65 of the
2,206 complaints about the 1993 Ford Taurus are about the
steering — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S HANDS BECAME STUCK TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOTICED A DARK YELLOW GLUE OR PASTE LIKE SUBSTANCE COMING OUT OF THE SEAMS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/30/14*CN UPDATED 4/27/2015
NHTSA complaint #10632773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chester, PA
STEERING:COLUMN
THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRE HARNESS, STEERING COLUMN COVERS, TURN SIGNAL/WIPER SWITCH WERE REPLACED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10057183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulsa, OKFire
STEERING
MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. STEERING PINS REPLACED 4 DAYS AFTER MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, THE CAR CATCHES ON FILE FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. I DROVE THE CAR 1 TIME AFTER IT WAS OUT OF THE SHOP. 11 HOURS AFTER I DROVE IT, THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT
NHTSA complaint #10070376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanger, CA
STEERING
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.
Sanger, CA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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.
Suches, GA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK AND PINION HAS FAILED OR BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES ON MY VEHICLE. FORD ADVISED US TO HAVE THE STRUT PLATES CUT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN ALIGNMENT AND THIS DID NOT HELP EITHER BECAUSE THE RACK KEPT GOING OUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY NEVER RESPONDED TO OUR COMPLAINTS IT IS LIKE THE FORD EXPLORER MAJOR FRONT END PROBLEMS PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS!!! I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET BUT FORD STILL HAS NOT RECALLED THIS YEAR MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #758976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spencer, WVFire
STEERING
WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER STATED SHE AND DAUGHTER WERE TRAPPED INT HE VEHICLE, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE STEERING LOCKED UP.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #8000796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suches, GA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE RACK & PINION PULLS APART AND CAUSES THE FRONT END TO BECOME OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STEER TERRIBLY. THE RIGHT FRONT MOTOR MOUNT BURST BECAUSE IT IS HYDRAULIC THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE RACK AND PINION GOES OUT. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAS A DEFECT IN THE FOURTH GEAR RATIO AND SHOWS ON THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER WHEN SERVICED.
NHTSA complaint #750898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Tomawanda, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND DOWNSHIFT. VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AS CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL OVER. ALSO, POWER STEERING FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #887637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CACrash
STEERING:LINKAGES
STEERING WHEEL TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL STREET.
NHTSA complaint #742369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
STEERING
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.
Alexandria, VA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED MANY POWER STEERING PROBLEMS INCLUDING NOISE, STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED ONCE, FAULTY RACK AND PINION CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHILE MAKING TURNS REPLACED THREE TIMES, VARIABLE ASSIST VALVE WAS REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #739815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING COULD TRY TO MAKE A TURN AND STEERING WHEEL WILL MAKE NOISE. WILL BE HARD TO STEER LIKE IT DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #881479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING COULD TRY TO MAKE A TURN AND STEERING WHEEL WILL MAKE NOISE. WILL BE HARD TO STEER LIKE IT DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #881479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I WILL BE MAILING YOU A LETTER SENT TO MFR. ON THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD SINCE 2/8/99 THROUGH 12/18/00 ON THE RACK AND PINION, AND HEAD AND TIMING COVER GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint #739815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN STEERING MAINLY TO RIGHT. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND IT WAS FRONT INNER TIE ROD. NO CAUSE DETERMINED, BUT COST IS ON CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #876051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING ON EXTREME LEFT GETS STUCKUP MOMENTERIARILY MANY TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #736792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CONDITION WAS EXCELLENT, ONLY 69,000 MILES ON ENGINE. IT STARTED TO FALL APART WITHIN 3 WEEKS, FIRST STEERING, THEN TRANSMISSION, NOW THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO LEMONAIDCARS.COM THE 1993 TAURUS IS FULL OF PROBLEMS. FORD SAID ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM AND REF'D TO GREEN VALLEY FORD THIS DEALERSHIP WE DO NOT TRUST. THEY ALWAYS ADD ON THINGS TO A CARS 'PROBLEM'. WE ARE NOT BUYIN A FORD EVER AGAIN!
NHTSA complaint #734241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CONDITION WAS EXCELLENT, ONLY 69,000 MILES ON ENGINE. IT STARTED TO FALL APART WITHIN 3 WEEKS, FIRST STEERING, THEN TRANSMISSION, NOW THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO LEMONAIDCARS.COM THE 1993 TAURUS IS FULL OF PROBLEMS. FORD SAID ITS NOT THERE PROBLEM AND REF'D TO GREEN VALLEY FORD THIS DEALERSHIP WE DO NOT TRUST. THEY ALWAYS ADD ON THINGS TO A CARS 'PROBLEM'. WE ARE NOT BUYIN A FORD EVER AGAIN!
NHTSA complaint #734241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fontana, CA
STEERING
IGNITION IS INOPERATIVE. KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION & DOESN'T LINE UP CORRECTLY. THIS MAKES IT VERY EASY TO STEALTHE VEHICLE. VEHICLE'S AIR BAG & HORN ARE NOT WORKING RELATING TO THIS. DEALER HAS NEVER TRIED TO FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AS WELL. STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #872889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorktown, VA
STEERING
CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #730805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yorktown, VA
STEERING
CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #730805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminister, MD
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING LOSS CAUSING PROBLEMS IN STEERING CONTROL. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & DRIVER NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ACTING UP. WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN VEHICLE. HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #865245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I TOOK M Y CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND I NOTICED PROBLEMS W/ THE STEERING. THE WHEEL WOULD BE HARD TO TURN WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT HAND TURNS. I HAD A FRIEND TETS DRIVE THE CAR AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT MAY BE THE RACKET PINION SYSTEM. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR SAFETY BELT. I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO SEE WHAT RECALLS THERE WAS FOR FORD TAURUS AND I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE SO MANY THAT FORD HASN'T CONTACTED ME ON. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT?
NHTSA complaint #724781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Minister, MD
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. ALSO, TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING/ SHIMMYING/ SHAKING, AND POPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. CONSUMER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. WHEN RUNNING CAR FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND WON'T TURN. CONSUMER FEARED STEERING IN TRAFFIC. HEADGASKET AND COOLING REPLACED, BUT THERE IS STILL TRANSMISSION AND STEERING TROUBLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camillus, NYCrash1 killed
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THIS REPORT IS MADE BY THE ONONDAGA COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINERS OFFICE, 100 ELIZABETH BLACKWELL ST., SYRACUSE, NY 13210, PHONE 315-435-3163, FAX 315-435-3319, REPORTED BY INV. MICHAEL S. BIRCHMEYER. THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FATALITY IN WHICH THE DRIVER WAS KILLED. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE VEHICLE CRASHED PROCEEDED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A TREE HEAD-ON IN FRONT OF A SCHOOL. THE ACCIDENT WAS ALSO INVESTIGATED BY THE CAMILLUS POLICE AND THE ONONDAGA COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT. WE ARE FORWARDING THIS INFO TO YOU BECAUSE WE ARE NOT SURE IF THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #721430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powhatan, VA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
STEERING RACK AND PINION IS PREMATURELY WEARING. HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #856054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry, MI
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
Spokane, WA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING, REASON UNKNOWN . VEHICLE ONLY HAD 61,000 MILES OF WEAR. BELEIVED THIS CONDITION WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #832727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.