Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,360 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Ford Taurus, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 354 | 26% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 296 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 80 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 66 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 65 | 5% |
| Suspension | 55 | 4% |
| Structure | 52 | 4% |
| Air bags | 52 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 47 | 3% |
| Visibility | 34 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THIS PAST SUNDAY, ON JUNE 11, 2017 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A GRADUATION PARTY AND THERE WAS A LOUD "POW" ONCE I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP. MY STEERING WAS VERY STIFF (AS IF I WAS DRIVING AN ANCIENT LARGE TRUCK WITH NO POW
NHTSA complaint: Steering
HIT A ROCK IN THE ROAD CAUSING MASSIVE DEFLATION AND LEADING TO WRECK OF CAR. TIRES HAVE BEEN SENT INTO GENERAL/CONTINENTAL AND THEY HAVE DENIED ANY CLAIMS. AFTER LOOKING AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON GENERAL ALTIMAX HP
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNTED BOLTS FRACTURED WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNLEVELED ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME, THE FRONT MOUNT BOLTS, T
NHTSA complaint: Structure
BRAKE LINES AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WALL FROM THE ABS PUMP RUSTED THROUGH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAUSING LOSS OF FLUID AND ABILITY TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. *JS
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A BIG BANG CAR SLAMMED PAVEMENT BEGAN TO SWERVE. STARTED SMOKING OFF BURNED RUBBER TIRE POPPED AN CAR WAS BROKE DOWN WHEEL DANGLING. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE UNDER CARRIA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WA
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
MY 1995 TAURUS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUB-FRAME MOUNT RETAINER PLATE. THE RETAINER PLATE HAD BECOME SEVERELY CORRODED OVER TIME AND THIS CORROSION HAD WEAKENED THE RETAINER PLATE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE BOLT HEAD
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1995 Ford Taurus. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 TAURUS/SABLE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND 1995 FORD MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POS
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FI
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR ASSEMBLY AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMERS. FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES FRO
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FI
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER
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, OH
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 85 | excellent |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,360 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 354 of them (26%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.