1991 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 649 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (35% of complaints); the 1990 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 649 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“A power steering fluid leak near the rack resulted in a fire, which destroyed the vehicle, after about 30 minutes of highway driving. *tr”Owner report · Steering · May 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford taurus. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed that the bumper was partially out of the garage. He drove approximately 1 mph, to clear the garage door did not touch accelerator pedal, and the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a wall. The vehicle has not been repaired; however, there was $5,000 in damages to vehicle. There were no injuries. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 25,480.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2010
“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 and failure mileages were approximately 69,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“The blower motor in my 1991 ford taurus is starting to go out. This problem has been happening for the last week and a half. I will turn the heat on high in the mornings to warm up the car an within a 10-15 minute time frame - the motor will either stop blowing completely or barely blow. I understand there is an existing recall under 03v087000 and complaint number 10184014. As I understand this is a common problem for ford vehicles and needs to be addressed immediately. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Nov 2007
“I was advised by a mechanic recently that my vehicle was unsafe. He showed me the rear subframe bolt that was deteriorated to about half of its original size and that the subframe was rusted heavily and cracked completely through. This was after the recall was done on my vehicle in 1999 for NHTSA article no. 98v323000. So the work that was done to keep the subframe from falling is not holding up and it appears that it could break soon. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2005
“When accelerating from a complete stop a jerking motion was produced. As a result, steering became difficult. Dealer stated motor mounts failed. A recall 98v323000 was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2004
“My ford taurus 1991 station wagon lunged forward uncontrollably after backing up, braking, then starting to go forward. It went against a wall, the brake didn't work, the front of the car was crashed, I had to put it into park to stop it. Please let me know if any other car same make and model has had the same problem. My mechanic tested it and it did this another 3 times.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2003
“Consumer stated that while driving home, he turned a corner and heard a snap. Then, hood started to move up and down violently. Consumer managed to bring vehicle home and parked it. This happened today, and has not yet had time to get a mechanic to take a look at it.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2003
“While driving a loud noise was heard and the steering wheel locked. Vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated the cradle mounting washer and bolts rusted. Dealer installed sub frames rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates and replaced nuts. *ak *cb *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2003
“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”Owner report · Power Train · May 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 43 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
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.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Taurus by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA has 649 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is power train (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,929 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:shock absorber. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.