Model year record

1990 Ford Taurus

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 542 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 90V159000

Wheels: hubcap/cover

Component
Wheels: hubcap/cover
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,212
Reported to NHTSA
1990-08-28
Owners notified
1990-09-26

Defect description

WHEELS MAY CONTAIN CRACKS THAT COULD PROPOGATE IN RAISED PORTION OF WHEEL CENTER.

Safety risk

UNDER SEVERE DUTY, THIS COULD RESULT IN EVENTUALSEPARATION OF WHEEL RIM FROM CENTER WITH LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLY ACOLLISION.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE WHEELS WITH WHEELS OF A REVISED DESIGN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V171000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,900
Reported to NHTSA
1989-10-13
Owners notified
1989-10-04

Defect description

AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.

Safety risk

HEADLAMPS COULD TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ORREMAIN ON AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED. LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHTCOULD BE HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER TRAFIFIC.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure: frame and members6470,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine42
Power train: automatic transmission29136,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline26
Air bags: frontal2570,000 mi
Vehicle speed control23
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1883,000 mi
Air bags1657,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch12
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner12
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer12
Electrical system: ignition11
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly11
Steering: linkages9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor8
Steering8119,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion7
Unknown or other7100,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission6
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections6
Suspension: front6
Tires: tread/belt6
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump5
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core5210,000 mi
Electrical system470,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor4
Power train: axle assembly4
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4110,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor4
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs4
Electrical system: wiring3
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control3
Exterior lighting: headlights3
Fuel system, gasoline3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint3
Seat belts370,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3240,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid3
Suspension: front: macpherson strut3
Suspension: front: shock absorber3
Vehicle speed control: linkages3
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2
Electrical system: horn2
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling2
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Structure2
Structure: body2
Suspension2
Tires2
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Wheels2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train1100,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light190,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1
Visibility: windshield1
Wheels: hubcap/cover1
Wheels: rim1

The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP96014DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

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.