MYRModel Year Report

1991 Ford Taurus

◆ Worse than typical
1991 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, 1991 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 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 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
1991: 659 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.

POWER TRAIN 42%

42% of complaints: power train — 280 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20040806

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TRANSMISSION PLANETARY GEAR BURNT OUT DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479678). *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19940929

TRANSMISSION PLANETARY GEAR BURNT OUT DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION (OTHER VEHICLE FROM 474686). *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19940929

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 21%

21% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 13%

13% of complaints: service brakes — 84 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20121028

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

STEERING 12%

12% of complaints: steering — 81 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and linkages.

CRASH FIRE
STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 62 distinct reports on file, 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 SCC

NHTSA ODI report, 20021016

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1991 — complaint volume: 659
I 19910801 — PE (closed 19911028)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

I 19910924 — DP (closed 19920130)

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

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

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 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 19930727 — PE (closed 19931122)

FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS

I 19931202 — PE (closed 19940630)

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

I 19940216 — EA (closed 19950227)

BROKEN TIE RODS

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

I 19960502 — PE (closed 19960930)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

I 19960930 — EA (closed 19970415)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

I 19961114 — DP (open)

DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR

R 19970423 — vehicle speed control

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, MASSACHUSETTS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Campaign 97V025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19980504 — SQ (closed 19980508)

AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1991 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (280 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (137 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (84 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V065000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94E036000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V025000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

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