Model year record

1991 Ford Taurus

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 946 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 97V025000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
212,700
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Safety risk

DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission22181,434 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine8881,236 mi
Structure: frame and members51125,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly40—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline28—
Air bags: frontal24—
Power train: manual transmission23—
Air bags22—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner20—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor19—
Vehicle speed control1725,480 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components14—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc14—
Power train: axle assembly13—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module10—
Electrical system: ignition10—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood10—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly10—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip10—
Suspension: front10—
Tires10—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer10—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system9—
Electrical system: ignition: switch8—
Steering: linkages8—
Suspension8—
Unknown or other8—
Wheels8—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system7—
Steering: rack and pinion7—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery6—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly6—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar6—
Electrical system: ignition: module5—
Exterior lighting: headlights5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum5—
Steering5148,000 mi
Structure: body5—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal5—
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump4—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Electrical system: starter assembly3—
Electrical system: wiring3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Engine and engine cooling3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Power train3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3—
Structure: body: door3—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut3—
Tires: tread/belt3—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Exterior lighting: tail lights2—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock2—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2—
Power train: driveline: differential unit2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2102,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic2—
Structure2100,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar2—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire2—
Vehicle speed control: cables2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Child seat1—
Electrical system1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel/propulsion system189,163 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1102,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes189,163 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1138,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1990 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1992 model has roughly the same number of 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.