1993 Ford Taurus Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 638about this part
- Share
- 41%of 1,557 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,101miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 638 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1993 Ford Taurus, 41% of the 1,557 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,101 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 21 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I have a 1993 Ford Taurus 3.0 v6. I have read about the 3.8 v6's with head gasket problems. At just 71000 miles I have the same problem. I purchased this vehicle from my parents, who bought it new. My father is a retired nyc transit authority mechanic, and he was meticulous about the upkeep of his vehicles. Now I am face with an automobile that is nothing more than a huge paperweight.over the last few years it seems that I was just throwing good money after bad. A couple of hundred here, $700 for a complete overhaul of the A/C system, etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070825, filed 2004-01, 63,000 miles“Ford Taurus heater started blowing cold air and a cloud of white smoke was coming out of the rear exhaust pipe which made it difficult to see. Limp into dealer who said the head gasket is shot which is common on the 3.8l v6 engines in fords. Mentioned to the dealer that I only had 63,890 miles on the car and he said that's when they usually start to go. Paid total of $2008.12 for repair including new radiator which they said I now need after putting it all back together because the car was leaking coolant which it had not before I got car home after being all fixed and it was leaking coolant. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104881, filed 2005-01, 63,890 miles“Please be advised that I am extremely dissatisfied with my 1993 Ford Taurus. It was purchased on july 8, 2000 from briarwood Ford in ann arbor, michigan. It had 37,000 miles on it. After owning it for only 40 days, the engine blew on my way to tennessee. The repair shop checked it in with only 39,488 miles on it. They had to replace the engine longblock for a total of $5532.27. Let me give you a brief picture of my situation. I am a widow living on social security and a small pension from my former husband??s employer. I live in an apartment that is based on income. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000508, filed 2003-01, 39,488 milesRelated recalls
- 97V019000Feb 25, 1997These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The…Covers: Ford Taurus 1992–1995, Mercury Sable 1992–1995, Lincoln Continental 1992–1994 +2 more
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 4 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 28% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 22 | 15% |
| 2006 | 19 | 6% |
| 2005 | 40 | 5% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 67 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 4% |
| 2001 | 60 | 6% |
| 2000 | 103 | 9% |
| 1999 | 81 | 9% |
| 1998 | 62 | 11% |
| 1997 | 145 | 19% |
| 1996 | 214 | 26% |
| 1995 | 352 | 29% |
| 1994 | 289 | 31% |
| 1993 | 638 | 41% |
| 1992 | 217 | 32% |
| 1991 | 116 | 18% |
| 1990 | 78 | 20% |
| 1989 | 97 | 17% |
| 1988 | 67 | 20% |
| 1987 | 40 | 16% |
| 1986 | 22 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1993 Ford Taurus
174 complaintsSuspension
164 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
157 complaintsElectrical system
156 complaintsExterior lighting
140 complaintsBrakes
110 complaintsBody and structure
69 complaintsSteering
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
57 complaintsAir bags
54 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1993 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology