1999 Ford Taurus
This year had more than double the complaints of 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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 101 |
| 1987 | 255 |
| 1988 | 333 |
| 1989 | 562 |
| 1990 | 381 |
| 1991 | 649 |
| 1992 | 681 |
| 1993 | 1557 |
| 1994 | 923 |
| 1995 | 1205 |
| 1996 | 825 |
| 1997 | 770 |
| 1998 | 545 |
| 1999 | 874 |
| 2000 | 1195 |
| 2001 | 1037 |
| 2002 | 1426 |
| 2003 | 1223 |
| 2004 | 375 |
| 2005 | 774 |
| 2006 | 318 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 202 |
| 2011 | 187 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 579 |
| 2014 | 227 |
| 2015 | 253 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
15% of complaints: suspension — 127 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 89 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND RIGHT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120313
THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT. HAD APPLIED BRAKES QUICKLY. ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE ACCELERATED AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. REARENDED VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990122
WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED JUMPING AROUND, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE RPM'S REVED UP HIGH. I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF INTO THE INTERSECTION I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR!
NHTSA ODI report, 20171119
8% of complaints: power train — 68 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY6% of complaints: steering — 49 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY3% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 29 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT. HAD APPLIED BRAKES QUICKLY. ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP. VEHICLE ACCELERATED AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. REARENDED VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990122
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SEAT TRACKS. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHING STUD MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THIS HEAT TREATMENT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN C
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 98V198000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DASH INSULATOR RETAINER CLIP WAS NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DASH FITTING. THE CLIP CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND FALL I
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.
Campaign 98V204000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MOD
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.
Campaign 98V288000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 99V250000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 15
Campaign 04V332000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (127 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (89 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (68 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V198000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V204000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V288000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V250000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V332000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Ford Taurus is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is suspension:front:springs:coil springs, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Taurus have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.