1989 Ford Taurus
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.
- Complaints
- 570
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 17
- Top problem
- Seat belts
Campaigns on file for 1989
Opened by NHTSA
25% of complaints
Complaints per year
1989: 570 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 104 |
| 1987 | 259 |
| 1988 | 341 |
| 1989 | 570 |
| 1990 | 392 |
| 1991 | 659 |
| 1992 | 694 |
| 1993 | 1,565 |
| 1994 | 931 |
| 1995 | 1,208 |
| 1996 | 825 |
| 1997 | 770 |
| 1998 | 545 |
| 1999 | 874 |
| 2000 | 1,195 |
| 2001 | 1,037 |
| 2002 | 1,426 |
| 2003 | 1,223 |
| 2004 | 375 |
| 2005 | 774 |
| 2006 | 318 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 204 |
| 2011 | 187 |
| 2012 | 79 |
| 2013 | 584 |
| 2014 | 229 |
| 2015 | 271 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 15 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Seat belts
25% · 144 reportsMost commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.
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, 1995-03-01
Electrical system
22% · 127 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Engine and engine cooling
19% · 110 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicles' engine caught fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-17
While driving the vehicle caught fire under the hood. *nlm while driving the vehicle caught fire under the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-09
The vehicle caught on fire, while consumer was driving.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-03
Structure
12% · 66 reportsMost commonly citing frame and members and door.
Steering
10% · 58 reportsMost commonly citing tie rod assembly and hose, piping, and connections.
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.…
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-09
Power steering line disconnected, causing fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-03
Left front outer tie rod failed, right front failed at 85,700 miles.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-03-17
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 17 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1989Complaint volume 570 complaints filed for this model year.
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1990-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-08-31 Throttle sticking
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1990-04-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-28 Brake disc hub failure
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1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
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1990-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-12 Brake disc hub separations
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1990-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 1992-08-13 Seat belt buckle failure
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1991-05-10Seats91V036000 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.
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1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
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1991-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-01-27 Fires in ignition switch
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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.
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1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
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1992-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-25 Engine mount failure
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1992-04-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-08-31 Power steering leaks/fires
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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.
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1992-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-11-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
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1992-10-30Seat belts92V113000 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…
Remedy: Ford will replace the rigid mounted safety belt buckles with end release safety belt buckles designed to prevent latch problems.
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1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
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1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
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1993-07-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-11-30 Underbody fuel line fails
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1993-11-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-03-28 Steering lck-up/impediment
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1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
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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.
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1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
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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.
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Date not on fileSeat belts97I003000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
1989 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Seat belts: 144 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 127 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 110 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97I003000 · Seat belts
- Recall 91V036000 · Seats
- Recall 91V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 92V065000 · Wheels
- Recall 92V113000 · Seat belts
- Recall 94E036000 · Suspension
- Recall 98V323000 · Structure
Other years of this model
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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.