Audited US model-year file

1992 FORD Taurus

Exact make, model and year evidence from official US sources. Recall campaigns, ODI investigations, complaint allegations and EPA estimates remain separate.

Model-year evidence is not a VIN check.

A campaign may cover only certain production dates, plants or equipment. A zero result here is not safety clearance. Use NHTSA’s official VIN tool for the individual vehicle.

Official VIN lookup ↗

01 · Safety actions first

6 NHTSA recall campaigns

Exact model-level NHTSA results for 1992 FORD Taurus. Campaign records are official safety actions; applicability to a particular car still requires its VIN.

01
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1994-11-25

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

Campaign 94E036000
Summary

THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

02
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1997-02-26

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Campaign 97V025000
Summary

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.

03
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1992-05-11

WHEELS

Campaign 92V065000
Summary

CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.

Consequence

THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.

Remedy

REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.

04
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1997-02-25

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Campaign 97V019000
Summary

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.

05
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1998-12-16

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Campaign 98V323000
Summary

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.

06
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1991-09-04

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Campaign 91V145000
Summary

MANUFACTURING ERRORS BY THE SUPPLIER OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH MECHANISM MAY CAUSE THE SECONDARY PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE LATCH NOT TO FUNCTION. IF THE LATCH IS NOT IN THE PRIMARY LATCH POSITION, THE LIFTGATE COULD OPEN WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE WERE TO OPEN DURING VEHCILE OPERATION,PASSENGERS OR CARGO COULD FALL FROM THE OPEN LIFTGATE.

Remedy

REPLACE MALFUNCTIONING LIFTGATE LATCHES.

02 · Owner allegations

885 NHTSA complaints

Counts are not adjusted for sales, vehicle age, mileage, publicity or reporting behavior. They are allegations, not defect findings or a reliability score.

Crash mentions
57
Fire mentions
23
Injuries reported
53
Most-reported component labels
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING250
POWER TRAIN113
SERVICE BRAKES84
HYDRAULIC79
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM77
STRUCTURE73
Complaints across nearby Ford Taurus model years

Totals for the same nameplate, scaled against its highest year here. They are not adjusted for how many were sold, how old they are, how far they are driven, or how much publicity a fault received — an older or better-selling year will usually carry more reports. This shows where the reporting sits, not which year is better.

  1. 3811990
  2. 6491991
  3. 8851992
  4. 1,5571993
  5. 9231994
  6. 1,2051995

A dash means NHTSA holds no complaint record for that exact year, make and model. See all Taurus years with specs and fuel economy →

03 · Agency review

14 NHTSA ODI investigations

An investigation means ODI reviewed a possible safety issue for this exact model-year identity. Opening one is not a defect finding; closing one does not by itself clear a vehicle.

DP96014
Open in imported snapshot · opened 1996-11-14

DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR

NHTSA source ↗

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

RQ98016
Closed 1999-01-12 · opened 1998-09-29

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE

NHTSA source ↗

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS · Associated recall campaign 98V094000.

EA96024
Closed 1997-04-15 · opened 1996-09-30

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

NHTSA source ↗

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Associated recall campaign 97V019000.

EA96019
Closed 1998-01-26 · opened 1996-07-31

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

NHTSA source ↗

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Associated recall campaign 98V009000.

PE96033
Closed 1996-09-30 · opened 1996-05-02

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

NHTSA source ↗

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Associated recall campaign 97V019000.

DP95004
Closed 1995-08-30 · opened 1995-08-08

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

NHTSA source ↗

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE95026
Closed 1995-08-31 · opened 1995-05-01

PLASTIC TRIM PANEL SEPARATION

NHTSA source ↗

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA94008
Closed 1995-02-27 · opened 1994-02-16

BROKEN TIE RODS

NHTSA source ↗

STEERING · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE93100
Closed 1994-06-30 · opened 1993-12-02

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

NHTSA source ↗

SUSPENSION · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA93022
Closed 1994-08-31 · opened 1993-07-30

IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF

NHTSA source ↗

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE93065
Closed 1993-11-30 · opened 1993-07-15

UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS

NHTSA source ↗

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE93058
Closed 1994-02-16 · opened 1993-06-15

BROKEN TIE RODS

NHTSA source ↗

STEERING · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE93010
Closed 1993-07-30 · opened 1993-03-02

IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALF

NHTSA source ↗

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA92040
Closed 1993-06-30 · opened 1992-11-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

NHTSA source ↗

STRUCTURE · Associated recall campaign 93V106001.

04 · EPA configurations

Fuel economy & specifications

FuelEconomy.gov records are summarized as ranges where this model name has multiple engines, drivetrains or trims.

EPA configurations
5
Combined economy
19–21 mpg/MPGe
City / highway
16–18 / 24–26 mpg/MPGe
Engine displacement
3–3.8 L
Cylinders
6
Fuel type
Premium · Regular
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Vehicle class
Midsize Cars · Midsize-Large Station Wagons
Annual fuel-cost estimate
$3100–4200

05 · Evidence strength

Exact identity. Explicit limits.

No opaque score. Evidence strength is expressed through source availability, exact match method, jurisdiction and honest empty states.

exact match

Recall campaigns

6 exact US model-year records in this bounded view.

exact match

Complaints

885 exact US model-year allegations; narratives and VIN fragments are omitted.

exact match

ODI investigations

14 exact US model-year action numbers in the approved import snapshot.

canonical only

Model aliases

Only the exact NHTSA vPIC model name is published; unverified aliases are not merged.

not published

Manufacturer ownership

No rights-reviewed official ownership record is joined to this exact model-year.

PUBLIC EVIDENCE PASSPORT

Identity, freshness and provenance.

The canonical URL is this file’s permanent public identifier. Source IDs and timestamps show exactly what was matched and when; they do not turn the evidence into a verdict.

Permanent public ID
https://modelyearfacts.com/vehicle/1992/ford/taurus
NHTSA make ID
460
NHTSA model ID
1782
Match key
1992 · FORD · Taurus · US
Live evidence requested
EPA publication catalogue
Complaint matrix snapshot
Imported safety snapshot
nhtsa-investigations · exact match

NHTSA ODI investigations

Action number, component, subject and open/close dates from the approved bulk import; long summaries omitted.

Open official source ↗
US-market boundary

Only NHTSA vPIC, NHTSA ODI complaints and investigations, NHTSA recalls and FuelEconomy.gov contribute to this vehicle claim. CPSC equipment notices are searched separately and never joined to vehicle fitment. UK MOT, Canadian, New Zealand and European records are not merged into this US claim.

06 · Research paths

Diagnose first. Confirm fitment.

These are transparent searches, not diagnoses or endorsed parts. Recall remedies come before purchases; exact part fitment requires VIN, trim, powertrain, production date and OE number.

Offers status: held

Awin US and R2 affiliate inventory are not published until a US programme, merchant and exact-fitment projection are approved. No offer currently has both merchant approval and exact vehicle fitment, so commercial links never count as evidence.