1986 Ford TAURUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
46 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 46 complaints (10.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Seats: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 46 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 20; 1996: 15; 2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10026557 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH FRONT LEFT MECHANISM WHICH HOLDS BRAKE SYSTEM FELL INSIDE THE WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486944 · 1995-06-07 (June 7, 1995)
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (91V-134). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502317 · 1996-01-27 (January 27, 1996)
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566962 · 2002-07-30 (July 30, 2002)
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. NAR 07/02/2003. *MR THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY INTENTIONALLY SOLD DEFECTIVE VEHICLES TO CUSTOMERS. THE DEFECT IS THE TRANSMISSION, ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN #94-24-7 THEY KNEW THAT DEFECTS EXISTED IN THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES 1986-95 FORD TAURUS, 1993-95 TAURUS SHO, 1986-95 MERCURY SABLE, 1988-94 CONTINENTAL AND 1995 WINDSTAR LIGHT TRUCK. THE CONSUMER HAS WRITTEN TO FORD EXPLAINING WHAT WAS FOUND AND TO DATE NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE STATEMENTS CONTAINED. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 872879 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITHIN 20 MINUTES OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIRS SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 872879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 873182 · 2000-10-17 (October 17, 2000)
VEHICLE WILL STALL SUDDENLY. VEHICLE WILL NOT GO OVER 35 MPH AND AT THE SAME TIME THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WILL GO HIGH, AND BRAKES DO NOT HAVE FULL POWER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 873182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802703 · 1996-09-20 (September 20, 1996)
STOPPED AT LIGHT, THE REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY BUSHINGS CORRODED, CAUSING TRANSAXLE AND ENGINE TO DROP DOWN ON ENGINE. RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.*AK THERE WAS A RECALL, 93V106002, HOWEVER ONLY COVERED 1989-1993 YEAR TAURUSES. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 975675 · 1995-11-29 (November 29, 1995)
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN CONSUMER HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD, HIT THE DASH AND HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 975675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8023039 · 2002-11-20 (November 20, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BE DRAINED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY BACKFIRED ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8023039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970891 · 1995-08-22 (August 22, 1995)
EEC SWITCH THAT CONTROLS FUEL PUMP/FAN CUTS OFF WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOUT 80 DEGREES OR HOTTER; OPEN HOOD, LET SWITCH COOL OFF, WILL OPERATE FOR A FEW BLOCKS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970891 at NHTSA ↗