1993 Ford Taurus: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1993 Ford Taurus: 6 recalls, 1557 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #93V023000 · 1993 · 212 vehicles
What's wrong: Anti-lock brake system controllers designed for rear wheel drive cars May have been installed on these front wheel drive cars..
Why it matters: This could result in reduced braking ability and possiblevehicle accident.
The fix: Replace the rear wheel drive ABS controller with a front wheel drive ABS controller.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #97V019000 · 1997 · 75,200 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #97V025000 · 1997 · 212,700 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #98V009000 · 1998 · 506,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The headlights can flash intermittently as a result of the circuit breaker opening. The vehicle's headlights can go out for brief intervals.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #98V094000 · 1998 · 281,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The front coil springs can fracture as a result of corrosion in combination with small cracks in the springs.
Why it matters: The front tire could deflate due to a broken front coil spring contacting the tire, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a spring catcher bracket which will prevent a fractured spring from contacting a tire.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #98V323000 · 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #94E036000 · 1994 · 98,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.
Why it matters: Over time, a portion of the bracket can tear away from the strut, falling into and puncturing the tire or causing damage to the wheel, which could result in an accident.
The fix: Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.
Suspension Recall #98I002000 · 1998 · 281,000 vehicles
What's wrong: This is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. 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,…
Why it matters: The front tire could deflate due to a broken front coil spring contacting the tire, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Customers with vehicles that have broken springs are to return their vehicle for spring replacement. Both springs will be replaced even if only one spring is fractured.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 49 mention a fire, 44 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (638): the most common themes are leaks (92), fire / smoke (71), stalls / loses power (71).
- Transmission & drivetrain (174): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (57), stalls / loses power (16), noise or vibration (14).
- Suspension (164): the most common themes are noise or vibration (39), rust / corrosion (10).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (157): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), leaks (8), noise or vibration (7).
The 1993 Ford Taurus has 1557 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 30 Taurus model years for complaints (2.8× the average Taurus year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (389 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 105,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1992 (681 complaints, 5 recalls), 1994 (923 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1993 Ford Taurus.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1993 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1993 Ford Taurus, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1993 Ford Taurus problems?
Owners have filed 1557 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (638), transmission & drivetrain (174), suspension (164).
What gas mileage does the 1993 Ford Taurus get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1993 Ford Taurus repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.