Model year record

1989 Ford Taurus

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 762 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V323000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,697,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-16
Owners notified
1999-01-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V113000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
565,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-08-17
Owners notified
1992-10-30

Defect description

THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUCKLE EJECTOR FINGER AND THE BUCKLE TONGUE WINDOW. THE SECOND DEFECT IS THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT LATCH. THE THIRD POSSIBLE DEFECT IS THAT THE TONGUE MAY BE RETAINED BY THE BUCKLE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE LATCHED SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

Safety risk

AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. IF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEOCCUPANT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V065000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
654,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-05-11
Owners notified
1992-05-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V134000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
325,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-08-06
Owners notified
1991-09-26

Defect description

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.

Safety risk

SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 91V036000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
278,000
Reported to NHTSA
1991-03-04
Owners notified
1991-05-10

Defect description

THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Safety risk

POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.

Manufacturer remedy

REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly108
Electrical system: ignition: switch55
Structure: frame and members5095,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine4860,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3995,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline38
Electrical system: ignition25
Vehicle speed control1896,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor13
Seat belts: front: retractor12
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components12
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar12
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator11
Electrical system: wiring11
Seat belts1162,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly11
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood10
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections10
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner9
Seat belts: front: anchorage9200,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash8
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system8
Steering895,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system8
Wheels: rim8
Tires7
Power train: manual transmission6
Structure: body: door6
Unknown or other671,775 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly5
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys5
Fuel system, gasoline5
Electrical system: starter assembly4
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor490,090 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump4
Seats: front assembly: power adjust4
Structure: body4
Suspension495,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs495,746 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4
Electrical system3
Engine and engine cooling360,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights3
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch3
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Power train: axle assembly3
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint3
Seat belts: front: webbing3
Seats3
Steering: linkages3
Suspension: front3
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Steering: rack and pinion: rack2
Structure253,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels2
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1150,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1988 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1990 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.