CarModelProblems.com

1991 Ford Taurus Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 4.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
649Complaints
5Recalls
43Crashes
21Fires
23Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (34.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 4.4× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

An open NHTSA investigation (DP96014, opened Nov 1996) covers Air Bags:frontal, but no recall has been issued for it yet.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission221 · 34.1%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine88 · 13.6%Investigation closedEA96024 → recall 97V019000 · PE96033 → recall 97V019000
Structure:frame And Members51 · 7.9%RecalledRecall 98V323000
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly40 · 6.2%Investigation closedEA94008 · PE93058
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline28 · 4.3%Investigation closedEA96024 → recall 97V019000 · PE96033 → recall 97V019000
Air Bags:frontal24 · 3.7%Under investigationDP96014

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL24 · 3.7%
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION23 · 3.5%
AIR BAGS22 · 3.4%
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER20 · 3.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR19 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 649 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Suspension:front:shock Absorber

NHTSA campaign 94E036000 · 1994 · reported 11/25/1994

OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 97V025000 · 1997 · reported 02/26/1997

DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels

NHTSA campaign 92V065000 · 1992 · reported 05/11/1992

THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:frame And Members

NHTSA campaign 98V323000 · 1998 · reported 12/16/1998

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

NHTSA campaign 91V134000 · 1991 · reported 08/06/1991

SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN,DEALER AND MANUFACTURE REFUSED TO DO REPAIRS. CONSUMER HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED BEFORE RECALL, MANUFACTURER…”NHTSA complaint 981225 — filed 03/26/1996 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WILL DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.”NHTSA complaint 981094 — filed 03/22/1996 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS TOTALLY FAILED, GEARS WILL NOT ENGAGE. TT”NHTSA complaint 978250 — filed 01/25/1996 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

174199515713419971101881999605720012410200321220051520103

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Taurus?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 221 of 649 NHTSA complaints (34.1%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (88), structure:frame and members (51), steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1991 Ford Taurus have?

649 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 43 involved a crash, 21 involved a fire, and 23 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1991 Ford Taurus have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 94E036000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1991 Ford Taurus's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. NHTSA has an open investigation (DP96014) into air bags:frontal that has not led to a recall. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.