NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
52 reportsClear category filter95,000 miles · Aug 4, 2004
Power TrainSteeringStructure
WE HAVE A 1989 TAURUS W/OD TRANSMISSION THAT SHIFTS HARD AND ROUGH, ALSO THE FRONT AND REAR RATTLES AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALLS FOR THIS ON OUR VEHICLE. THE PAINT IS BLISTERING WITH ORANGE RUST COMING THROUGH, AND THE STEARING (POWER W/TILT) HAS A JERK IN IT. CAN YOU OR WILL YOU HELP…
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WE HAVE A 1989 TAURUS W/OD TRANSMISSION THAT SHIFTS HARD AND ROUGH, ALSO THE FRONT AND REAR RATTLES AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALLS FOR THIS ON OUR VEHICLE. THE PAINT IS BLISTERING WITH ORANGE RUST COMING THROUGH, AND THE STEARING (POWER W/TILT) HAS A JERK IN IT. CAN YOU OR WILL YOU HELP ME WITH THESE DEFECTS?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10086192
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2002
Power TrainSteering
JIM DANDY TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I HAVE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEARING LEAKING WHERE THERE WAS NO LEAKS AND THE POWER STEARING WORKED FINE BEFORE THEY WORKED ON MY TAURUS THEY ARE LOCATED ON CALLEN STREET IN VACAVILLE CA. PHONE 449-8282. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITIION THAT THE POW…
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JIM DANDY TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I HAVE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEARING LEAKING WHERE THERE WAS NO LEAKS AND THE POWER STEARING WORKED FINE BEFORE THEY WORKED ON MY TAURUS THEY ARE LOCATED ON CALLEN STREET IN VACAVILLE CA. PHONE 449-8282. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITIION THAT THE POWER STEARING IS IN NOW. TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION THEY DROP THE FRONT A FRAME MOTER AND ALL SO THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH THE POWER STEERING TO DO THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. IT WAS NOT LEAKING BEFORE WHY DO THEY THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE BACK TO ME LEAKING AND THEY HAVE BEEN PAYED 1,850 CASH FOR THE REPAIR. I DO WISH TO FILL A COMPLANT AGAINST JIM DANDY TRANSMISSION TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED CORRECTLLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP IN THI MATTER OR BE ABLE TO DIRECT ME TO THE PROPER PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP ME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #757573
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2001
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HAD OIL-LIKE ODOR CAUSED BY THE OVERHEATED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE ALSO LURCHS WHEN IN GEAR AND WHEN STOPPED. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. FINALLY,THE OVERDRIVE MODE FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT,AND THE CONSUMER SAYS IT SHOU…
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THE VEHICLE HAD OIL-LIKE ODOR CAUSED BY THE OVERHEATED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE ALSO LURCHS WHEN IN GEAR AND WHEN STOPPED. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. FINALLY,THE OVERDRIVE MODE FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT,AND THE CONSUMER SAYS IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *YH
NHTSA ODI #561829
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, FIRST TIME WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND ONE COST $1800. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #557585
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2000
Power Train
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE JUMPS OUT OF GEAR. MANUIFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858001
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 1999
Power Train
FORD NEEDS TO FIX THESE TRANSMISSIONS--WE'RE ON OUR FOURTH--THIS IS RIDICULOUS!
NHTSA ODI #716192
Mileage unknown · May 3, 1999
Power Train
WORK DONE AT RACETTE FORD IN OSHKOSH, MAINTAINENCE CHARGED FOR SAME WORK 2 AND 3 TIMES. DROVE CAR ONLY 303 MILES AFTER WORK COMPLETED CAR FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION. TRANSMISSION BLEW UP AFTER SERVICE PERFORMED BY DEALER. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER AND DEALER RECIEVED NO SATISFACTION. SMALL CLAIMS COURT FILED CLAIM PENDING ACTION.…
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WORK DONE AT RACETTE FORD IN OSHKOSH, MAINTAINENCE CHARGED FOR SAME WORK 2 AND 3 TIMES. DROVE CAR ONLY 303 MILES AFTER WORK COMPLETED CAR FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION. TRANSMISSION BLEW UP AFTER SERVICE PERFORMED BY DEALER. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER AND DEALER RECIEVED NO SATISFACTION. SMALL CLAIMS COURT FILED CLAIM PENDING ACTION. DEALER MANAGER TODD INFORMED AND STATED THAT " FRONT ROTORS ON CAR ARE NOT A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE STATE OF WI." STATED THAT "WI. ONLY HAS LAW TO SAFETY ON BRAKE PADS NOT ROTORS." TRYING TO CLARIFY IF WI LAW HAS SAFETY ISSUE ON ROTORS. PLEASE RESPOND VIA E MAIL OR US POSTAL. H BOHLMAN ALSO CAR WAS SERVICED BY RACETTE AS PREVIOUSLY STATED AND WORK WAS NOT DONE AS WAS CHARGED FOR. AWAITING HEARING IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT.
NHTSA ODI #706185
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1999
Power TrainSteering
POWER STEERING PERFORMS POORLY/STICKING. NM
NHTSA ODI #545251
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 1999
Power Train
WHENEVER VEHICLE ACCELERATES, TRANSMISSION WOULD GRAB. THIS CAUSES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEARS TO NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS AT ALL. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT & NEEDED REPLACING IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836173
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 1999
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DID NOT KICK INTO GEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED AND EXPLAINED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW, FORWARD CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN UPPER GEAR, A PISTON IS FRACTURED DUE TO POOR DESIGN. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835113
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
17DP95004 · 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
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