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1991 Ford TaurusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 649 owner complaints about the 1991 Ford Taurus, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

39
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Taurus median · #13 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints64982 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage92kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 28, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Ford Taurus has problems

649 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
Power train2605
Engine and engine cooling1166
Steering768
Service brakes, hydraulic714
Structure622
Air bags5521
Electrical system4411
Suspension270
Vehicle speed control267
15 other systems1037

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

4 recalls

1991 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

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V-025 · Feb 26, 1997 · 212,700 vehicles

Risk. 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.

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 →

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

1991 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

1991 Ford Taurus safety ratings

1991 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
14 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 Ford Taurus, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ANTI-LOCK BRAKESDP91013 · closed Jan 30, 1992
    No recall
  2. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  3. DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSORDP96014 · still open
    Open
  4. STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATIONEA91042 · closed May 21, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-065
  5. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILEA92040 · closed Jun 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-106
  6. BROKEN TIE RODSEA94008 · closed Feb 27, 1995
    No recall
  7. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA96024 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-019
  8. STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATIONPE91108 · closed Oct 28, 1991
    No recall
  9. BROKEN TIE RODSPE93058 · closed Feb 16, 1994
    No recall
  10. UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILSPE93065 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    No recall
  11. FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDSPE93070 · closed Nov 22, 1993
    No recall
  12. POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKSPE93100 · closed Jun 30, 1994
    No recall
  13. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESPE96033 · closed Sep 30, 1996
    Led to recall 97V-019
  14. AUDIO SYSTEM FIRESSQ98008 · closed May 8, 1998
    No recall
In owners' words

What Taurus owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING FORWARD AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT…
Complaint 10360253 · Oct 13, 2010 · 69,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR, BATTERY, MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 10321807 · Mar 24, 2010
WHILE DRIVING GEARS JUMP. THERE IS RECALL 96V166000. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD OF OTHER FORD VEHICLES WITH DESIGN DEFECTS. *TC
Complaint 10103762 · Jan 14, 2005

Own a 1991 Taurus?

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