Model year record

1990 Ford Taurus

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 542 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 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

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.