Model year record

1999 Ford Taurus

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,100 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V332000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component: Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 899,060
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-07-15
Owners notified: 2005-01-10

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2005. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON AUGUST 2, 2004. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2000-2001 MY VEHICLES AND OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2005, ADVISING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES FOR REPAIR PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1999 MY VEHICLES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED THEN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V250000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component: Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 25,306
Reported to NHTSA: 1999-09-20
Owners notified: 1999-10-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.

Safety risk

IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE ALR MODE TO BE ENGAGED, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V288000

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,800
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-11-09
Owners notified: 1998-11-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE SUPPORT BRACKET AND OVER TIME, CAN WEAR AND DEVELOP A LEAK.

Safety risk

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V204000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 6,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-09-01
Owners notified: 1998-09-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DASH INSULATOR RETAINER CLIP WAS NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DASH FITTING. THE CLIP CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND FALL INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM PIVOT AREA.

Safety risk

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ENGINE MAY NOT FULLY RETURN TO IDLE. ALSO, THE INSULATOR MAY NOT STAY IN THE INTENDED LOCATION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V198000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component: Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 7,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-08-25
Owners notified: 1998-09-04

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SEAT TRACKS. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHING STUD MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THIS HEAT TREATMENT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE STUD.

Safety risk

IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	127	61,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	92	60,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	71	65,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	49	54,241 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	29	56,500 mi
Air bags: frontal	23	100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	23	64,000 mi
Electrical system	22	100,000 mi
Suspension	22	85,796 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	20	30,016 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	19	72,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	18	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	17	90,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	17	57,445 mi
Seat belts	16	92,000 mi
Steering	16	42,470 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor	15	67,310 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	15	27,430 mi
Power train	14	90,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	14	48,690 mi
Suspension: front	14	96,000 mi
Tires	14	27,500 mi
Air bags	13	91,500 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	13	50,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	11	54,500 mi
Tires: tread/belt	11	71,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	10	46,842 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	10	132,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	10	98,908 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack	10	91,500 mi
Unknown or other	10	40,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring	10	29,995 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	9	42,320 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	9	24 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	8	62,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	8	25,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	8	—
Vehicle speed control: linkages	8	—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	7	77,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	7	72,000 mi
Exterior lighting	7	55,000 mi
Suspension: rear	7	120,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	7	53,572 mi
Visibility: windshield	7	35,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	7	2,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	6	—
Fuel system, gasoline	6	27,430 mi
Interior lighting	6	—
Structure	6	130,000 mi
Equipment	5	40,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	5	—
Service brakes	5	139,500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	5	—
Electrical system: wiring	4	33,620 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	4	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	4	90,000 mi
Fuel system, other	4	—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	4	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid	4	89,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs	4	90,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	4	47,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	3	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	3	77,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition	3	—
Electrical system: starter assembly	3	—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	3	85,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	3	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	3	55,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	3	76,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	3	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	3	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	62,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	3	67,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	3	82,719 mi
Seat belts: front	3	67,473 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	3	104,000 mi
Structure: body	3	117,000 mi
Structure: body: door	3	27,430 mi
Structure: frame and members	3	94,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	3	50,660 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs	3	97,500 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	3	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	3	2,000 mi
Child seat	2	11,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	2	33,620 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	91,500 mi
Engine	2	162,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	2	47,995 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	—
Latches/locks/linkages	2	—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines	2	83,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch	2	—
Seat belts: front: webbing	2	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	2	—
Seats: front assembly: recliner	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	2	120,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	2	100,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	2	58,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	2	—
Unknown	2	50,000 mi
Visibility	2	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	2	46,842 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior	2	—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	26,705 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	—
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	—
Equipment: other: labels	1	27,430 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch	1	54,360 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock	1	62,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	85,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly	1	14,700 mi
Seats	1	133,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	56,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	60,001 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	76,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)	1	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections	1	—
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft	1	99,201 mi
Structure: body: hood	1	—
Structure: body: trunk lid	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm	1	104,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm	1	—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar	1	50,660 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar	1	185,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	78,000 mi
Tires: markings	1	152,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	74,000 mi
Wheels	1	—

The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 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.

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.