1989 Ford Taurus

562 complaints on file, page 1 of 29.

1. Filed Mar 15, 2017Failure Oct 13, 2016190,000 milesJeffersonville, INSuspension

   THE BALL END BROKE OFF THE TIE ROD.

   NHTSA complaint 10966121
2. Filed Aug 17, 2010Failure Jul 1, 2010215,000 milesMurrieta, CASeat belts

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE SEATBELT, THE ENTIRE SEATBELT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE ANCHORAGE CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 215,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10350035
3. Filed Apr 22, 2010Failure Apr 22, 201096,000 milesMooresville, NCVehicle speed control

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE TRIED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, HE WAS UNABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL USING THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN USING THE BRAKES BUT HAD TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY PUSHING THE OFF BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10326978
4. Filed Mar 3, 2010Failure Jun 3, 198910,000 milesCharlotteville, VAVehicle speed control

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1989 FORD TAURUS GLS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 85 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF AS THE SPEED INCREASED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THEY NEVER WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE DUPLICATE FAILURE 2 YEARS LATER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE CRASH TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER INCIDENT BEFORE HER STATE CONSIDERED THE VEHICLE FAILURES UNDER THE LEMON LAW. THE CONTACT GAVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10316194
5. Filed Jan 19, 2010Failure Jun 10, 2008150,000 milesAnacortes, WAVehicle speed controlCrash

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER ACCIDENTLY STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND UNEXPECTEDLY, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS BEING POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

   NHTSA complaint 10300317
6. Filed Jul 7, 2008Failure Jan 18, 1989Chicago, ILService brakes, Hydraulic, Suspension, Tires

   HAVING TO MANY PROBLEMS WITH TIRE, HEATING, BRAKES, SUSPENSION I CHANGE THIS PARTS LIKE 3 TIMES. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10233327
7. Filed Jul 18, 2007Failure Jul 17, 2007150,000 milesCouncil Bluffs, IAService brakes, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

   THIS WAS ON A 1989 FORD TAURUS L . AFTER REAR BRAKE REPAIRS THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE PROPORTIONING VALVE TO THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE SPRUNG A LEAK AND ALL BRAKING WAS LOST. DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THIS BRAKE LINE LIKELY BROKE DUE TO YEARS OF CORROSION FROM ROAD SALTS AND OTHER SOURCES DURING BAD WEATHER. DUE TO SO MUCH POSSIBLE DAMAGE FROM CORROSION I HAVE DECIDED TO JUNK THE CAR. BUT IT WAS LIKELY THAT OTHER FORD TAURUS OWNERS MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. *AK

   NHTSA complaint 10196769
8. Filed Aug 5, 2006Failure Jul 16, 2006Childress, TXSwitchFire

   SUNDAY AT 11:45 AM, I LEFT MY HOUSE TO GO TO WORK AT WAL-MART. AT ABOUT 4:30 PM, A CUSTOMER AT WAL-MART CAME IN THE STORE AND TOLD US THAT A CAR WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE WHO CAR IT WAS. IT WAS MINE. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASH. THE WHOLE DASH IS GONE. THE FIRE STARTED BY ELECTRICAL IN THE DASH. I HAVE THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I WAS ON IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *NM

   NHTSA complaint 10164591
9. Filed Feb 7, 2005Failure Feb 2, 200595,746 milesWexford, PACoil springs

   WHILE DRIVING MY 1989 FORD TAURUS SEDAN AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30 PM I EXPERIENCED AN APPARENT BLOWOUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. IN THE DARK, MY 13 YEAR OLD SON AND I CHANGED THE TIRE PUTTING ON THE TEMPORARY SPARE AND WE DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE LOCAL TIRE SHOP. THERE, OBSERVING THAT THE ORIGINAL TIRE WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING REPAIRED, I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT TIRE. AFTER MOUNTING THE NEW TIRE TO THE WHEEL, THE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE WHEEL ONTO THE VEHICLE. THEY DISCOVERED A FRACTURED COIL SPRING ALONG WITH A DAMAGED STRUT AND OUTER TIE ROD. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THESE ITEMS (THEY DID BOTH SIDES SINCE THE OTHER EQUIPMENT WAS OF THE SAME VINTAGE) THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PLACE THE FRONT END FULLY INTO ALIGNMENT DUE TO FURTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE COIL SPRING. REPAIRS TO DATE HAVE COST ME $660.88. THE OLD PARTS (SPRINGS, STRUTS AND TIRE) ARE AVAILABLE. *JB

   NHTSA complaint 10110008
10. Filed Oct 25, 2004Failure Oct 7, 2004153,389 milesAustin, TXFrame and members

    WHILE DRIVING MY 1989 FORD TAURUS, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, AND THE CAR BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT NEAR ANY OTHER CARS, AND ONLY 1 BLOCK FROM HOME, SO WITH BRUTE FORCE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. INSPECTION FOUND THAT BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUB FRAME THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND SUSPENSION HAD DROPPED DOWN, SEPERATED FROM MAIN CAR CHASSIS. I THOUGHT THIS WAS UNUSUAL, SO I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD ISSUED RECALL NOTICE 98S36 THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. EVEN THOUGH I NOW LIVE IN TEXAS, I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1990 IN NEW YORK, AND OWNED SINCE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN NEW YORK FOR THE 1ST 4 YEARS I OWNED IT. THE RECALL DESCRIBES A SUBFRAME RUST PROBLEM FOR CARS DRIVEN IN STATES THAT USE SALT IN THE ROADS IN WINTER. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER REQUESTING MY CAR BE REPAIRED WITH A KIT OF PARTS THE IS SUPPLIED IN THE 98S36 RECALL. I EVEN OFFERED TO PAY. I WAS TOLD MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST FOR THIS RECALL, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I THEN CALL FORD DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I ARGUED THAT MY CAR HAD THE EXACT FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE LETTER, AND IN SAME CONDITIONS, SO MY CAR MUST BE ON THE LIST. BUT FORD SAID NO, VIN IS NOT ON LIST, AND THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME A TECHICAL REASON FOR THAT POSITION. MY ISSUES ARE; 1. IF FORD MISSED MY CAR IN IN RECALL NOTICE, THERE MUST STILL BE MANY FORD TAURUS'S DRIVING AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT DUE THIS PROBLEM. 2. I WANT THE KIT OF PARTS THE COMES IN THE RECALL TO FIX MY CAR, SINCE THE CAR RUNS FINE AND IS GOOD CONDITION. THE VIN NUMBER OF THIS CAR IS: [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 10096398
11. Filed Aug 27, 2004Failure Oct 18, 2003Fort Pierce, FLLugs/nuts/bolts/studsCrash4 injured

    CAR TRAVELING 50 MPH DOWN A DRY DIRT ROAD, WITH NO REASON CAR ENDED UP SPINNING 5 TIMES AND BEING STOPPED BY A TREE. A LOUD THUMP WAS HEARD JUST PRIOR TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. INVESTIGATION DONE. ENGINE HAD DROPPED, COULD HAVE BEEN AT TIME OF IMPACT. I WONDER IF THIS AUTO EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T INCLUDED IN AN EARLIER RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN ATLANTA SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS AS OTHERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. RECALL SAID SNOW SALTS CAUSED DETERIOTION OF SUBMOUNT BOLTS, FLORIDA SEACOAST WEATHER RUSTS BOLTS TOO.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10088712
12. Filed Aug 4, 2004Failure Apr 17, 200095,000 milesCincinnati, OHAutomatic transmission, Steering, Frame and members, Suspension

    WE HAVE A 1989 TAURUS W/OD TRANSMISSION THAT SHIFTS HARD AND ROUGH, ALSO THE FRONT AND REAR RATTLES AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALLS FOR THIS ON OUR VEHICLE. THE PAINT IS BLISTERING WITH ORANGE RUST COMING THROUGH, AND THE STEARING (POWER W/TILT) HAS A JERK IN IT. CAN YOU OR WILL YOU HELP ME WITH THESE DEFECTS?*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10086192
13. Filed May 5, 2004Altmar, NYCoil springs

    WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN THE LEFT FRONT DROPPED TO THE GROUND. CONSUMER GOT OUT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THE TIRE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE RIM. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN OFF. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10072145
14. Filed Feb 19, 2004Failure Feb 15, 200462,000 milesLong Beach, CASeat belts

    THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT BACK TO THE LOCKING POSITION. TH DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10059331
15. Filed Oct 14, 2003Failure Apr 23, 2003200,000 milesApple Valley, CAAnchorage

    WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT ANCHORING CABLE BROKE FROM ITS ANCHOR. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE CABLE BROKE DUE TO EXTENSIVE WEAR AND TEAR. MANUFACTURER WOULD BE INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10042819
16. Filed Sep 5, 2003Failure Aug 8, 200390,090 milesYeadon, PACatalytic convertor

    I OWN VIN#[XXX] AND WENT FOR INSPECTION ON 8/8/03 AND FAILED EMISSION CONTROL#92E30 DUE TO A RECALL ON CATALYST#93E47 WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED .FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THIS BY LETTER EVER ! ALSO THIS HAS NEVER COME UP ON ANY OF MY PRIOR INSPECTIONS THEIR FOR I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS SINCE YOU NEVER SENT ANY INFORMATION OR RECEIVED A CALL FROM ANY ONE ON THIS MATTER AND NOW THIS HAS COME ABOUT AND I SHOULD NOT BE HELD LIABLE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I DID MYSELF .I SHOULD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND GIVEN THE SAME OPPORTUNITY AS OTHERS TO CORRECT THIS MATTER. PLEASE RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS AND TELL ME HOW CAN I CORRECT THIS MATTER WITHOUT ANY FURTHER PROBLEM FOR ME OR YOUR COMPANY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10037298
17. Filed Jul 30, 2003Failure Jul 25, 2003Chicago, ILSeat belts

    CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH. DEALER NOTIFIED

    NHTSA complaint 10031531
18. Filed Jul 29, 2003Failure Jul 28, 2003Chicago, ILModule, Linkage and cable, Buckle assembly

    I BOUGHT MY 1989 FORD TAURUS IN JUNE OF 2001. IN THE PAPERWORK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNERS WAS INFO. ON A RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY DATED 4/98 REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH SEATBELT BUCKLES. I RECENTLY HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH MY SEATBELT BUCKLES AND TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS CONSEQUENTLY TOLD IT WAS WAY PASSED THE WARRANTY DATE EVEN BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SO MY COMPLAINT IS HOW DO I GET THEM FIXED SINCE THIS CAN BECOME A SERIOUS MATTER IF I OR ANYONE ELSE GETS STUCK IN THE CAR, OR HAS FURTHER DIFFICULTIES EVEN FASTENING THE SEATBELT. I ALSO WAS NOTIFIED OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACING THE IGNITION MODULE TO SUBMIT YOUR RECEIPTS BY 10/02. I HOWEVER DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE IT UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND SUBMITTED THOSE RECEIPTS ANYWAY WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE WHAT SO EVER. I'VE ALSO NOT LONG AGO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR MOUNTINGS FOR MY REAR SHOCKS AND SPRINGS AND THE FRONT NEED TO BE DONE AS WELL. DOES THIS QUALIFY IN THE RECALL OF THE SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER ID #94E36000? *AK I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO HOW A PERSON KNOWS TO LOOK FOR THESE RECALLS WHEN BUYING A VEHICLE. SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFY US?

    NHTSA complaint 10030328
19. Filed Jul 11, 2003Failure Mar 1, 200353,000 milesLoveland, COStructure

    THE CHASSIS MOUNTS ON THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME CORRODED AND BROKE WHICH ALLOWED THE FRAME TO SEPARATE FRONT HE BODY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *MR *CB *NLM

    NHTSA complaint 10027262
20. Filed May 27, 200360,000 milesWashington, DCEngine and engine coolingFire

    VEHICLES' ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *MR

    NHTSA complaint 10022407