MYRModel Year Report

1981 Ford Taurus

○ Not enough data
1981 Ford Taurus
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:44:29.501Z

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
2

Too few to rank

Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 2 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 585 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 272 complaints 2016: 83 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 16 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 2 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2003 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 585 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 272 complaints 2015 2016: 83 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 16 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 2 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1990 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1996 1997: 770 complaints 1998: 545 complaints 1998 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 585 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 272 complaints 2016: 83 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 16 complaints

1981: 2 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931,565
1994931
19951,208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001,195
20011,037
20021,426
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013585
2014229
2015272
201683
201744
201847
201916

Known problem areas

Only 2 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Tires

1 of 2 total reports mentions: tires.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Firestone tire failure is not a new thing. I had the same problem almost 19 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter and ended up in a ditch after a blow out at 70 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-08-31

Power train

1 of 2 total reports mentions: power train.

Show complaint excerpts

Speedometer malfunctions. Yh

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-12-14

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1986-07-23Defect petitionClosed 1986-08-21 Sudden acceleration

Buy-smart checklist

1981 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Tires: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Power train: 1 report on file for this year.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

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Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1981 Ford Taurus reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1981 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1981 Ford Taurus have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.