1990 Ford Taurus

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Defect. THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.

Risk. OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Defect. THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Risk. INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy. REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

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

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

Remedy. REPLACE WHEELS WITH WHEELS OF A REVISED DESIGN.

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

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.

Remedy. REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.

HOW DO I GET FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO HONOR GENUINE NHTSA RECALLS ON A 1990 FORD TAURUS WAGON??? IT CURRENTLY HAS COMPLAINT # NHTSA 90E043001; NHTSA 98V323000; NHTSA 93V106002; NHTSA 91V34000. I CANNOT GET DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE AIR BAG MODULE DEFECT, SEAT BELT DEFECT OR CPU REPLACEMENT DEFECT. WHAT DO I DO TO GET SOME ACTION ON THESE ISSUES???? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN GREATER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENTS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR A CRASH OCCURRING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER ARMS, LACERATIONS ON HER FACE AND ARMS, AND A LARGE BURN ON HER LIP. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 5/5/09 *CN UPDATED 05/07/09.*JB

I HAD A LOOSE IGNITION ON MY 1990 FORD TAURUS IN WHICH I COULD REMOVE MY KEY WHILE IT WAS STILL RUNNING I HAD THIS CHANGED WHILE I WAS HAVING OTHER WORK DONE ON THE CAR AND LESS THEN A WEEK LATER I HAD A VERY EXPENSIVE PAPERWEIGHT BECAUSE AFTER THEY PLACED A NEW IGNITION INTO MY CAR IT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT BURNING OUT ALL THE WIRING AND DESTROYING THE WIRES CONNECTED TO MY BATTERY. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND I HAD TO LAY OUT EVEN MORE MONEY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN ANY FIRES OR RECALLS AND THAT WAS THAT. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON STAYED ON. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON FLASHES 9 TIMES PAUSES AND THEN FLASHES 9 TIMES REPEATS. CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. *JB

THE BELTS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL CAMPAIGN# 92V113000 AT 88K MILES. AT 120K MILES, THE DRIVER SIDE LATCH MECHANISM BECAME STIFF, THEN THE OUTER SLEEVE HAD COME APART. THE SLEEVE WAS PLACED BACK INTO PLACE AND THE BELT WAS BACK FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *AK *SC *JB

OWNER WAS DRIVING AND PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. OWNER HAD TO AVOID SEVERAL POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS BY PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. HOWEVER, OWNER'S VEHICLE DID HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THIS DEFECT. *AK

WHOLE BACK END OF CAR FAILED AND HAD TO HAVE IT ALL REPLACED. THE BOLTS BROKE CAUSING THE REST OF THE BACK END TO TOTALLY FAIL AND BRAKE. HAD TO HAVE IT ALL REPLACED INCLUDING THE BOLTS, REAR SUSPENSION LINKAGE, BOTH SHOCKS, AND REAR AXLE. WE PAID OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET FOR THIS TO TUNE OF 800. AND NOW TO DO ALL OF THIS THE CAR IS NOW ACTING LIKE IT IS EITHER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS GOING OUT.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE VALVE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*AK

SEAT BELT WOULD NOT SECURE FOUND 8 OTHER RECALL ITEMS FROM A CANADIAN RECALL WEB SITE THAT WERE NOT ON ANY U.S. RECALL SITES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH SUB FRAME BOLTS SNAPPED. AS A RESULT, STEERING FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

THE VEHICLE HAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING OR DEPLOY PREMATURELY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND HIT CONSUMER IN THE CHEST, PUSHING HER NECK BACK. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A SPINAL CORD INJURY AND A HERNIA DISC INJURY. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

WHEN THE PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL, I CHOSE NOT TO REPAINT THE VEHICLE DUE TO COST. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, I CHOSE NOT TO REPAIR IT DUE TO THE COST TO REPAIR. WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, I CHOSE NOT TO REPAIR DUE TO THE COST TO REPAIR. IF I GET THE TRANSMISSION FIXED, I INTEND TO HAVE THE AIRBAG FIXED AS WELL.

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPONENTS FELL ONTO THE STEERING MECHANISM, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

I HAVE A 1990 TAURUS LX WAGON THAT HAS ONE OF THE FAULTY AXOD TRANSMISSIONS. LAST YEAR THIS TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND I REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. AFTER RESENT RESEARCH,IT APPEARS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND ONLY A FEW HAVE RECEIVED ANY RESTITUTION FROM FORD (1993-95 TUARUS/SABLE OWNERS). *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ABS LIGHT STAYED ON AT ALL TIMES. HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS NOT EXPERIENCING BRAKE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE CAR SOMETIMES MOVES BACKWARDS AND VICE VERSA. NEAR ACCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.*AK

VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT A HIGH SPEED ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE DOOR. THEN, VEHICLE IMPACTED OTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

HEATER CORE LEAKS. THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 5 YEARS OF TIME. IT IS A CHEAPLY MADE PART AND PROBABLY THE MOST PROFITABLE FORD MAKES. LABOR IS 10 HOURS TO REPLACE THE PART. APPLIES TO ALL TAURUS'. *NLM