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1989 Ford TaurusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 562 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford Taurus, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Taurus median · #14 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints562114 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage200kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 15, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford Taurus has problems

562 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts1423
Electrical system11842
Engine and engine cooling9724
Structure663
Steering5312
Power train523
Service brakes, hydraulic343
Fuel system, gasoline268
Vehicle speed control236
11 other systems849

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1989 Ford Taurus recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure: frame and members

Recall 98V-323 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles

Risk. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 92V-113 · Aug 17, 1992 · 565,000 vehicles

Risk. AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels

Recall 92V-065 · May 11, 1992 · 654,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 91V-134 · Aug 6, 1991 · 325,000 vehicles

Risk. SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Seats

Recall 91V-036 · Mar 4, 1991 · 278,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Taurus year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Taurus median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
17 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford Taurus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  3. BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONSEA90045 · closed Sep 12, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-134
  4. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA91011 · closed Aug 13, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-113
  5. STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATIONEA91042 · closed May 21, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-065
  6. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILEA92040 · closed Jun 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-106
  7. THROTTLE STICKINGPE90066 · closed Aug 31, 1990
    No recall
  8. BRAKE DISC HUB FAILUREPE90071 · closed Jun 28, 1990
    No recall
  9. STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATIONPE91108 · closed Oct 28, 1991
    No recall
  10. FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCHPE91128 · closed Jan 27, 1992
    No recall
  11. ENGINE MOUNT FAILUREPE92014 · closed Jun 25, 1992
    No recall
  12. POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRESPE92044 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
  13. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILPE92056 · closed Nov 30, 1992
    No recall
  14. BROKEN TIE RODSPE93058 · closed Feb 16, 1994
    No recall
  15. UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILSPE93065 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    No recall
  16. STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENTPE93099 · closed Mar 28, 1994
    No recall
  17. POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKSPE93100 · closed Jun 30, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Taurus owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* 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.
Complaint 10350035 · Aug 17, 2010 · 215,000 miles
THE 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
Complaint 10059331 · Feb 19, 2004 · 62,000 miles
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
Complaint 10042819 · Oct 14, 2003 · 200,000 miles

Own a 1989 Taurus?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.