MYRModel Year Report

1994 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1994 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Taurus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 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 1992 1993: 1565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1195 complaints 2001: 1037 complaints 2002: 1426 complaints 2002 2003: 1223 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: 78 complaints 2012 2013: 583 complaints 2014: 228 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints 2019
1994: 931 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931565
1994931
19951208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001195
20011037
20021426
20031223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201278
2013583
2014228
2015267
201679
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%

35% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 322 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
POWER TRAIN 30%

30% of complaints: power train — 282 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20120918

Also filed under ENGINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 90 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20050620

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950131

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 67 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and door.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20050713

DRIVER TWICE CUT FACE ON THE CORNER OF THE DOOR. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950130

SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 67 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1994 — complaint volume: 931
R 19941215 — suspension

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

I 19960502 — PE (closed 19960930)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

I 19960731 — EA (closed 19980126)

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

I 19960930 — EA (closed 19970415)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

R 19970331 — engine and engine cooling

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

R 19970423 — vehicle speed control

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

R 19980415 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 98V009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990118 — structure

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

I 19990809 — RQ (closed 20000216)

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (322 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (282 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (90 reports on file for this year).
  • 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 98V009000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.