MYRModel Year Report

1991 Ford Taurus

◆ Worse than typical
1991 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
659
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1991

Investigations
14

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

42% 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 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 659 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 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 659 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 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 659 1992: 694 complaints 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

1991: 659 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.

Power train

42% · 280 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My Ford Taurus 1991 station wagon lunged forward uncontrollably after backing up, braking, then starting to go forward. It went against a wall, the brake didn't work, the front of the car was crashed, I had to put it into park to stop it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-06

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Transmission planetary gear burnt out due to lack of lubrication (Other vehicle on 479678).

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-09-29

Transmission planetary gear burnt out due to lack of lubrication (Other vehicle from 474686).

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-09-29

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 137 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

13% · 84 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My 1991 non sho Ford Taurus was parked in the driveway for 1 day. I walked out to my car in the early morning to take it to work. I put the key into the ignition and shifted the car into reverse.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-28

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system and vehicle speed control

Steering

12% · 81 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and linkages.

CRASHFIRE

Structure

9% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and body.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The consumer states that the carriage bolt had broken, causing the frame to drop down on the steering, causing a loss of steering. Mr recall#93V106002…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-16

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 14 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1991Complaint volume 659 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
  3. I
    1991-09-24Defect petitionClosed 1992-01-30 Anti-lock brakes
  4. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
  6. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  8. I
    1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
  9. I
    1993-07-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-11-30 Underbody fuel line fails
  10. I
    1993-07-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-11-22 Failure of wheel studs
  11. I
    1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
  12. I
    1994-02-16Engineering analysisClosed 1995-02-27 Broken tie rods
  13. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
  15. I
    1996-05-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-09-30 Engine cooling fan fires
  16. I
    1996-09-30Engineering analysisClosed 1997-04-15 Engine cooling fan fires
  17. I
    1996-11-14Defect petitionOpen Defective air bag crash sensor
  18. R
    1997-04-23Vehicle speed control97V025000 Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8L engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas…

    Remedy: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. I
    1998-05-04SQClosed 1998-05-08 Audio system fires
  20. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1991 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 280 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 137 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 84 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 91V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 92V065000 · Wheels
  • Recall 94E036000 · Suspension
  • Recall 97V025000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V323000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1991 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Ford Taurus is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1991 Ford Taurus have?
5 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.