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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

Wheels complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2004
WheelsCrashInjury

CAR TRAVELING 50 MPH DOWN A DRY DIRT ROAD, WITH NO REASON CAR ENDED UP SPINNING 5 TIMES AND BEING STOPPED BY A TREE. A LOUD THUMP WAS HEARD JUST PRIOR TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. INVESTIGATION DONE. ENGINE HAD DROPPED, COULD HAVE BEEN AT TIME OF IMPACT. I WONDER IF THIS AUTO EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T INCLUDED IN AN EARLIER RE…

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CAR TRAVELING 50 MPH DOWN A DRY DIRT ROAD, WITH NO REASON CAR ENDED UP SPINNING 5 TIMES AND BEING STOPPED BY A TREE. A LOUD THUMP WAS HEARD JUST PRIOR TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. INVESTIGATION DONE. ENGINE HAD DROPPED, COULD HAVE BEEN AT TIME OF IMPACT. I WONDER IF THIS AUTO EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T INCLUDED IN AN EARLIER RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN ATLANTA SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. RECALL SAID SNOW SALTS CAUSED DETERIOTION OF SUBMOUNT BOLTS, FLORIDA SEACOAST WEATHER RUSTS BOLTS TOO.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088712

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 1997
Wheels

VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO METAL WHEEL RIM FAILURES IN FOUR YEARS. THE METAL RIM SEPARATED BETWEEN WHERE THE RIM BOLTS TO THE AXLE AND THE TIRE MEETS THE RIM.

NHTSA ODI #513465

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 1997
Wheels

HAS HAD ONE RIM REPLACED AFTER RIM BROKE WHILE DRIVING, WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS A DEFECT, NOW ALL THE RIMS ARE CRACKED, MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #806997

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1996
SteeringWheels

RIMS ON THE VEHICLE CRACKING ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE WHEEL FALLING OFF.

NHTSA ODI #507013

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1996
SteeringWheels

WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, LEFT FRONT WHEEL RIM TOTALLY SHATTERED; CAUSED VIBRATION, DIFFICULT STEERING; COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT; ORIGINAL WHEELS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #984444

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 1996
Wheels

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAS CRACKED AROUND THE CENTER HUB, DRIVER DISCOVERED PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE WAS A NOISE/VIBRATIONS IN THE FRONT END. *AK

NHTSA ODI #982498

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 1996
Wheels

LEFT FRONT ALUMINUM POLYLITE RIM JUST DISINTEGRATED CRACKING ALL AROUND READY TO SEPARATE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI #978191

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1995
Wheels

LEFT FRONT OUTER RIM BROKE WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, WHEEL MODEL #1681. TT *SLC

NHTSA ODI #975001

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 1995
Wheels

THE 10 HOLE POLYCAST RIM CRACKED THIS IS THE SECOND ONE . TT CONSUMER STATES AFTER FINDING 3 OUT OF 4 RIMS CRACKED CONSUMER CALLED DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT WARRANTY IS UP, FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE RIMS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #973346

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1995
Wheels

4 POLYCAST WHEELS BROKE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #480815

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