1994 Ford TAURUS SHO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
110,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 36.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10133682 · 2005-08-21 (August 21, 2005)
CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION, BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK, COULD NOT GET CAR OUT OF PARK, #1 -15 AMP FUSE KEPT BURNING OUT. CAR HAS HAD THESE PROBLEMS FOR 1 YEAR. FUSE WOULD SOMETIME BURN OUT OTHER TIMES WOULD WORK FINE. DRAINED BATTERY. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY, REPLACED SPEED CONTROL SWITCH THAT GOES ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. CAUSE OF FAILURE. BRAKE FLUID LEEKED INTO SWITCH. FOUND PROBLEM WHEN CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY EXCESSIVE AMPS BEING PULLED FROM BATTERY, THE SWITCH WAS SMOKING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176779 · 2006-12-21 (December 21, 2006)
DURING A PANIC STOP IN MY 1994 FORD TAURUS SHO I EXPERIENCED A HYDRAULIC FAILURE IN MY BRAKES. THIS WAS DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES. I CAME WITHIN 6 INCHES OF REAR ENDING ANOTHER CAR. I REPLACED BRAKE LINES FROM THE AREA WHERE IT WAS SOUND BACK TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE FORWARD LINES PROBABLY SHOULD ALSO BE REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127352 · 2005-07-03 (July 3, 2005)
1994 FORD TAURUS SHO. CAR WAS SITTING IDLE NOT RUNNING FOR HOURS AND SUDDENLY STARTED ON FIRE. APPROXIMENTLY 1 MONTH BEFORE THIS THE CRUISE CONTROL JUST STOPPED WORKING. ALL WIRING IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND THE MOTOR IS NON REPAIRABLE. THE FIRE WAS FROM UNDER THE HOOD, DRIVERS SIDE, NEAR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT STARTED BEHIND THE FIREWALL. I HAVE SEEN ON THE NEWS AND HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE CALLED [phone removed], AND THEY SAY THERE HAS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10127352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558473 · 2000-12-12 (December 12, 2000)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STALLING DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A MODULE BECAUSE IT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN ST. LOUIS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558473 at NHTSA ↗