IllustrationHEATER CORE LEAKS. THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 5 YEARS OF TIME. IT IS A CHEAPLY MADE PART AND PROBABLY THE MOST PROFITABLE FORD MAKES. LABOR IS 10 HOURS TO REPLACE THE PART. APPLIES TO ALL TAURUS'. *NLM
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 →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: 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
Visibility complaints
24 reportsPROBLEM OF GLARE FROM ONCOMING CARS AT NIGHT. PROBLEM MAINLY WITH SUVS AND PICKUPS AND OTHER HIGH FIXED LIGHTS. *AK
THIS CAR HAS HAD A LOT OF WORK DONE TO IT.IT NEVER WORKS RIGHT. IT HAS HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS,THERE HAS BEEN OVER 5000.00 PUT TOWARDS IT TO FIX &IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING.I HAVE TAKEN IT TO OVER 5 MECHANICS IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS ALSO THE HEATER HAS NEVER WORKED THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX. I THI…
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THIS CAR HAS HAD A LOT OF WORK DONE TO IT.IT NEVER WORKS RIGHT. IT HAS HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS,THERE HAS BEEN OVER 5000.00 PUT TOWARDS IT TO FIX &IT IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING.I HAVE TAKEN IT TO OVER 5 MECHANICS IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS ALSO THE HEATER HAS NEVER WORKED THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX. I THINK THIS CAR IS A LEMON!!!!!!!!!I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD AGAIN. THE MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED AS A DOWN PAYMENT ON ANOTHER ONE.DEFINATELY A LEMON. *AK
TRANSMISSION CAN'T TAKE HILLS, TRANSMISSION HAS TO BARE DOWN GOING UP HILL, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS AROUND MAIN SEAL. THIS WILL BLEED TRANSMISSION DRY. CONSUMER HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION COMPANY, AND HAD IT REBUILT AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THEN 6 MONTHS LATER, TRANMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING OUT AGAIN.*AK CONSUMER STATES TH…
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TRANSMISSION CAN'T TAKE HILLS, TRANSMISSION HAS TO BARE DOWN GOING UP HILL, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS AROUND MAIN SEAL. THIS WILL BLEED TRANSMISSION DRY. CONSUMER HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION COMPANY, AND HAD IT REBUILT AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THEN 6 MONTHS LATER, TRANMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING OUT AGAIN.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A LOSS OF HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER. WINDHSHIELD WIPERS WORK POORLY. DRIVER SEATBELT IS DEFECTIVE. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *SLC
WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEMSELVES OFF IN THE UP POSITION. HAVE TO PUSH ON WIPERS WHILE TURNING THE WIPERS ON AND OFF TO GET THEM TO LIE DOWN IN THE PROPER POSITION.
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE JAN 1994; IT HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH NO RESOLUTION. FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE BUTTON REMAINS DEPRESSED AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE TOP POSITION MAKING IT UNUSEABLE AS A RESTRAINT. TAILGATE LATCH HAS BROKEN OFF DEEP I…
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I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE JAN 1994; IT HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH NO RESOLUTION. FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE BUTTON REMAINS DEPRESSED AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE TOP POSITION MAKING IT UNUSEABLE AS A RESTRAINT. TAILGATE LATCH HAS BROKEN OFF DEEP INSIDE THE DOOR AND WILL NO LONGER LATCH. CATALYTIC CONVERTER "RAM'S HORN" BURNED OUT IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR; STARTED ENGINE AND BARELY AVOIDED SERIOUS ENGINE FIRE AS RESULT OF CONVERTER FAILURE. CAR SURGES WHEN IDLING, CAUSING IT TO LUNGE BACK AND FORTH SO HARD IT IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED; WINSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN USING INTERMITTENT WIPE; A YEAR AGO WIPER MOTOR BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED. HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION WORKED ON THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS. LED INDICATOR ON STEREO BURNED OUT 1 YEAR AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED. ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED-ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CONTINUOUS DESPITE $3,000.00 + IN ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THEM. ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, AS WELL AS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TRANSAXLES ON FRONT OF VEHICLE IN AUGUST 1999. FREEZE PLUGS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR CURRENTLY "STORED" IN MY DRIVEWAY, AS I CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE $ INTO USELESS REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT RETURN TO RESTING POSITION. WOULD STOP IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. HAVE NOT TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WOULD HAVE TO FORCE TO RESTING POSITION & THEN TURN VEHICLE OFF. HAS BEEN TO DEALER EACH TIME FOR PROBLEM. INFORMED BY MECHANIC WIPERS NOT WORTH EXPENSE OF REPAIRING. *AK
WE READ IN THE PAPER THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHSTA. THE WIPERS MOTOR IN THIS VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE INTERMITENT WIPER DOES NOT WORK.
WHEN YOU TURN THE WIPERS OFF, WITH THE IGNITION ON OR OFF, THEY STICK STRAIGHT UP INSTEAD OF DOWN UNDER HOOD. SEVERAL DEALERS TOLD ME THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. I BEG TO DIFFER IT BLOCKS VISION AND IS NO DOUBT A HAZZARD. SEVERAL TECHS DENIED EVER HEARING OF PROBLEM, SOME ADMITTED IT WAS A DESIGN …
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WHEN YOU TURN THE WIPERS OFF, WITH THE IGNITION ON OR OFF, THEY STICK STRAIGHT UP INSTEAD OF DOWN UNDER HOOD. SEVERAL DEALERS TOLD ME THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. I BEG TO DIFFER IT BLOCKS VISION AND IS NO DOUBT A HAZZARD. SEVERAL TECHS DENIED EVER HEARING OF PROBLEM, SOME ADMITTED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE SEEN FOUR OTHER CARS WITH WIPERS UP, THREE HAVE BEEN TAURUSES, SO I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM.I HAVE READ SEVERAL NEWS PAPER ARTICLES ON FORD AND GM WIPER PROBLEMS SO I FEEL A RECALL IS WARRANTED AND I SHOULD GET MY $168 BACK. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAS NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS YET?
SINCE MID 1997, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL REGULARLY. THEY USUALLY WORK, BUT OCCATIONALLY, THEY WILL STOP, OR SLOW DOWN TO AN UNUSABLE SPEED. SOMETIMES THIS CAN BE FIXED BY TURNING THEM OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED FORD OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT PAY TO FIX THE P…
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SINCE MID 1997, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL REGULARLY. THEY USUALLY WORK, BUT OCCATIONALLY, THEY WILL STOP, OR SLOW DOWN TO AN UNUSABLE SPEED. SOMETIMES THIS CAN BE FIXED BY TURNING THEM OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. SOMETIMES THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED FORD OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIVE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN STOP UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING IN STORMY WEATHER. THIS CAUSES SUDDEN LOSS OF VISIBILITY.
Official recalls
698V323000 · 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
15DP96014 · 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