IllustrationTHIS CAR DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE UPON SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR AT 112000 MILES. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO GET THE TRANSMISSION FIXED, IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET. THIS CAR IS A LEMON & FORD SHOULD TOTALLY RECALL IT. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER FORD TAURUS VICTIMS OUT THERE. YOU SHOULD LOOK UP THE FORDTAURUSVICTIMS.COM PAGE. *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
Power Train complaints
260 reportsI AM REPORTING MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE, THAT HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE 1991 TRANSMISSIONS IN FORD'S WERE"KNOWN TO BE BAD" . I AM A SINGLE INCOME PERSON WITH 3 KIDS. I PAID SOMEONE $1200 TO FIX MY TRANSSMISSION. I DROVE IT LESS THAN 1 WEEEK AND IT WENT AGAIN. I CALLED THE PERSON …
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I AM REPORTING MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE, THAT HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE 1991 TRANSMISSIONS IN FORD'S WERE"KNOWN TO BE BAD" . I AM A SINGLE INCOME PERSON WITH 3 KIDS. I PAID SOMEONE $1200 TO FIX MY TRANSSMISSION. I DROVE IT LESS THAN 1 WEEEK AND IT WENT AGAIN. I CALLED THE PERSON AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND NOW HE HAS HAD THE CAR FOR OVER 1 YEAR BECAUSE HE CANNOT FIX IT AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY AGAIN TO GET IT FIXED. I KNOW THAT IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM. BUT!! I FEEL THAT BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED AND TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE (DEALERS, TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS AND OTHER OWNERS OF 1991 FORD TAURUS') AND THEY ALL HAVE SAID THE SAME THING. THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE BAD AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, AND THAT ALOT OF TIMES EVEN WHEN FIXED (LIKE IN MY CASE, I BELIEVE) THEY CANNOT BE FIXED PROPERLY. SO, AS OF RIGHT NOW I AM OUT A CAR THAT I PAID $7,100 FOR AND THE $1200 DOLLARS FOR A TRANSMISSION. THE PERSON I HAD FIX MY TRANSSMISSION IS A CERTIFIED TRANSSMISSION SPECIALIST BUT I KNOW HE DID HIS JOB IN TRYING TO FIX IT. NOW HE DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TRY TO FIX IT AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE!! I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBITY FOR THE 1991 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
MY DAUTHER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 M.P.H. AND THE TRANSMATION WENT OUT. IT GAVE NO SINE OF IT GOING OUT. SHE WAS BARALY ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER CARS *AK
CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED MAY OF 1999, AND ON 9TH OF AUGUST VEHICLE STARTED TO MISS. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, TRANSMISSION WAS TOTALLY GONE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WENT TO PULL UP TO A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP IT POPS OUT OF GEAR TO NEUTRAL. HAVE TO REVERSE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO PUT IT BACK IN GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT THE PISTON IS BAD IN THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER WARRAN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WENT TO PULL UP TO A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP IT POPS OUT OF GEAR TO NEUTRAL. HAVE TO REVERSE THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO PUT IT BACK IN GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT THE PISTON IS BAD IN THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
VEHICLE REQUIRES NEW CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ON THE TRANSMISSION. *MJS
TRANSMISSION AT A STOP RUMBLES CAR TREMENDOUSLY AND CAUSES ENGINE TO RACE THEN AS GAS IS APPLIED , CAR SLIPS THEN TAKES OFF, THEN COMES OUT OF GEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM .PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS CARS TRAMISSION.ON THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR, THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY PEOPLE EXP…
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TRANSMISSION AT A STOP RUMBLES CAR TREMENDOUSLY AND CAUSES ENGINE TO RACE THEN AS GAS IS APPLIED , CAR SLIPS THEN TAKES OFF, THEN COMES OUT OF GEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM .PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS CARS TRAMISSION.ON THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR, THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.
TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND SLIDING WHEN DRIVING. *AK
I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T HOLD SECOND GEAR--IT WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY OTHER GEAR EITHER. IF I TAKE OFF IN MANUAL LOW--ACCELERATE AND DROP IT INTO DRIVE IT WILL GO USUALLY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 1996 AND THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN 1998. I HAVEN'T BEEN FINANCIALLY ABLE TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. I LE…
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I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T HOLD SECOND GEAR--IT WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY OTHER GEAR EITHER. IF I TAKE OFF IN MANUAL LOW--ACCELERATE AND DROP IT INTO DRIVE IT WILL GO USUALLY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 1996 AND THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN 1998. I HAVEN'T BEEN FINANCIALLY ABLE TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. I LEARNED OF A RECALL THEY HAD ON THIS TRANSMISSION--CAN I GET IT FIXED? IT IS DEFINITELY DANGEROUS. *AK
TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER WERE CHANGED AT 25000 AND 45000 MILES. *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