← New search

1990 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 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: 11 of 381 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports23 fire reports18 injury reports

What owners actually said

381 reports
70,000 miles · Dec 14, 2009
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

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 THE…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10295663

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2009
Structure

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 PARKI…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10277975

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2009
Air BagsInjury

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10264277

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2008
Electrical SystemFire

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10237338

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2006
Air Bags

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

NHTSA ODI #10163838

83,000 miles · May 31, 2005
Seat Belts

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

NHTSA ODI #10117742

110,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 MANUFACTURE…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10113159

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2005
Structure

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 C…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10105704

240,000 miles · Sep 24, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

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

NHTSA ODI #10094301

72,323 miles · Sep 21, 2004
Seat Belts

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

NHTSA ODI #10092983

Official recalls

6

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.

90V159000 · Wheels:hubcap/cover

Aug 28, 1990

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

89V171000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Oct 13, 1989

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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

15

DP96014 · Defective Air Bag Crash Sensor

Opened Nov 14, 1996 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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.

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

EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

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

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

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

===

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

===

PE90113 · Safety Belt Buckle Locking

Opened Aug 20, 1990 · Closed Dec 18, 1990

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

There is no summary currently available

PE90104 · Wheel Separation

Opened Aug 2, 1990 · Closed Aug 30, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels:hubcap/cover

There is no summary currently available