MYRModel Year Report

1981 Ford Taurus

○ Not enough data
1981 Ford Taurus
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:37:40.566Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Taurus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1981 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 101 complaints 1987: 255 complaints 1987 1988: 333 complaints 1989: 562 complaints 1990: 381 complaints 1991: 649 complaints 1992: 681 complaints 1992 1993: 1557 complaints 1994: 923 complaints 1995: 1205 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1195 complaints 2001: 1037 complaints 2002: 1426 complaints 2002 2003: 1223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 202 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2012 2013: 579 complaints 2014: 227 complaints 2015: 253 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 43 complaints 2017 2018: 45 complaints 2019: 11 complaints 2019
1981: 2 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986101
1987255
1988333
1989562
1990381
1991649
1992681
19931557
1994923
19951205
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001195
20011037
20021426
20031223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010202
2011187
201278
2013579
2014227
2015253
201675
201743
201845
201911

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.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20000831

POWER TRAIN

1 of 2 total reports mentions: power train.

Show complaint excerpts

SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS. YH

NHTSA ODI report, 19991214

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 19860723 — DP (closed 19860821)

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1981 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (1 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.