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1990 Ford TaurusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 381 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford Taurus, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Taurus median · #17 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints38172 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem78Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 14, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Ford Taurus has problems

381 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
Engine and engine cooling787
Structure681
Steering517
Power train421
Air bags4120
Electrical system418
Vehicle speed control306
Visibility240
Seat belts242
12 other systems938

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

6 recalls

1990 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 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Wheels: hubcap/cover

Recall 90V-159 · Aug 28, 1990 · 1,212 vehicles

Risk. UNDER SEVERE DUTY, THIS COULD RESULT IN EVENTUALSEPARATION OF WHEEL RIM FROM CENTER WITH LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLY ACOLLISION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 89V-171 · Oct 13, 1989 · 2,900 vehicles

Risk. HEADLAMPS COULD TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ORREMAIN ON AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED.

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

1990 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
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Ford Taurus safety ratings

1990 Ford Taurus 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
15 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Ford Taurus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  2. DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORDP96014 · still open
    Open
  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. BROKEN TIE RODSEA94008 · closed Feb 27, 1995
    No recall
  8. WHEEL SEPARATIONPE90104 · closed Aug 30, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-159
  9. SAFETY BELT BUCKLE LOCKINGPE90113 · closed Dec 18, 1990
    No recall
  10. STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATIONPE91108 · closed Oct 28, 1991
    No recall
  11. ENGINE MOUNT FAILUREPE92014 · closed Jun 25, 1992
    No recall
  12. POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRESPE92044 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
  13. BROKEN TIE RODSPE93058 · closed Feb 16, 1994
    No recall
  14. UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILSPE93065 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    No recall
  15. POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKSPE93100 · closed Jun 30, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Taurus owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPONENTS FELL ONTO THE STEERING MECHANISM, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK
Complaint 10044978 · Oct 29, 2003
THE BOLT ON THE SUBFRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS LOOSE. FIXED UNDER RECALL #92S61 ON MAR 13, 1995. STILL A PROBLEM. *AK DEALER REPAIRED RECALL PARS, ALSO STRUTS WRE REPLACED ON THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, ROTORS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS SEAT BELT BUCKLE, AS WELL AS AIR BAG WA REPLACED.*JB
Complaint 979837 · Feb 28, 1996
MAIN MOTOR MOUNT BROKE; DOES NOT SUPPORT MOTOR, SUPPORTED BY OTHER TWO MOUNTS; COULD CAUSE MOTOR TO DROP OUT WHILE DRIVING; MADE SQUEAKING, GRINDING NOISE. TT
Complaint 964904 · May 5, 1995

Own a 1990 Taurus?

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