · 322 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Power train

30% · 282 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-18

Also filed under Engine

Electrical system

10% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: the vehicle began performing poorly then started smoking under the hood. The consumer pulled to the side of the road where the vehicle then caught on fire. The police arrived before the fire department and extinguished the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-06-20

Vehicle suddenly lost power and caught on fire. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-31

Structure

7% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: the consumer stated there was a recall on his vehicle. Recall # 98V323000. The washer corroded. The consumer said the incident happened without warning while stopped at a light. The consumers wife hit her head but she was not hurt very bad.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-07-13

Driver twice cut face on the corner of the door. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-01-30

Service brakes

7% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1994Complaint volume 931 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1994-12-15Suspension94E036000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1996-05-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-09-30 Engine cooling fan fires
  4. I
    1996-07-31Engineering analysisClosed 1998-01-26 Headlight failure
  5. I
    1996-09-30Engineering analysisClosed 1997-04-15 Engine cooling fan fires
  6. R
    1997-03-31Engine and engine cooling97V019000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    1997-04-23Vehicle speed control97V025000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    1998-04-15Exterior lighting98V009000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    1999-01-18Structure98V323000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, district of columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland…

    Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1999-08-09Recall queryClosed 2000-02-16 Front suspension spring

Buy-smart checklist

1994 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 322 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 282 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 90 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94E036000 · Suspension
  • Recall 97V019000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 97V025000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V009000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 98V323000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1994 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford Taurus is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Taurus have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.