1993 Ford Taurus Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe head gasket failures on the 3.8L engine, frequently appearing well before 100,000 miles and sometimes recurring after repair. Many other complaints involve known recall items that owners say were not fully resolved: rear subframe/underbody corrosion, front coil springs breaking, and headlight circuit breakers causing intermittent flickering. A smaller group reports transmission failure or stalling, often described as sudden and without warning.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket failure on 3.8L engine

   • 323 complaints (21%)
   • median 72,500 mi at 10.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,812 (median of 41 quotes)
   • filed 1996–2007

   Owners describe the heater blowing cold air, white smoke from the exhaust, coolant loss, or stalling, which dealers and independent mechanics diagnosed as a blown or failing head gasket. Several owners say dealers told them this was a common issue with the 3.8L V6 and that repairs cost several thousand dollars. Some report the problem recurring even after the gasket was replaced. Reported across a wide mileage range, with several cases occurring well under 100,000 miles, including some in the 30,000-80,000 mile range.

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition, look for white exhaust smoke or a sweet smell, and ask for maintenance records showing any prior head gasket work on the 3.8L engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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, filed 2004-01, 200 miles

   “The gaskets blew one year after I bought it and the Ford dealer refuses to fix it even though they recognize the problem with Ford head gaskets. I paid $4000 and have no money to pay for repairs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10068833, filed 2004-01, 31,500 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Subframe/underbody corrosion after recall repair

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the rear subframe or underbody mount cracking, separating, or corroding, sometimes causing a loss of steering control while driving. Many say this is the same condition addressed by a recall, but that their vehicle was excluded by VIN or that the recall repair had already failed again. Dealers in several cases declined further repair once recall work had been performed once. Reported at higher mileages, generally over 100,000 miles, with some vehicles having had recall work done years earlier.

   Recall 98V323000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 98V323000 (frame/subframe) was completed and inspect the subframe and underbody for corrosion or missing mounting bolts, especially on vehicles from rust-belt states.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In july of 2000 I had recall work done on my car, a 1993 Ford Taurus. The recall was to prevent a catastrophic failure of the engine sub frame. The recall was TSB #98s36. On july 15, 2004 I experienced that major failure of the engine sub frame, loosing control of the vehicle. This loss of control was due to the subframe plate corrosion that was supposed to be prevented by the recall 98s36. I got the vehicle to a local Ford dealer (greenway Ford, orlando fl.). They refused to honor the recall because it had been done once. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10081213, filed 2004-07, 143,145 miles

   “Consumer had a recall performed on the vehicle about three years ago on the unibody bolts and washers, and the problem reoccurred. The dealer was contacted and stated since the vehicle had already been fixed under the recall there wasn't anything they could do ts. Consumer was informed that the recall repairs were done improperly. There was also some deterioration of the subframe.”

   NHTSA complaint #8021896, filed 2002-10, 15,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights flicker or shut off intermittently

   • 88 complaints (6%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 11.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2013

   Owners describe headlights dimming, flashing, or going out briefly while driving, which several say was diagnosed as the headlight switch or circuit breaker. Many report that their VIN was excluded from the related recall even though the symptoms matched, and that the dealer could not offer a free repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 100,000 to nearly 200,000 miles, with no clear pattern tied to weather.

   Recall 98V009000

   What to check: Test headlights at various speeds and after extended driving for flicker or dimming, and ask whether recall 98V009000 (headlight switch) was completed on this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nhtsa recall 98v009000 concerning headlight failure. 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. This recall failed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10057537, filed 2004-02, 120,000 miles

   “Headlights went out. Fiddled desperately with the on/off switch & got them to come back on. Went out several times over the next 30 minutes ... Discovered turning off and back on fixed. Suspected it had to do with the heat. Over the two month, recurred several times after driving for 30 minutes or so. Also found that usually pressure applied to the switch itself and jiggling would bring them back, and discovered I could hold the high beams on. Finally searched here and found 98v009000, which seems to be the same problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10483504, filed 2012-11, 160,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front coil spring breakage

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a front coil spring suddenly breaking while driving, sometimes puncturing a tire or damaging the strut and tie rod. Several say this happened again after a prior recall repair for the same part, and some report the manufacturer declined further assistance. Reported across a broad mileage range, including some vehicles with over 100,000 miles that had already had a recall repair years earlier.

   Recall 98V094000

   What to check: Inspect front coil springs and struts for corrosion or prior replacement, and ask whether recall 98V094000 (front coil springs) was completed on this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the road and the right side spring broke. I parked the car and in about two months I replaced the whole strut . When I was done I took it for a ride and went about two blocks and the driver's side spring broke.”

   NHTSA complaint #10225773, filed 2008-04, 96,000 miles

   “Our '93 Taurus broke a coil spring at 30k miles and the other at 40k. I paid to have both repairs done. I wrote to Ford to complain which didn't help any. Now the car has been recalled. I have been waiting since july'98 to be reimbursed which Ford said they would do in the recall letter. I also had the protective shields added as recommended in the recall at no charge. Now I can't get the dealer to remove them. Every time the body sways, such as going over a dip in the road, it causes a loud banging noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #702296, filed 1999-01
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure or unexpected stalling

   • 98 complaints (6%)
   • median 83,050 mi at 10.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe the vehicle stalling or losing power without warning, sometimes while driving in traffic, which several attribute to the transmission. Some report needing a full transmission rebuild or replacement, and one owner describes replacing the transmission twice. Reported mainly in the 85,000-120,000 mile range.

   What to check: Test drive the vehicle through multiple shift points and from a complete stop, watching for hesitation, jerking, or stalling, and ask about transmission service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car started stalling. The car just stopped working. It has also almost caused us to get hit when it stalls out and when it was about to go out we alomost caused some accidents. We haft to replace the transmission because it is cracked. Everyone has transmission problems out of Taurus.”

   NHTSA complaint #10108265, filed 2005-01, 94,000 miles

   “I had to replace 2 transmissions on this vehicle and one head gasket. I understand there is reimbursement available for 94 and later Taurus's for the headgasket. However, 93's should also be covered.”

   NHTSA complaint #727632, filed 2000-08

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.