1991 Ford TAURUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
326 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
96,929 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 102 of 326 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 88 | 27.0% |
| Braking behavior | 36 | 11.0% |
| Steering behavior | 32 | 9.8% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 4.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 102 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 37 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 24 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 13 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 12 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 102; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 37; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 24; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 13; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Structure:Frame And Members: 12; Air Bags: 10
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 310 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 | 124 |
| 1996 | 72 |
| 2000 | 45 |
| 2001 | 36 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 124; 1996: 72; 2000: 45; 2001: 36; 2002: 21; 2003: 9; 2004: 10; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2010: 5; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 88 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 32 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 10014047 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT EVEN AFTER DRIVING MY CAR WITH THE UP MOST CARE...AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS COMPLAINED OF THIS...THE TAURUS IS INFAMOUS FOR THERE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020249 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AND THEN SHUT OFF. *JB THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071118 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I CAN'T POSSIBLY REMEMBER THE DATES THESE THINGS HAPPENED. I PUT A NEW (USED) TRANSMISSION AND THIS ONE IS SLIPPING. I PUT MORE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS THAN YOU WOULD USE IN A LIFE TIME. THE SPRINGS ARE WEAK IN THE BACK, BUT TO EXSPENSIVE TO CHANGE. I PUT A NEW FUEL PUMP AND GAS TANK. I'VE PUT A NEW EGR VALVE, OXYGEN SENSOR, THROTTLE SENSOR, AIR TEMP SENSOR. I PUT A BLINKER SWITCH AND NEW STRUTS BECAUSE MINE BROKE. 3 OUT OF 4 OF MY DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE OF THE HANDLES. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE THINGS I WROTE DOWN OR CAN REMEMB…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086334 · 2004-08-06 (August 6, 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-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022774 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 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-reported narrative. 93,858 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075960 · 2004-06-09 (June 9, 2004)
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-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480140 · 1995-02-10 (February 10, 1995)
ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501150 · 1995-10-12 (October 12, 1995)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10321807 · 2010-03-24 (March 24, 2010)
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 REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS) AND 91V134000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: DISC: ROTOR) YET DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS A SECOND TIME AND THE MA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10321807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508145 · 1996-08-30 (August 30, 1996)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN THE UP POSITION, DUE TO FAULTY MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729592 · 2000-08-30 (August 30, 2000)
OUR FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS THE CURRENTLY RECALLED TIRES. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE 210 FWY IN PASADENA AFTER AN HOUR-LONG DRIVE ON A HOT DAY IN SEPT. OUR TIRE "EXPLODED" IN AN UNUSUAL WAY: THE TREAD SIMPLY CAME DETACHED FROM THE TIRE. IT WAS NOT A "BLOW-OUT" IN THE USUAL SENSE--THE TIRE BENEATH THE TREAD WAS UNDAMAGED. THE TIRE WAS RELATIVELY NEW WITH MUCH TREAD-DEPTH LEFT ON IT. WHEN THE TREAD DETACHED, IT STRUCK THE REAR END OF THE CAR AND ACTIVATED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO IMM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729592 at NHTSA ↗