Model year record

1989 Ford Taurus

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

Ford Taurus, 1986–1991 generation
Pictured: the 1986–1991 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Ford Taurus model years

All Ford Taurus recalls by year

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.