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1989 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 562 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports82 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

97 reports
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90,090 miles · Sep 5, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN VIN#[XXX] AND WENT FOR INSPECTION ON 8/8/03 AND FAILED EMISSION CONTROL#92E30 DUE TO A RECALL ON CATALYST#93E47 WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED .FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THIS BY LETTER EVER ! ALSO THIS HAS NEVER COME UP ON ANY OF MY PRIOR INSPECTIONS THEIR FOR I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS SINCE YOU NEVER SENT ANY INFORMATION OR RE…

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I OWN VIN#[XXX] AND WENT FOR INSPECTION ON 8/8/03 AND FAILED EMISSION CONTROL#92E30 DUE TO A RECALL ON CATALYST#93E47 WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED .FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THIS BY LETTER EVER ! ALSO THIS HAS NEVER COME UP ON ANY OF MY PRIOR INSPECTIONS THEIR FOR I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS SINCE YOU NEVER SENT ANY INFORMATION OR RECEIVED A CALL FROM ANY ONE ON THIS MATTER AND NOW THIS HAS COME ABOUT AND I SHOULD NOT BE HELD LIABLE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I DID MYSELF .I SHOULD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND GIVEN THE SAME OPPORTUNITY AS OTHERS TO CORRECT THIS MATTER. PLEASE RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS AND TELL ME HOW CAN I CORRECT THIS MATTER WITHOUT ANY FURTHER PROBLEM FOR ME OR YOUR COMPANY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10037298

60,000 miles · May 27, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLES' ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *MR

NHTSA ODI #10022407

60,000 miles · Apr 9, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *MR

NHTSA ODI #10015538

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10004717

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING, AFTER WHICH BLACK SMOKE EMITS FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT STALLS OUT, POSSIBE ENGINE FAILURE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #566570

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsFire

WEBBING ON BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS CAUSE THEM NOT TO RETRACT AFTER SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED, ALSO IT'S HARD TO LOCK THE BELTS EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WEBBING IS GOOD, HOWEVER THE SEAT BELT DOES RESTRAIN CONSUMER IF THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED SUDDENLY, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING W…

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WEBBING ON BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS CAUSE THEM NOT TO RETRACT AFTER SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED, ALSO IT'S HARD TO LOCK THE BELTS EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WEBBING IS GOOD, HOWEVER THE SEAT BELT DOES RESTRAIN CONSUMER IF THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED SUDDENLY, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT BELTS, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED.8JB

NHTSA ODI #8002180

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #895047

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLS REPEATEDY AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER SAID THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS BAD, WHICH COST ME $400 , BUT THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY STALLED WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. I RETURNED THE CAR, BUT THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON IT DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK (WHICH WAS IN THE RECOVERY RESEVOIR NOT LEAVING THE COOLANT LOW IN THE ENGINE). THEY IN…

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ENGINE STALLS REPEATEDY AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER SAID THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS BAD, WHICH COST ME $400 , BUT THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY STALLED WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. I RETURNED THE CAR, BUT THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON IT DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK (WHICH WAS IN THE RECOVERY RESEVOIR NOT LEAVING THE COOLANT LOW IN THE ENGINE). THEY INSISTED THAT THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND THAT NOTHING ELSE SHOWED UP. I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR TO WORK AND AVERAGE ABOUT 5 STALLS IN A 24 MILE ROUND TRIP EVERY DAY (ANY SPEED).*AK

NHTSA ODI #750346

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN, THIS CAUSED THE EXHAUST CONVERTER ASS'Y TO FAIL AN CAUSE A EXHAUST LEAK BY THE ENGINE MAKING THE ENGINE RUN HOT. HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE STALLING OUT IN HOT WEATHER, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, FUEL ENJECTORS, AND IGNITION MODULE CAR IS STILL STALLING OUT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM 700F AND…

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THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN, THIS CAUSED THE EXHAUST CONVERTER ASS'Y TO FAIL AN CAUSE A EXHAUST LEAK BY THE ENGINE MAKING THE ENGINE RUN HOT. HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE STALLING OUT IN HOT WEATHER, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, FUEL ENJECTORS, AND IGNITION MODULE CAR IS STILL STALLING OUT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM 700F AND ABOVE. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG (NO CODES). LET THE CAR SIT AND WILL START AFTER A WHILE, SOME TIME 1 MINUTE SOMETIMES 1 HOUR.

NHTSA ODI #745218

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKET IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO RADIATOR CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #878284

Official recalls

5

98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members

Dec 16, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

92V113000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Aug 17, 1992

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

92V065000 · Wheels

May 11, 1992

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

91V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Aug 6, 1991

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

91V036000 · Seats

Mar 4, 1991

THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.

Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

17

DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods

Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks

Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE93099 · Steering LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT

Opened Nov 30, 1993 · Closed Mar 28, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE93065 · Underbody Fuel Line Fails

Opened Jul 15, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail

Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

There is no summary currently available

Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE92056 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail

Opened Jul 1, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE92044 · Power Steering Leaks/fires

Opened Apr 27, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE92014 · Engine Mount Failure

Opened Feb 4, 1992 · Closed Jun 25, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

EA91042 · Storage Compar Suffocation

Opened Oct 28, 1991 · Closed May 21, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

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PE91128 · Fires In Ignition Switch

Opened Sep 17, 1991 · Closed Jan 27, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE91108 · Storage Compar Suffocation

Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA91011 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure

Opened Dec 18, 1990 · Closed Aug 13, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

EA90045 · Brake Disc Hub Separations

Opened Sep 28, 1990 · Closed Sep 12, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

EA90042 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE90071 · Brake Disc Hub Failure

Opened Apr 2, 1990 · Closed Jun 28, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

PE90066 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Mar 27, 1990 · Closed Aug 31, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available