1989 Ford Taurus

◆ Worse than typical
1989 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-10-10

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

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
17

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1989 570 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 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: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1989 570 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 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: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2015 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1989 570 1990: 392 complaints 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: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints

1989: 570 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
2013584
2014229
2015271
201681
201744
201847
201915

Known problem areas

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

Seat belts

25% · 144 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIRE

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 110 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and door.

INJURY

Steering

10% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and hose, piping, and connections.

CRASHFIRE
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 →

  1. ▮
    1989Complaint volume 570 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1990-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-08-31 Throttle sticking
  3. I
    1990-04-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-28 Brake disc hub failure
  4. I
    1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
  5. I
    1990-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-12 Brake disc hub separations
  6. I
    1990-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 1992-08-13 Seat belt buckle failure
  7. R
    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.

  8. I
    1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
  9. I
    1991-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-01-27 Fires in ignition switch
  10. 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.

  11. I
    1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
  12. I
    1992-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-25 Engine mount failure
  13. I
    1992-04-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-08-31 Power steering leaks/fires
  14. 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.

  15. I
    1992-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-11-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  16. R
    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.

  17. I
    1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  18. I
    1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
  19. I
    1993-07-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-11-30 Underbody fuel line fails
  20. I
    1993-11-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-03-28 Steering lck-up/impediment
  21. I
    1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
  22. 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.

  23. I
    1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
  24. 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.

  25. R
    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 →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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.