138 of the 2,206 complaints about the 1993 Ford Taurus are about the braking system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,600 miles.
138
Complaints
5
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE DASHBOARD IS LEAKING AN UNKNOWN RESIDUE, LIKE CHEWING GUM, OVER THE BRAKE PEDALAND GOT STUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SHOE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10075601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SUSPENSION FEELS SHAKY AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION. KEY LOCK IS FAULTY. I HAVE HAD ENGINE PROBLEMS AS YOU CAN SEE WITH HEAD GASKET AND TIMING COVER GASKET. ALSO I HAD TO REPLACE CIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER BUT AIR CONDITIONER NEVER WORKED.
NHTSA complaint #10069218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED AND AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE ROTORS WARP CAUSING PREMATURE PAD WEAR. I HAD TO THE REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS AT LEAST 2 TIMES A YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10014009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AT THE BEND CROSSING RIGHT REAR SUBFRAME DUE TO CORROSION. THE OTHER DIAGONAL BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. ALL BRAKE FLUID DRAINED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8016442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE PRESSURE IS VERY LOW. BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SOFT GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDING STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER NOT AWARE WHETHER FRONT OR REAR BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #8013573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED. HAD HEAD GASKET REPLACED AGAIN. *AK CONSUMER HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, THE PAN PLUG LEFT UNDONE CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE OIL, THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OVER TORQUE BOLTS WHICH BURSTED AROUND THE CORE, THE ENGINE IS KNOCKING AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LACK OF OIL. CONSUMER HAS LOST TRUST IN THE DEALERSHIP. HEAD LIGHTS FAILED, LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE WIPERS WERE NOISY, DEALER REPLACED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WIPER MOTOR. THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING, THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT ON TURNS AND WHEN BACKING UP. THE AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR, SHRATER VALVE AND A/C REFRIGERANT WAS REPLACED. THE KEY SWITCH FAILED. THE FAULTY ANTENNA MOTOR FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. TIE ROD WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8010926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FORABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #750279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, WHICH FAILED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER, PASSENGER EXPERIENCED A BROKEN TAIL BONE AND STATES THAT THE SEAT BELT LEFT BRUISE MARKS ACROSS HER STOMACH WHICH STILL CAUSES PAIN, CONSUMER PURCHASED A 1995 TAURUS AND STATES THE ABS EXPERIENCES SAME PROBLEMS AS VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, THE BRAKES LOCK AND THEN UNLOCK. (POLICE REPORT ATTACHED) *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
REAR BRAKES ARE FAULTY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
VEHICLE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, AT ANY SPEED/ANY TIME. DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION DEVICE. *AK VEHICLE WILL NOT START WHETHER IT IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. STARTER, SPARKPLUGS, AND BATTERY HAVE BEEN REPLACED, DOOR CHIME WOULD SOUND WHEN KEYS WERE NOT IN IGNITION. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND EXPERIENCES ERRATIC SHIFTING. FAULTY FRONT STRUTS CAUSE VEHICLE TO OVERSTEER, TIRES WERE ROTATED AND FRONT WAS ALIGNED TO HELP PROBLEM, HOWEVER DID NOT REMEDY. DASHBOARD RATTLES, HOWEVER DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND THERE IS WIND NOISE WHEN DRIVEN OVER 20 MPH, LEFT DOOR WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED, PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK INOPERABLE. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEVER INSTALLED. THERE IS A CONSISENT WIND SOUND IN VEHICLE. FRONT END EXPERIENCED SHAKING. EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION. DIFFICULT AND NOISY STEERING OCCURRED, DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING LINE. FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. EXHAUST REPLACED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED. WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 47114 MILES ON. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
VEHICLE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, AT ANY SPEED/ANY TIME. DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION DEVICE. *AK VEHICLE WILL NOT START WHETHER IT IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. STARTER, SPARKPLUGS, AND BATTERY HAVE BEEN REPLACED, DOOR CHIME WOULD SOUND WHEN KEYS WERE NOT IN IGNITION. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND EXPERIENCES ERRATIC SHIFTING. FAULTY FRONT STRUTS CAUSE VEHICLE TO OVERSTEER, TIRES WERE ROTATED AND FRONT WAS ALIGNED TO HELP PROBLEM, HOWEVER DID NOT REMEDY. DASHBOARD RATTLES, HOWEVER DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND THERE IS WIND NOISE WHEN DRIVEN OVER 20 MPH, LEFT DOOR WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED, PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK INOPERABLE. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NEVER INSTALLED. THERE IS A CONSISENT WIND SOUND IN VEHICLE. FRONT END EXPERIENCED SHAKING. EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION. DIFFICULT AND NOISY STEERING OCCURRED, DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING LINE. FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. EXHAUST REPLACED. FUEL PUMP REPLACED. WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 47114 MILES ON. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THERE WAS ALSO PROBLEM WITH NOTORIOUS "HEAD GASKET FAILURE" I HAD TO HAVE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #736442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #732136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #731878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I RECENTLY HAD NEW ROTORS AND PADS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY 93 FORD TAURUS. SINCE THE REPAIR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE INTERMITTENTLY STICKS OR FAILS TO RELEASE. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND A NEW BRAND OF ROTOR AND PADS WERE INSTALLED. A WEEK LATER THE BRAKE STUCK AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE PADS, ROTOR, CALIPER AND LOAD SENSOR SWITCH ("EVERTHING MECHANICAL THAT COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM"). THE FOURTH TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURED, THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE FIFTH TIME, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE SIXTH TIME IT HAPPENED (RIM SO HOT THE PLASTIC HUB CAP MELTED, BUT AT LEAST NO FIRE!) THE DEALER SAID EVERYTHING IN THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACING (3 COMPONENTS THAT COST $1600), AS WELL AS THE PADS, ROTOR, CALIPER, WHEEL BEARINGS FOR A TOTAL REPAIR COST OF $2000-3000. I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM BEFORE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE, AND IT HAS 80,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #728207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #726397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE ENGINE IS DISPLAYING THE SAME SYMPYOMS AS THE FIRST HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. BRAKE ROTORS ARE BEGINNING TO 'PLUSE' INDICATING THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT. TRANSMISSION INDICATOR BROKEN. FORD HAD A PROGRAM TO REPAIR THE 3.8 ENGINE BUT THE 93 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINES ARE IDENTICAL. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A REAL 'DOG'.
NHTSA complaint #726078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING BRAKING FLUID TO LEAK, AND RESULTING IN NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, COULD NOT SHUT VEHICLE OFF WHILE IN USE, HAD TO PULL THE FUSE IN ORDER TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF. DUE FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH. SWITCH REPAIRED. ALSO, ENGINE OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #863044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES REPLACED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THERMOSTAT STUCK, BLEW OUT THE HEAD GASKET, AND WARPED THE ENGINE HEAD. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE BACK. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS HEAD GASKET. ON JUNE 23, 19 99 , POWER RELAY WAS REPLACED, AND CURRENTLY WENT OUT AGAIN, CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. ALSO BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #859251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WARPED ROTORS:AFTER AWHILE THE ROTORS BECAME SO WARPED WE HAD TO PUT NEW ONES ON. WATER PUMP:THE CAR KEPT OVERHEATING AND THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED. RADIATOR: THE ORIGINAL RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING OUT ALL OF THE FLUID. HEAD GASKETS: THE HEATER IN THE CAR WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND CAR WOULD NOT HOLD COOLANT FOR VERY LONG. FUEL PUMP:THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 45 MINUTES. TRANSMISSION: IT WENT OUT ON US AT THE SIDE OF ROAD WHEN WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL PUMP. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE SMELLED SOMETHING VERY HOT, AND IT WENT OUT ON US WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #720010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
BRAKE LINING AND ROTORS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE LINING AND ROTORS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHERE DO I START, THIS CAR HAS BEEN A MONEY PIT FROM DAY ONE! THE BRAKES HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED 3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR--SIGNATURE FORD CLAIMED IT WAS ARE FAULT AFTER SOME ARGUMENT THEY FINALLY REIMBURSED US FOR THE BRAKES. WE DISCOVERED A SMALL LEAK, WE FOUND IT TO BE COMING FROM THE HEATER HOSE. WE DECIDED TO TRUST SIGNATURE FORD, THEY CLAIMED THAT WE NEEDED A NEW HEATER HOSE, WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR. WE TOOK ARE CAR BACK TO THE FIRST MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT IT AND HE SWORE THAT THOSE THINGS WERE NOT LEAKING WHEN THEY LEFT HIS SHOP, NO PROOF THOUGH SO WE HAVEN'T FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST SIGNATURE FORD. WE HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE HEATER HOSE AND WATER PUMP. WE ARE TAKING THE RADIATOR IN TO BE CHECKED OUT VERY SOON. WE HAD THE STARTER REPLACED AT SIGNATURE FORD, SINCE IT WAS FIXED THE KEYLESS ENTRY STOPPED WORKING. WE'VE HAD THE BRAKES COMPLELY FIXED, THREE TIMES. WE HAVE HAD THE OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED. THE AIRCONDITIONER WILL NOT WORK, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE NEED A NEW COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH. THERE IS A SHORT THAT CAUSES A FUSE TO BLOW, RESULITING IN LOSS OF GAUGES. ONE OF THE BACK WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK. THE MOLDING AROUND SAID WINDOW DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY. THE POWER STEERING MAKES A STRANGE NOISE AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING; WE TOOK IT IN TO SIGNATURE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS FINE. WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR THE TIRES THAT WERE ON IT WERE TOO BIG RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE CURRENT TIRES SHOW SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INSIDE FRONT PASSANGER TIRE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN TOTALLY REBUILT, THE TECH. WHO FIXED IT SAID THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF SHO'S. THE FOG LIGHTS SOMETIMES FAIL. THE LAMP OUT LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN NO LAMP IS OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES DURING ACCELERATION. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES. IF WE HAD KNOWN THEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW WE NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. WE CANNOT AFFORD ALL OF THESE COSTLY REPAIRS! *
NHTSA complaint #716880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AFTER 30-45 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER "STICKS" CAUSING THE BRAKE ROTORS TO WARP AND THE CAR TO VIBRATE SEVERELY, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF STEERING AND BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.
NHTSA complaint #715934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
AFTER 30-45 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER "STICKS" CAUSING THE BRAKE ROTORS TO WARP AND THE CAR TO VIBRATE SEVERELY, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF STEERING AND BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.
NHTSA complaint #715934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKES WOULD KICK IN & KICK OUT & THEN WOULD LOCK UP THE FRONT WHEELS. THERE WOULD ALSO BE SOME SKIDDING. CAN FEEL THE PULSATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #850359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE FADING. YH
NHTSA complaint #549406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING BRAKE FADING. YH
NHTSA complaint #549406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.