IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE SEATBELT, THE ENTIRE SEATBELT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE ANCHORAGE CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
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 →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 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
Seat Belts complaints
142 reportsTHE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK TO THE LOCKING POSITION. TH DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *NM
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT ANCHORING CABLE BROKE FROM ITS ANCHOR. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE CABLE BROKE DUE TO EXTENSIVE WEAR AND TEAR. MANUFACTURER WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. DEALER NOTIFIED
I BOUGHT MY 1989 FORD TAURUS IN JUNE OF 2001. IN THE PAPERWORK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNERS WAS INFO. ON A RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY DATED 4/98 REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH SEATBELT BUCKLES. I RECENTLY HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH MY SEATBELT BUCKLES AND TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS CONSEQUENTLY TOLD IT WAS WAY PASSED THE WARRANTY DATE…
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I BOUGHT MY 1989 FORD TAURUS IN JUNE OF 2001. IN THE PAPERWORK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNERS WAS INFO. ON A RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY DATED 4/98 REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH SEATBELT BUCKLES. I RECENTLY HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH MY SEATBELT BUCKLES AND TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS CONSEQUENTLY TOLD IT WAS WAY PASSED THE WARRANTY DATE EVEN BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SO MY COMPLAINT IS HOW DO I GET THEM FIXED SINCE THIS CAN BECOME A SERIOUS MATTER IF I OR ANYONE ELSE GETS STUCK IN THE CAR, OR HAS FURTHER DIFFICULTIES EVEN FASTENING THE SEATBELT. I ALSO WAS NOTIFIED OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACING THE IGNITION MODULE TO SUBMIT YOUR RECEIPTS BY 10/02. I HOWEVER DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE IT UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND SUBMITTED THOSE RECEIPTS ANYWAY WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE WHAT SO EVER. I'VE ALSO NOT LONG AGO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR MOUNTINGS FOR MY REAR SHOCKS AND SPRINGS AND THE FRONT NEED TO BE DONE AS WELL. DOES THIS QUALIFY IN THE RECALL OF THE SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER ID #94E36000? *AK I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO HOW A PERSON KNOWS TO LOOK FOR THESE RECALLS WHEN BUYING A VEHICLE. SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFY US?
SEATBELT BUCKLE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEATBELT WON'T STAY FASTENED, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T RETRACT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.AK
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
DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IS OFF TRACK, WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP. ALSO, REAR SEATBELT RETRACTOR BROKE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS.*AK
RECALL 97 I 003 000/SEAT BELT BUCKLES: DEALER, R.E. BARBER FORD, HOLLAND, MI; PHONE # 616/396-2361 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS SOLD IN 1988, IN SAFETY INPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WHICH PROVIDED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, 12 YEAR AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES ASSEMBLY FROM DATE IT WAS ISSUED, NOT ACCORDI…
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RECALL 97 I 003 000/SEAT BELT BUCKLES: DEALER, R.E. BARBER FORD, HOLLAND, MI; PHONE # 616/396-2361 REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS SOLD IN 1988, IN SAFETY INPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WHICH PROVIDED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, 12 YEAR AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES ASSEMBLY FROM DATE IT WAS ISSUED, NOT ACCORDING AGE OF THE VEHICLE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK THE CONSUMER SAYS THE TWO PROBLEMS CONFRONTING HIM WERE GETTING THE SEST BELTS TO LATCH AND KEEPING IT LATCHED. *YH
Official recalls
598V323000 · 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
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
===
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