1991 Ford Taurus

High concern

Owners filed 649 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission191
302
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine58
100
Structure › Frame and Members41
100
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly28
110
Air Bags › Frontal23
16012
Power Train › Manual Transmission17
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline17
030
Air Bags16
402
Vehicle Speed Control11
502
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc11
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Structure › Frame and Members98V323000
Filed Dec 16, 19982,697,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Vehicle Speed Control97V025000
Filed Feb 26, 1997212,700 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber94E036000
Filed Nov 25, 199498,000 vehiclesMonroe Auto Corp.

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.

Wheels92V065000
Filed May 11, 1992654,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor91V134000
Filed Aug 6, 1991325,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Oct 28, 201289,163 milesTX

MY 1991 NON SHO FORD TAURUS WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 1 DAY. I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR IN THE EARLY MORNING TO TAKE IT TO WORK. I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT WAS AT THIS MOMENT, THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I ENDED UP GOING IN REVERSE DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT BRAKES AT A VERY RAPID SPEED. I CAME TO A JARRING STOP AFTER I IMPACTED A CAR THAT WAS PARKED ON THE STREET. BRAKES WERE SQUISHY AND NON-FUNCTIONING. THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO STOP BY MECHANICAL MEANS. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 45 MILES AN HOUR. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND IS VISUALLY COMPLETELY WRECKED. I EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH AND IF THE CAR WAS NOT IN THE STREET THAT MORNING, I WOULD HAVE SMASHED INTO A HOUSE, POSSIBLY KILLING SOMEONE OR MYSELF IN THE PROCESS. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Oct 15, 2010SC

1991 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG MODULE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 13, 201069,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING FORWARD AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

SteeringFire
Filed May 11, 2010148,000 milesNH

A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK NEAR THE RACK RESULTED IN A FIRE, WHICH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 24, 2010PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR, BATTERY, MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS) AND 91V134000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: DISC: ROTOR) YET DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS A SECOND TIME AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TO REPORT THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 9, 201025,480 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BUMPER WAS PARTIALLY OUT OF THE GARAGE. HE DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, TO CLEAR THE GARAGE DOOR DID NOT TOUCH ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS $5,000 IN DAMAGES TO VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,480.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Nov 12, 2007138,000 milesGA

THE BLOWER MOTOR IN MY 1991 FORD TAURUS IS STARTING TO GO OUT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF. I WILL TURN THE HEAT ON HIGH IN THE MORNINGS TO WARM UP THE CAR AN WITHIN A 10-15 MINUTE TIME FRAME - THE MOTOR WILL EITHER STOP BLOWING COMPLETELY OR BARELY BLOW. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL UNDER 03V087000 AND COMPLAINT NUMBER 10184014. AS I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD VEHICLES AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 15, 2005125,000 milesNE

I WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC RECENTLY THAT MY VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE. HE SHOWED ME THE REAR SUBFRAME BOLT THAT WAS DETERIORATED TO ABOUT HALF OF ITS ORIGINAL SIZE AND THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED HEAVILY AND CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THIS WAS AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE ON MY VEHICLE IN 1999 FOR NHTSA ARTICLE NO. 98V323000. SO THE WORK THAT WAS DONE TO KEEP THE SUBFRAME FROM FALLING IS NOT HOLDING UP AND IT APPEARS THAT IT COULD BREAK SOON. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 14, 2005IL

WHILE DRIVING GEARS JUMP. THERE IS RECALL 96V166000. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD OF OTHER FORD VEHICLES WITH DESIGN DEFECTS. *TC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 29, 2004TX

BELTS ON TIRE BCAME SEPARATED, CAUSING TIRE TO COME APART. *AK

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Oct 25, 2004PA

THE TRANS-AXLE RECALL WAS NEVER REPAIRED EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED 3 TIMES FOR OTHER RECALLS, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE RECALLS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. NLM *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor ShiftCrash
Filed Aug 6, 2004102,000 milesCA

MY FORD TAURUS 1991 STATION WAGON LUNGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER BACKING UP, BRAKING, THEN STARTING TO GO FORWARD. IT WENT AGAINST A WALL, THE BRAKE DIDN'T WORK, THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS CRASHED, I HAD TO PUT IT INTO PARK TO STOP IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANY OTHER CAR SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC TESTED IT AND IT DID THIS ANOTHER 3 TIMES.*AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 1, 2004RI

I WAS NOTIFIED BY MY MECHANIC THAT MY 1991 TAURUS-STATION WAGON HAD A RECALL REGARDING THE SUB-FRAME. HE SUGGESTED I CALL RIZZO-FORD IN NO. PROVIDENCE, R.I. ON MINERAL SPRING AVE. WHEN I CALLED I SPOKE TO REPRESENTATIVE RICK MARRCONTE AND HE AGREED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND HE WOULD FIX MY CAR, BRING IT IN HE SAID. A FEW DAYS LATER RICK CALLS ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT NOT ONLY THE NUT OF THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED, BUT ALSO THE SUBFRAME ITSELF WAS ROTTED AND IT WOULD COST $900.00 TO FIX AND HE TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT WORTH IT. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I PLAYED PHONE TAG WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HOT LINE WHICH SEEMED LIKE FOREVER. A SHEILA INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF THE COMPANY AGREED TO REPAIR IT. SHE LATER EXPLAINED THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR. THIS FAULT IN MY CAR ALMOST HAD ME AND MY 6 YEAR OLD GRANDSON IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I TOLD THE WOMAN SHEILA THIS SHE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHEN BUYING THIS CAR THAT I SHOULD HAVE CALLED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALLS. THIS I DO NOT UNDERSTAND...SHE WANTED ME TO CALL AND FIND OUT IF MY CAR WAS A 'LEMON'? NOW BECAUSE THIS DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HELP ME IT NOW MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PERHAPS GO TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP THAT MAY HAVE BE ABLE TO HELP ME. I AM A STUDENT @ URI/CCE, ALSO WORKING, AND TAKING CARE OF MY 80 YEAR OLD FATHER. PRIOR TO THIS DAMAGE I HAD JUST FIX THIS CAR FOR $750.00, WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS APPEARS TO BE DISHONEST AND A WAY TO GET

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 9, 200489,000 milesSD

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP A JERKING MOTION WAS PRODUCED. AS A RESULT, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. DEALER STATED MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. A RECALL 98V323000 WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Structure › Body
Filed May 23, 2004NJ

AFTER THE RECOMMENDED 1 YEAR WAIT FOR WAXING, I DECIDED SINCE THE MILD WASHINGS WERE CONTINUING TO MAKE THE CAR DULLER I WOULD GIVE IT A SHINE. IT WAS BAD ENOUGH THAT PAINT CONTINUED TO COME OFF WHEN DRYING REGULARLY BUT I WAS MORTIFIED WHEN I TESTED AN AREA AND IT LOOKED LIKE WATER COLORS WERE USED AS PAINT. AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, I HAVE CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO LUCK. ON ONE OCCASION A UNDISCLOSED PERSON SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH OR NO CLEAR COAT AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. SO LUCKILY THE STADIUM AUTOMALL IN RUTHERFORD IS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE I LIVE. THIS IS ALSO WHERE I PURCHASED IT 13 YEARS AGO. THE MAN ADMITTED IT WAS DULL AND A GOOD WAXING PROFESSIONALLY WOULD HELP. I TOLD HIM I WOULD BE TO EMBARASSED BECAUSE THE PAINT COMES OFF EVEN WHEN I DRY IT AFTER A WASHING. HE NEVER CHECKED IF THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT IT.I MUST POINT OUT WE ARE AVID FORD BUYERS AND MY HUSBANDS 10 YEAR OLD TRUCK WAS RE-PAINTED FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER THE RECALLS LISTED IN YOUR WEB PAGE ON MY VEHICLE WERE ONLY ONCE REPORTED TO ME. THAT THE WAS THE CHILD SAFETY CATCH. JUST RECENTLY MY TIE-ROD SNAPPED ON RT.3 IN SECAUCUS, N.J. LUCKILY FOR ME I AM STILL ALIVE TO WRITE TO YOU. P.S. THE OTHER THINGS SUCH AS ROTORS EXCETERA HAVE ALSO BEEN DONE AT MY EXPENSE. MY CAR ONLY JUST CLICKED OVR 89,000 MILES FOR GOODNESS SAKE. THIS IS THE BEST WEBSITE!! E

Child Seat
Filed May 5, 2004IL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHILD IS ABLE TO FREE HERSELF FROM THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. ALSO, THE LATCH ON THE HARNESS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDO ONCE IT IS CLOSED. ONE OR THE OTHER OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT LEASE NINE TIMES IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 17, 2004139,000 milesIL

TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE GOING UP HILLS. ONCE WHILE GOING UP A HILL, TRANSMISSION WENT INTO REVERSE, AND VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS, NEARLY HITTING ANOTHER CAR. *AK *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 5, 200481,434 milesNY

OEM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, REQUIRING INSTALLATION OF RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $2,862.51. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 5, 200481,236 milesNY

OEM 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE FAILED, REQUIRING INSTALLTION OF RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE AT COST OF $3608.47. *JB

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Jan 15, 2004ME

I CAN'T POSSIBLY REMEMBER THE DATES THESE THINGS HAPPENED. I PUT A NEW (USED) TRANSMISSION AND THIS ONE IS SLIPPING. I PUT MORE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS THAN YOU WOULD USE IN A LIFE TIME. THE SPRINGS ARE WEAK IN THE BACK, BUT TO EXSPENSIVE TO CHANGE. I PUT A NEW FUEL PUMP AND GAS TANK. I'VE PUT A NEW EGR VALVE, OXYGEN SENSOR, THROTTLE SENSOR, AIR TEMP SENSOR. I PUT A BLINKER SWITCH AND NEW STRUTS BECAUSE MINE BROKE. 3 OUT OF 4 OF MY DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE OF THE HANDLES. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE THINGS I WROTE DOWN OR CAN REMEMBER. NOW IT WILL NOT START UNLESS I PUMP THE GAS(IT'S FUEL INJECTED) AND KEEP TURNING IT OVER AND OVER. THEN I'M NOT SURE IF IT WILL START AGAIN WHEN I SHUT IT OFF. THE FUEL PUMP IS WORKING I THINK, I CAN HEAR IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND THE PERSON PUT A 1989 MOTOR INTO A 1991 BODY. THESE THINGS STILL WENT WRONG WITH THE CAR EITHER WAY. I DID NOT CHECK ANY BELOW BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO CHECK.

20 of 649 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201915200Routine
201849410Routine
201744400Routine
201681410Routine
2015275610Above average
2014229510Above average
2013583960Above average
201278530Routine
2011187421Fatalities reported
2010204352Fatalities reported
200964010Routine
2008175170Routine
2007149100Routine
2006318341Fatalities reported
20057741102Fatalities reported
20043752132Fatalities reported
20031,2234122Fatalities reported
20021,4264110High concern
20011,03710155Fatalities reported
20001,1958251Fatalities reported
19998747164Fatalities reported
19985454144Fatalities reported
19977705124Fatalities reported
19968258121Fatalities reported
19951,2056542Fatalities reported
19949235233Fatalities reported
19931,5578493Fatalities reported
19926816212Fatalities reported
1991 — this page6495210High concern
19903818230High concern

Compare every Taurus year →

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 16, 1998. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.