1986 Ford Taurus

▲ Better than typical
1986 Ford Taurus
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:43:38.897Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

Complaints
104
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
22

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 104 1987: 259 complaints 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 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 104 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 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 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 104 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

1986: 104 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Power train

22% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

Problems with transmission. Nar 07/02/2003. *mr the consumer found that Ford motor company intentionally sold defective vehicles to customers.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-15

Electrical system

18% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle's ignition switch burned while driving.please describe.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-02

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.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-20

Structure

17% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

Steering

10% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Power steering failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-05-19

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 22 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1986-03-05Visibility86V039000 The right quarter windows may contain glass which was improperly tempered. This glass may yield pieces larger than the maximum allowed by FMVSS 205, glazing material.

    Remedy: Replace the quarter windows containing date code 5 af.

  2. R
    1987-02-17Visibility87V017000 Road salt induced erosion of the wiper motor conductor strips could cause localized thermal stress within the glass.

    Remedy: Apply sealant to conductor strips and protective tape to lower backlites.

  3. I
    1987-05-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 1987-08-24 Steering binding
  4. R
    1987-10-12Fuel system, gasoline87V139000 Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

    Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

  5. I
    1988-01-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-05-26 High brake pedal effort
  6. I
    1988-04-22Engineering analysisClosed 1990-01-12 Stalling
  7. I
    1988-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-26 Head rest drops
  8. I
    1988-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-25 Front seat bracket
  9. I
    1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-13 Exhaust gas intrusion
  10. I
    1989-05-25Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-22 Front seat bracket
  11. I
    1989-06-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-10-31 Safety belt failure
  12. I
    1989-10-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-02-28 Safety belt failure
  13. I
    1989-11-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-27 Speed control failure
  14. I
    1990-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-08-31 Throttle sticking
  15. I
    1990-04-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-28 Brake disc hub failure
  16. I
    1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
  17. I
    1990-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-12 Brake disc hub separations
  18. I
    1991-01-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-22 Door handles breakage
  19. I
    1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
  20. I
    1991-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-01-27 Fires in ignition switch
  21. R
    1991-09-26Service brakes, hydraulic91V134000 Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.

    Remedy: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.

  22. I
    1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
  23. R
    1992-05-15Wheels92V065000 Children can accidentally lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat, or in the storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with an optional third seat. Once the…

    Remedy: Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.

  24. I
    1992-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-11-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  25. I
    1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  26. R
    1993-07-22Structure93V106000 Vehicle description: Taurus and sables built from 10-14-85 through 8-19-88, and Lincoln continentals built from 11-4-87 through 9-30-88 (Except 1989 - 1991 2.5L Taurus and 1989 - 1992 sho). The…

    Remedy: Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. This recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98V-323.

  27. I
    1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
  28. R
    1994-12-15Suspension94E036000 The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.

    Remedy: Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.

  29. I
    1997-08-29Recall queryClosed 1999-02-16 Rear lower subframe assembly
  30. R
    1999-01-18Structure98V323000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, district of columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland…

    Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.

  31. R
    Date not on fileSteering85V172000 No summary on file.

    Remedy: Ignition lock switch cylinder will be replaced.

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 85V172000 · Steering
  • Recall 86V039000 · Visibility
  • Recall 87V017000 · Visibility
  • Recall 87V139000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 91V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 92V065000 · Wheels
  • Recall 93V106000 · Structure
  • Recall 94E036000 · Suspension
  • Recall 98V323000 · Structure

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Ford Taurus is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 Ford Taurus have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

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