94 of the
1,284 complaints about the 1994 Ford Taurus are about the
electrical system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
138,500 miles.
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR FIVE DAYS WITHOUT USE. ABOUT 9:00AM I MOVED THE CAR AND PARKED IT IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM OF ANY KIND. ABOUT 45 MIN. LATER I WAS ALERTED TO THE SOUND OF A CAR HORN AND FOUND THE FORDS HORN WAS HONKING. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO ATTEMPT TO PULL THE LEVER TO OPEN THE HOOD THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE CAR AND A SMALL FLAME ON THE LEFT LOWER CORNER OF THE CASH. I WENT TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PHONED 911, WAS GONE MAYBE 30 SECONDS AND WHEN I RETURNED THE DASH WAS FULLY AFLAME. I THEN DRAGGED MY HOSE OUT AND BY THE TIME @45 SECONDS LATER I GOT THE WATER ON, THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS FULLY ENGULFED. AFTER ABOUT 7 MIN. OF ME PUTTING WATER ON THE FIRE AND IT ABOUT 90% OUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND FINISHED PUTTING IT OUT. THE ONLY PROBLEMS THE CAR HAD BEFORE WAS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAD QUIT WORKING FROM THE DOOR IN JULY BUT STILL WORKED FROM THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO THE FUSE THAT FED THE RADIO AMONG OTHER THINGS HAD BLOWN BUT WHEN REPLACED WITH THE SAME 15AMP FUSE ALL HAD BEEN OK.
NHTSA complaint #10435303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 157,000 milesPalmerton, PAFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD THE CHARACTERISTICALLY OF A FORD RECALL, BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE SAFETY DEFECT WAS THE ELECTRICAL HOUSING CAN FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SPARK, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING RADIATOR ELECTRICAL MOTOR, ENGINE COOLING FAN MODULE, AND CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. SHE WAS NOT ALERTED OF ANY OF THESE RECALLS, AND SHE PAID FOR REPAIRS FOR ALL OF THEM OUT OF POCKET. ONCE SHE CONTACTED FORD, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE OUT OF DATE AND SHE COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA complaint #10141272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockaway Park, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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. *AK *NM THE VEHICLE WAS ACTING SLUGGISH PRIOR TO THE FIRE
NHTSA complaint #10125882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Peters, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RE-START FOR AT LEAST 15-20 MINUTES. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE IDLED TOO LONG IT SHUT OFF. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT AT ONE TIME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION MODULE, WHICH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10083343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY CAR STALLS OR JUST STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, IT WILL GO FROM 60MPH TO 0MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES. I TOOK IT TO PEFFLEY FORD FOR REPAIRS, THEY CHARGED ME $669.36 AND 6 DAYS LATER MY CAR CUT OUT ON ME AGAIN AND THEY TOWED IT TO THEIR SHOP. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT MY CAR WITHOUT ME PAYING MORE MONEY FOR REPAIRS AND THE TOW TRUCK. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS FOR MY CAR AND I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I GET INTO THAT CAR. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT 8 PEOPLE OWNED THAT CAR BEFORE ME, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE SALESPERSON SAID THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY TWO YOUNG GIRLS TO RIDE IN HE WAS WRONG. I HAVE ALL OF MY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND WILL SEND COPIES TO YOU. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE ONE OR ALL OF MY FAMILY END UP INJURED OR DEAD. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE, KAREN JUDKINS.
NHTSA complaint #10002723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY CAR STALLS OR JUST STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, IT WILL GO FROM 60MPH TO 0MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES. I TOOK IT TO PEFFLEY FORD FOR REPAIRS, THEY CHARGED ME $669.36 AND 6 DAYS LATER MY CAR CUT OUT ON ME AGAIN AND THEY TOWED IT TO THEIR SHOP. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT MY CAR WITHOUT ME PAYING MORE MONEY FOR REPAIRS AND THE TOW TRUCK. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS FOR MY CAR AND I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I GET INTO THAT CAR. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT 8 PEOPLE OWNED THAT CAR BEFORE ME, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE SALESPERSON SAID THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY TWO YOUNG GIRLS TO RIDE IN HE WAS WRONG. I HAVE ALL OF MY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND WILL SEND COPIES TO YOU. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE ONE OR ALL OF MY FAMILY END UP INJURED OR DEAD. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE, KAREN JUDKINS.
NHTSA complaint #10002723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlottesville, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sparks, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #765025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Binghamton, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THERE IS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8012489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yonkers, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE, VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55-65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A REPAIR SHOP AND A DEALER. NEITHER COULD DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES. OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8009858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westminster, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE PURCHASE/ AUTO REPAIR SAID MAIN HEAD/GASKET COMMON FAILURE - FORD SHOULD ASSIST WITH COSTS.
NHTSA complaint #756780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IT JUST SET ON FIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE SPEAKERS ON THE DOOR UP TO THE DASHBOARD WHERE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS LOCATED.FIRE DEPT. SAID IT WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT.
NHTSA complaint #755775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitehall, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED 360 DEGREES WHEN TURNING THE KEY. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #899244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #897860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amsterdam, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SCANNER SHOWS NO CODES. TODAY IT HAPPENED IN MIDDLE LANE OF HIGHWAY WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER ON MY BUMPER. THE CAR JUST CUTS OUT WITH NO WARNING, AND WILL USUALL RESTART BEFORE I COAST TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #750350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pomona, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE DIED IN TRAFFIC LANE ON A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD, LUCKILY, WE WERE NOT STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #748699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Terrace, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE CYLINDER BROKE IN HALF MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. NOBODY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #746596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muncie, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN RECALL IN CALIFORNIA WHERE VEHICLE WILL STALL DUE TO TFI IGNITION MODULE. HOWEVER, THIS RECALL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER STATES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #887829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muncie, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN RECALL IN CALIFORNIA WHERE VEHICLE WILL STALL DUE TO TFI IGNITION MODULE. HOWEVER, THIS RECALL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER STATES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #887829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kearney, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO COLORADO LAST MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND WE LIVE IN NEBRASKA. AS WE GOT CLOSER TO THE DENVER REGION WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STALLING. IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY AND I WAS RUNNING THE A/C ALSO. SO EVENTUALLY IT WOULD COOL AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR BUT WOULD ONLY RUN FOR A 10-15 MILES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. IT DID GET WORSE THE CLOSED WE GOT TO THE HIGHER ALTITUDE PARTS OF DENVER. THE TRIP WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT IF THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HERE WHERE I LIVE BUT I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT OUT OF STATE AGAIN AND I BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE HIGH QUALITY OF STANDARDS IT HAS SET. PLEASE HELP ME IN ANY WAY TO FIX THE ISSUE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #742406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadephia, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION JUST CUT RIGHT OFF WITH NO PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #883411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlantic Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AS BEING WITH IGNITION MODULE AND VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT ALL ELECTRICAL POWER STAY ON, INCLUDING LIGHTS JUST LIKE KEY WILL BE IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #881053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swoyersville, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CERTAIN LIGHTS AND FUSES WOULD GO OUT ON VEHICLE, BECAUSE OF TAILGATE DOOR OPENING/CLOSING, AND WIRES MAKING CONTACT WITH METAL, AND WHEN THEY ARE ALL FUSED TOGETHER IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE.*AK WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT INSULATED AND MAKES CONTACT WITH METAL AND BURNS.
NHTSA complaint #880101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Polk, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE TO GET BACK TO REGULAR SPEED. THIS COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, AND HAPPENS WORSE IN SUMMER . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #879738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakerville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER WENT OUT TO START VEHICLE. PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND STARTED VEHICLE TO CHARGE. HE TOOK KEY OUT OF VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT KEY INSIDE OF IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #877940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Bethel, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #737355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Bethel, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NO DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE
NHTSA complaint #737355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Bethel, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
NONE
NHTSA complaint #737355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE CUTS OFF MAINLY IN SUMMER WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. INTERMITTENTLY WITH COOLER WEATHER VEHICLE ALSO CUTS OFF. VERY HAZARDOUS IN FAST TRAFFIC. MECHANICS TRIED TO REPLACE VARIOUS PARTS, BUT COULDN'T FIND A REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #875891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.