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1993 Ford Taurus
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1993 Ford Taurus, covering structure, suspension and exterior lighting, and 1,557 consumer complaints received since 1995.
The component named most often is engine and engine cooling: 344.5 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 140.7 per 1,000 across all 1993 model-year vehicles and against 144.3 per 1,000 for the Ford Taurus line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 438.0 complaints per model year across the 39 Ford Taurus model years on this register; 54 complaints reported a crash and 49 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 1999 (346); the most recent in the file is dated 12 Sep 2014.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 13 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and transmission, allows the rear corners of the subframe to drop.
Consequence: If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 98S36).
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of new york, michigan, ohio, illinois, wisconsin, pennsylvania, massachusetts, indiana, new jersey, maine, connecticut, new hampshire, rhode island, vermont, minnesota, iowa, missouri, kentucky, maryland, delaware, and west virginia. The front coil springs can fracture as a result of corrosion in combination with small cracks in the springs.
Consequence: The front tire could deflate due to a broken front coil spring contacting the tire, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a spring catcher bracket which will prevent a fractured spring from contacting a tire.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 98S15).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: Loss of headlights during vehicle operation can affect a driver's ability to navigate the roadway and reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a headlight switch that incorporates a cricuit breaker of revised design and installation of a wiring harness connector and wiring, if needed.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could freeze within a low area of the cable routing when exposed to a long term cold soak at temperatures at least several degrees below freezing.
Consequence: Driver control of vehicle speed using the speed control system or the accelerator control system would be diminished increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 97S65).
Defect, as filed: These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0l engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3l engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8l engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0l engines and 1992-1994 lincoln continental vehicles with 3.8l engines. During high winds, heavy, blowing and drifting snow, and low temperatures, the engine cooling fan can become blocked or frozen with snow. The fan motor may not rotate and could overheat.
Consequence: This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 97S66).
- 93V023000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIPReported 4 Jan 1993 · 212 units
Defect, as filed: Anti-lock brake system controllers designed for rear wheel drive cars may have been installed on these front wheel drive cars..
Consequence: This could result in reduced braking ability and possiblevehicle accident.
Remedy: Replace the rear wheel drive ABS controller with a front wheel drive ABS controller.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1993 Ford Taurus (black) against all 1993 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1993 | Taurus line | All 1993 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 344.5 | 144.3 | 140.7 |
| Power Train | 83 | 131.5 | 84.9 |
| Electrical System | 80.7 | 70.8 | 82.2 |
| Suspension | 78.9 | 146 | 36.4 |
| Visibility | 75.7 | 45.8 | 47 |
| Exterior Lighting | 67.1 | 27.2 | 32.6 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1993 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 760 | 344.5 | 144.3 | 140.7 |
| Power Train | 183 | 83 | 131.5 | 84.9 |
| Electrical System | 178 | 80.7 | 70.8 | 82.2 |
| Suspension | 174 | 78.9 | 146 | 36.4 |
| Visibility | 167 | 75.7 | 45.8 | 47 |
| Exterior Lighting | 148 | 67.1 | 27.2 | 32.6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 133 | 60.3 | 54.8 | 185.9 |
| Structure | 71 | 32.2 | 46.5 | 45.1 |
| Steering | 65 | 29.5 | 49 | 34.2 |
| Air Bags | 65 | 29.5 | 37.6 | 34.6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 58 | 26.3 | 92 | 38.5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 49 | 22.2 | 23.1 | 52.5 |
| Equipment | 40 | 18.1 | 14.2 | 21.9 |
| Unknown or Other | 39 | 17.7 | 17.9 | 14.6 |
| Tires | 25 | 11.3 | 17.4 | 30.5 |
| Seat Belts | 14 | 6.3 | 24 | 56.1 |
| Seats | 13 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 22.8 |
| Wheels | 7 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 6 | 2.7 | 5.4 | 12.6 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 4 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 4.3 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 0.9 | 1 | 1.3 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 3.6 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 1.7 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 5.4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 0.2 |
1,557 unique complaints, 2,206 component mentions; 44 injuries and 3 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ99017 | Recall query | FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING | suspension | 9 Aug 1999 | 16 Feb 2000 | 98V094000 |
| EA99023 | Engineering analysis | WINDSHIELD WIPER | visibility | 6 Aug 1999 | 12 Jun 2001 | — |
| PE99015 | Preliminary evaluation | WINDSHIELD WIPER | visibility | 24 Feb 1999 | 6 Aug 1999 | — |
| EA97026 | Engineering analysis | FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE | suspension | 26 Nov 1997 | 13 May 1998 | 98I002000 |
| PE97035 | Preliminary evaluation | FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE | suspension:front:springs:coil springs | 22 Jul 1997 | 26 Nov 1997 | — |
| EA96024 | Engineering analysis | ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES | engine and engine cooling | 30 Sep 1996 | 15 Apr 1997 | 97V019000 |
| EA96019 | Engineering analysis | HEADLIGHT FAILURE | exterior lighting | 31 Jul 1996 | 26 Jan 1998 | 98V009000 |
| PE96033 | Preliminary evaluation | ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES | engine and engine cooling | 2 May 1996 | 30 Sep 1996 | 97V019000 |
| PE96018 | Preliminary evaluation | HEADLIGHTS FAILURE | exterior lighting:headlights | 5 Mar 1996 | 31 Jul 1996 | — |
| DP95004 | Defect petition | ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS | unknown or other | 8 Aug 1995 | 30 Aug 1995 | — |
| EA94008 | Engineering analysis | BROKEN TIE RODS | steering | 16 Feb 1994 | 27 Feb 1995 | — |
| PE93100 | Preliminary evaluation | POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS | suspension | 2 Dec 1993 | 30 Jun 1994 | — |
| PE93058 | Preliminary evaluation | BROKEN TIE RODS | steering | 15 Jun 1993 | 16 Feb 1994 | — |
Other Ford Taurus model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1981 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1983 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1984 NHTSA | 0 | 4 | — |
| 1985 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1986 | 8 | 101 | 8,923,200 |
| 1987 | 8 | 255 | 8,919,345 |
| 1988 | 5 | 333 | 5,564,000 |
| 1989 | 5 | 562 | 4,519,000 |
| 1990 | 6 | 381 | 4,245,112 |
| 1991 | 4 | 649 | 3,888,700 |
| 1992 | 5 | 681 | 3,640,200 |
| 1993 | 6 | 1,557 | 3,772,112 |
| 1994 | 4 | 923 | 3,490,900 |
| 1995 | 5 | 1,205 | 3,681,660 |
| 1996 | 6 | 825 | 561,600 |
| 1997 | 3 | 769 | 711,800 |
| 1998 | 2 | 544 | 578,800 |
| 1999 | 5 | 871 | 939,166 |
| 2000 | 8 | 1,189 | 3,716,463 |
| 2001 | 9 | 1,030 | 3,980,991 |
| 2002 | 3 | 1,421 | 1,376,297 |
| 2003 | 3 | 1,205 | 1,406,609 |
| 2004 | 1 | 365 | 24,277 |
| 2005 | 0 | 752 | — |
| 2006 | 2 | 304 | 199,961 |
| 2007 | 0 | 140 | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 158 | 695 |
| 2009 | 0 | 56 | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 163 | 379,009 |
| 2011 | 4 | 133 | 772,632 |
| 2012 | 5 | 54 | 775,669 |
| 2013 | 9 | 258 | 1,548,116 |
| 2014 | 5 | 98 | 570,971 |
| 2015 | 6 | 63 | 1,760,319 |
| 2016 | 4 | 11 | 1,762,969 |
| 2017 | 4 | 10 | 315,504 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 | 1,763,906 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 1,550,599 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Ford Taurus model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1993 Ford Taurus have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 98V323000, was reported to NHTSA on 16 Dec 1998 and concerns structure:frame and members. Across all model years the Ford Taurus line has 69 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1993 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 13 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 1993 Ford Taurus complain about most?
Engine and Engine Cooling: 760 of 2206 component mentions (344.5 per 1,000). Next is power train with 183. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.