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1995 Ford Taurus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Taurus.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1995 Ford Taurus is a passenger car specified for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. This model year is characterized by 9 recalls and 1,360 total owner complaints, with the power train identified as the top complaint area. Within the model's broader history from 1990 to 2019, the 1995 version sits between the high of 1,822 complaints in 1993 and the low of 11 complaints in 2019.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 1995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 ex. Police · 650 ex. Police CCA battery. Note the factory thermostat is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 ex. Police · 650 ex. Police CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-65R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat

RT1053 discontinued · alt RT1112

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	192.1 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	53.9 in
Wheelbase	105.9 in
Curb weight	3095 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	65/35

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Taurus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 1995 SHO Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	SHO Sedan 3.2L V6	7.70 sec	15.80 sec	220 hp	FWD
1996	SHO Sedan 3.4L V8	8.00 sec	16.20 sec	235 hp	FWD
1996	LX Sedan 3.0L V6	8.70 sec	16.50 sec	145 hp	FWD
1996	LX Wagon 3.0L V6	8.90 sec	16.70 sec	145 hp	FWD
1996	LX Sedan 3.0L V6	9.40 sec	16.90 sec	145 hp	FWD
1996	GL Sedan 3.0L V6	10.00 sec	17.50 sec	145 hp	FWD
1993	SHO Sedan 3.2L V6	7.50 sec	15.40 sec	220 hp	FWD
1997	SHO Sedan 3.4L V8	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	235 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	SYNTHETIC · 5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	SYNTHETIC · 5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	1.0-2.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.0-8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	20.0-28.0 ft-lbs
Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts	12.0-24.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	31.0-36.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	29.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	12.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	22.0-28.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-105 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	23.0-36.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	7.0-15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	14.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00-2.15 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	Oil must meet ford specification WSHM1C231B
Oil Capacity	6.50-7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	65 ex. Police
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 ex. Police cca
Optional BCI Group Number	65 Police or Optional

Service checks

Pressure Test	16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	190 °F

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	18-25 ft-lbs / 23-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	64-88 ft-lbs / 85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.030
Drum Runout Limit	0.005 in
Drum Nominal Diameter	9.843 in / 8.858 in
Drum Maximum Machining	9.902 in / 8.917 in
Drum Discard at-or-over Note	Discard value not supplied by manufacturer

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	28-31 ft. lbs.	28–31 ft. lbs
2	85-90 degrees.	85–90 degrees
3	Loosen one turn.
4	28-31 ft. lbs.	28–31 ft. lbs
5	85-90 degrees.	85–90 degrees
6	85-90 degrees.	85–90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
2	mum of one full turn
3	33-41 ft. lbs.	33–41 ft. lbs
4	63-73

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	14 ft. lbs.	14 ft. lbs
2	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
3	36 ft. lbs.; Perform following 3 steps on each bolt; before moving to next bolt in sequence	36 ft. lbs
1	loosen 2-3 turns
2	if long bolt	30–37 ft. lbs
3	turn 175-185 degrees; Proceed to next bolt in sequence	175–185 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	35-40 ft. lbs.	35–40 ft. lbs
2	56-60

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 25,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1995 Ford Taurus sits near the peak of a complaint surge that began in 1993 (1,822 complaints), with 1995 recording 1,360 complaints—still elevated compared to the 1990-1992 baseline of 522-885 complaints, though below the 1993 high. Recall activity remained at the generation's maximum of 9 recalls (tied with 1996), while TSBs continued climbing to 166 in 1995 and would peak at 313 in 1996, indicating ongoing factory attention to emerging issues. Power Train (354) and Engine & Engine Cooling (296) dominated complaints, with 69 crash-related complaints and 57 fire-related complaints also recorded for this model year. The trend shows complaints declining steadily after 1995 (967 in 1996, 587 in 1998), suggesting the 1995 model falls within a troubled production window that was gradually being addressed. The 1995 Taurus is not the best year to buy within this generation—the later years (1997-1998) show meaningfully lower complaint volumes while still sharing the same platform refinements.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

166

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,360

Owner complaints

69 involved a crash · 57 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94’95’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,360 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train354

Engine & Engine Cooling296

Electrical System80

Vehicle Speed Control66

Service Brakes, Hydraulic65

Suspension55

Structure52

Air Bags52

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

01I011000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:FanReported 21/12/2001

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… Remedy: 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…

01V390000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:FanReported 21/12/2001

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 166 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
4102	2003-10-30	Engine And Engine Cooling	EBP SOLENOID SERVICE SEPARATELY FROM TURBO. SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE. MAKE/MODEL UNKNOWN…
03181	2003-09-15	Electrical System	REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
03148	2003-07-21	Power Train	NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
16714	2003-03-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	FOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
02221	2002-11-11	Engine And Engine Cooling	ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Taurus. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Thermostat RT1053

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1995 Taurus take?

4.5 qt of SYNTHETIC 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1995 Taurus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.