The 1991 Ford Taurus has 5 safety recalls and 649 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (280 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints649filed by owners
Crashes · fires43 · 21reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths23 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Structure › Frame and members
NHTSA recall 98V323000 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 97V025000 · Feb 26, 1997 · 212,700 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
Suspension › Front › Shock absorber
NHTSA recall 94E036000 · Nov 25, 1994 · 98,000 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
Wheels
NHTSA recall 92V065000 · May 11, 1992 · 654,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 › Rotor
NHTSA recall 91V134000 · Aug 6, 1991 · 325,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1991 Ford Taurus 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
1991 Ford Taurus 4-DR. Wagon
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Taurus
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Taurus Wagon
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Taurus SHO
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
Taurus
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Taurus Wagon
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
280
4
1
2
91,717 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
147
2
4
2
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc
83
3
1
0
—
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Linkages
83
3
5
0
—
Structure Frame and members; Body
62
2
0
0
112,500 mi
Air bags Frontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module
57
22
0
15
—
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood; Ignition
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 24, 2012 · 89,163 miles · crashService brakes 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…
Jan 1, 1901Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module 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
Dec 16, 2009 · 69,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission 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.
May 10, 2010 · 148,000 miles · fireSteering A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK NEAR THE RACK RESULTED IN A FIRE, WHICH DESTROYED THE VEHICLE, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. *TR
Jan 13, 1991Power train › Automatic transmission 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.
Feb 20, 2010 · 25,480 miles · crashVehicle speed control 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.
Nov 7, 2007 · 138,000 milesVisibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor 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
Aug 5, 2005 · 125,000 milesStructure › Frame and members 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
SQ98008 · opened May 4, 1998 · closed May 8, 1998AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
DP96014 · opened Nov 14, 1996 · openDEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
EA96024 · opened Sep 30, 1996 · closed Apr 15, 1997 · led to recall 97V019000ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · opened May 2, 1996 · closed Sep 30, 1996 · led to recall 97V019000ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
DP95004 · opened Aug 8, 1995 · closed Aug 30, 1995ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · opened Feb 16, 1994 · closed Feb 27, 1995BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · opened Dec 2, 1993 · closed Jun 30, 1994POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS There is no summary currently available
PE93070 · opened Jul 27, 1993 · closed Nov 22, 1993FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS There is no summary currently available
PE93065 · opened Jul 15, 1993 · closed Nov 30, 1993UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · opened Jun 15, 1993 · closed Feb 16, 1994BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · opened Nov 30, 1992 · closed Jun 30, 1993 · led to recall 93V106001SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL There is no summary currently available
EA91042 · opened Oct 28, 1991 · closed May 21, 1992 · led to recall 92V065000STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION ===
DP91013 · opened Sep 24, 1991 · closed Jan 30, 1992ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
PE91108 · opened Aug 1, 1991 · closed Oct 28, 1991STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION There is no summary currently available