1989 Ford Taurus

◆ Worse than typical
1989 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Taurus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1989 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1208 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: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2012 2013: 583 complaints 2014: 228 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints 2019
1989: 570 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931565
1994931
19951208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001195
20011037
20021426
20031223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201278
2013583
2014228
2015267
201679
201744
201847
201915

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SEAT BELTS 25%

25% of complaints: seat belts — 144 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

UPON REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 10 MPH, DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN RESULTING IN STERNUM/CHEST BREAKAGE, DRIVER DIED TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950301

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%

22% of complaints: electrical system — 127 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASH FIRE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%

19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 110 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLES' ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20030617

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20030409

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030203

STRUCTURE 12%

12% of complaints: structure — 66 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and door.

INJURY
STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and hose, piping, and connections.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE: FAILURE OF POWER STEERING LINE LEAKED FLUID ONTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER; DRIVER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD BEFORE FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950209

POWER STEERING LINE DISCONNECTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

NHTSA ODI report, 19941003

LEFT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD FAILED, RIGHT FRONT FAILED AT 85,700 MILES.

NHTSA ODI report, 19940317

SAFETY TIMELINE

1989 — complaint volume: 570
I 19900327 — PE (closed 19900831)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900402 — PE (closed 19900628)

BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE

I 19900831 — EA (closed 19911231)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900928 — EA (closed 19910912)

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

I 19901218 — EA (closed 19920813)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

R 19910510 — seats

THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.

Campaign 91V036000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910801 — PE (closed 19911028)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

I 19910917 — PE (closed 19920127)

FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH

R 19910926 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 91V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19911028 — EA (closed 19920521)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

I 19920204 — PE (closed 19920625)

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

I 19920427 — PE (closed 19920831)

POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRES

R 19920515 — wheels

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 COMPART

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.

Campaign 92V065000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920701 — PE (closed 19921130)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

R 19921030 — seat belts

THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN TH

Remedy: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.

Campaign 92V113000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19921130 — EA (closed 19930630)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19930615 — PE (closed 19940216)

BROKEN TIE RODS

I 19930715 — PE (closed 19931130)

UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS

I 19931130 — PE (closed 19940328)

STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT

I 19931202 — PE (closed 19940630)

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

R 19941215 — suspension

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.

Campaign 94E036000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950808 — DP (closed 19950830)

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

R 19990118 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Campaign 98V323000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — seat belts

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.

Campaign 97I003000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (144 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (127 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (110 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97I003000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V036000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V065000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V113000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94E036000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1989 Ford Taurus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Ford Taurus is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford Taurus?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Ford Taurus have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.