VehicleVerdict

1993 Ford Taurus (sho) problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 1993 Ford Taurus (sho) — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Taurus (sho) years?

Taurus (sho) NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted40 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 29 complaints1994: 13 complaints1995: 9 complaints1996: 31 complaints1997: 40 complaints1998: 14 complaints1999: 22 complaints
Taurus (sho) NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Taurus (sho) years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Ford Taurus (sho) problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control828%
Brakes414%
Engine414%
Electrical System310%
Body & Structure310%
Transmission27%
Lighting13%
Steering13%
Fuel System13%
Suspension13%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)13%

Does the 1993 Ford Taurus (sho) have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 FORD TAURUS SHO. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE UNDERHOOD FIRE. ON MARCH 5, 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD SAFETY RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 26, 2006 · fire

“ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN SOUTH SHORE DR. IN THE TOWN OF DELAVAN IN WALWORTH COUNTY WISCONSIN AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30AM & 12:30PM. WE WERE TRAVELING EAST TO WEST WHERE WE APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN AT THE CORNER OF COUNTY ROAD O SOUTH AND SOUTH SHORE DR. TENNESSA WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 16, 2014 · crash

“VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT SPEEDS FROM 5 TO 50 MPH ON WET ROADS OR PAVEMENT WITH LOOSE GRAVEL. ABS ACTIVATES AND VEHICLES MAKES NO ATTEMPT TO SLOW DOWN. *TR ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 14, 2005

“VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN REAR END COLLISIONS. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, FUEL PUMP, TIMING BELT, AND SOME WIRES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. CONSUMER WAS RESTRAINED FROM DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 9, 2003

“ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000, MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED UNDER A RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF SUB FRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS; YET MY SERVICING DEALER (ELK RIVER FORD, ELK RIVER,MN.) AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 8, 2003

1993 Ford Taurus (sho) — common questions

Is the 1993 Ford Taurus (sho) reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1993 Taurus (sho) problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (8 complaints), engine (4 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 1993 Ford Taurus (sho) have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Ford Taurus (sho). Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Taurus (sho) years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Taurus (sho) years to avoid are 1997, 1996. The cleanest record among Taurus (sho) years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.