IllustrationBELTS ON TIRE BCAME SEPARATED, CAUSING TIRE TO COME APART. *AK
1991 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1991 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 16 of 649 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.
- Power Train. Review the 260 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 116 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports21 fire reports18 injury reports
Tires complaints
16 reportsTHE TIRE HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE EDGE WHERE THE FLAT MEETS THE SIDE. NOW THE TIRE WON'T HOLD AIR. THE GROOVES OF THE TREAD ARE STILL 3/16 OF AN INCH DEEP SO THERE ISN'T THAT MUCH WEAR TO THE TIRE. WE DIDN'T TAKE IT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS PARTICULAR TIRE ISN'T ON THE RECALL LIST THAT WE KNOW…
Read full complaint
THE TIRE HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE EDGE WHERE THE FLAT MEETS THE SIDE. NOW THE TIRE WON'T HOLD AIR. THE GROOVES OF THE TREAD ARE STILL 3/16 OF AN INCH DEEP SO THERE ISN'T THAT MUCH WEAR TO THE TIRE. WE DIDN'T TAKE IT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS PARTICULAR TIRE ISN'T ON THE RECALL LIST THAT WE KNOW OF. YOU CAN SEE THE STEEL BELT. WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN THIS SITUATION? THIS DEFINATELY LOOKS LIKE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.*AK
PURCHASED 4 NEW COOPER TRENDSETTERS SE ON MARCH 30, 2000 (MILEAGE AT 99,350). FIRST TIRE PROBLEM IN AUGUST 2001(MILEAGE AROUND 119,000) WHILE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY CAR'S FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING. SLOWED DOWN AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER, WHILE DOING SO THE ENTIRE TREAD OF TIRE (FRONT DRIVER SIDE) FLEW OFF HITTING DRIVER'S DOOR L…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED 4 NEW COOPER TRENDSETTERS SE ON MARCH 30, 2000 (MILEAGE AT 99,350). FIRST TIRE PROBLEM IN AUGUST 2001(MILEAGE AROUND 119,000) WHILE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY CAR'S FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING. SLOWED DOWN AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER, WHILE DOING SO THE ENTIRE TREAD OF TIRE (FRONT DRIVER SIDE) FLEW OFF HITTING DRIVER'S DOOR LEAVING DENTS AND DENTING THE TIRE WELL. TIRE WAS NOT REQUESTED FOR REPLACEMENT AS THE CAR WAS NOT TAKEN TO A COOPER DEALER AND WAS NOT SAVED.(REPLACED WITH A GOODYEAR) SECOND TIRE TREAD BEGAN TO WEAR OFF ON NOVEMBER 20, 2001 ALSO ON FREEWAY. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE TO GAS STATION. TREAD WAS ABOUT TO COME COMPLETELY OFF. MECHANIC CALLED COOPER FOR REPLACEMENT DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THEY REFUSED BECAUSE THE TIRE HAD BEEN PLUGGED (NAIL HAD BEEN IN IT; PLUGGED BY A COOPER DEALER) THEY INSIST THAT IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE MECHANIC DISAGREES AND SAYS THAT I AM LUCKY I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. IN THAT CASE I GUESS I GOT LUCKY TWICE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: U9URC2H469 TIRESIZE: P205/65R15)
THE TIRE WAS WARPED WITH PARTS OF THE STEEL BELT COMING OUT OF IT. THE TIRE WAS ALSO DRY AND CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE TIRE WAS ONLY DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 18,800 MILES. THIS TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT AT ANY TIME IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE WABBLING OF THE CAR TO LET ME KNOW TO HAVE IT CHECKED. NO TIRE SHOULD BE IN THIS CO…
Read full complaint
THE TIRE WAS WARPED WITH PARTS OF THE STEEL BELT COMING OUT OF IT. THE TIRE WAS ALSO DRY AND CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE TIRE WAS ONLY DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 18,800 MILES. THIS TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT AT ANY TIME IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE WABBLING OF THE CAR TO LET ME KNOW TO HAVE IT CHECKED. NO TIRE SHOULD BE IN THIS CONDITION AFTER ONLY 18,800 MILES OF WEAR.*AK (TIRESIZE: 205/70R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/70R14 )
THE TIRES (NO MAKE OR SIZE) EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. *SLC
2 TIRES WITH PARTIAL TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 9 MONTHS. THIRD TIRE SUFFERED COMPLETE, VIOLENT TREAD SEPARATION AT FREEWAY SPEED. DAMAGED WHEEL WELL AND BUMPER. TRIPPED FUEL EMERGENCY CUTOFF DUE TO VIOLENT SEPARATION. CONTROL OF VEHICLE NOT LOST, BUT SURE SCARED THE KIDS. 3 OF 4 COOPER TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATI…
Read full complaint
2 TIRES WITH PARTIAL TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 9 MONTHS. THIRD TIRE SUFFERED COMPLETE, VIOLENT TREAD SEPARATION AT FREEWAY SPEED. DAMAGED WHEEL WELL AND BUMPER. TRIPPED FUEL EMERGENCY CUTOFF DUE TO VIOLENT SEPARATION. CONTROL OF VEHICLE NOT LOST, BUT SURE SCARED THE KIDS. 3 OF 4 COOPER TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *AK (DOT NUMBER: U9URC17057 TIRESIZE: 205/65R15)
WHILE DRIVING, COOPER GUARDMENS #SCR TIRE P205/70R14 LPLIT ALL THE DOWN ON THE SIDEWALL ON, TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM SEARS, DOT PLT9FEKR136. *SLC
OUR FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS THE CURRENTLY RECALLED TIRES. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE 210 FWY IN PASADENA AFTER AN HOUR-LONG DRIVE ON A HOT DAY IN SEPT. OUR TIRE "EXPLODED" IN AN UNUSUAL WAY: THE TREAD SIMPLY CAME DETACHED FROM THE TIRE. IT WAS NOT A "BLOW-OUT" IN THE USUAL SENSE--THE TIRE BE…
Read full complaint
OUR FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS THE CURRENTLY RECALLED TIRES. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE 210 FWY IN PASADENA AFTER AN HOUR-LONG DRIVE ON A HOT DAY IN SEPT. OUR TIRE "EXPLODED" IN AN UNUSUAL WAY: THE TREAD SIMPLY CAME DETACHED FROM THE TIRE. IT WAS NOT A "BLOW-OUT" IN THE USUAL SENSE--THE TIRE BENEATH THE TREAD WAS UNDAMAGED. THE TIRE WAS RELATIVELY NEW WITH MUCH TREAD-DEPTH LEFT ON IT. WHEN THE TREAD DETACHED, IT STRUCK THE REAR END OF THE CAR AND ACTIVATED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. THANKFULLY, WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE FWY, BUT WERE IN EXTREME DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED, POSSIBLY LEADING TO INJURIES OR DEATH. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OUR FIRESTONE TIRES. ALL FOUR OF THE ORIGINAL FIRSTONE TIRES WE HAD PURCHASED IN 1993 HAD LOST TREAD IN THE SAME WAY, AND HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE FIRESTONE DEALER AT A REDUCED COST (THE REAR 2 TIRES IN 1995 AND THE FRONT 2 IN 1997, ALL OF THEM FR680 205/65R15). THE DEALER ASSURED US THAT THE REPLACMENT TIRES WOULD PERFORM WELL. BUT ALL FAILED IN THE SAME WAY--THE TREAD CAME DETACHED, SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY. MY TRUST IN FIRESTONE LEAD ME TO REPLACE ALL THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES WITH IDENTICAL MODELS, BELIEVING THAT THE FIRST 4 MUST HAVE BEEN "FLUKES" AND THAT THE OTHERS WOULD BE FINE. BUT THEY WERE NOT; THE 5TH REPLACEMENT WAS THE LAST STRAW, WE SOLD THE CAR IN DECEMBER 1997 AND NEVER AGAIN PURCHASED FIRESTONES. PLEASE PLACE THESE TIRES UNDER SCRUTINY AS WELL, THERE MAY BE SEVERAL PEOPLE IN 4-DOOR SEDANS DRIVING WITH THESE UNSAFE TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: FR680 TIRE SIZE: 205/65R15 )
TIRES FAILED. NLM
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT. THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND STOPPED. IN COLD WEATHER THE RIMS ARE NOT SAFE AND THE AIR LEAKS OUT OF THE TIRES. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
Official recalls
498V323000 · 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.
97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 26, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
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
14SQ98008 · Audio System Fires
Opened May 4, 1998 · Closed May 8, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
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.
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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 · 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
PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs
Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993
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
EA91042 · Storage Compar Suffocation
Opened Oct 28, 1991 · Closed May 21, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
===
DP91013 · ANTI-LOCK Brakes
Opened Sep 24, 1991 · Closed Jan 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
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