Model year record

1991 Ford Taurus

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 946 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 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

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.