1991 Ford Taurus Problems, Recalls & Reliability
946 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1991 Ford Taurus, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 14 defect investigations. It scores 43/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports.
Below average
Where 1991 sits among all Taurus years
What owners report
“Customer experienced transmission problems after recall (93m84) repair for erratic transmission operation. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1991 Taurus
“Windshield resealed/power window repaired/multi-function switch/transmission/steering linkage/ water pump/thermostat/fan/alternator and air conditioner compressor replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1991 Taurus
“Antilock brake pedal not completely returning, replaced master cylinder/power brake booster.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1991 Taurus
“Tie rod on the passenger side worn in for repair twice, inner tie and end had to be replace. Tt”— owner report to NHTSA, 1991 Taurus
“While driving, experiences intermittent engine shut down, when suddenly loss of power occurs, low speeds, without prior warning. Tt”— owner report to NHTSA, 1991 Taurus
“Vehicle experienced failure of the recall component prior to recall notice (98v-323). Mjs”— owner report to NHTSA, 1991 Taurus
Recalls (5)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
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, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH…
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Fix: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
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 COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Fix: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
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.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO…
Led to recall campaign 97V019000.
Led to recall campaign 97V019000.
Led to recall campaign 93V106001.
Led to recall campaign 92V065000.
Technical service bulletins
71 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on transmission & drivetrain and visibility & wipers — are on file for the 1991 Ford Taurus. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1991 Taurus TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1991 Ford Taurus reliable?
The 1991 Ford Taurus drew 946 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 43/100, scored against the model's worst year (1993).
What are the most common 1991 Ford Taurus problems?
The top reported problems for the 1991 Ford Taurus are transmission & drivetrain (280 complaints), engine (147), and brakes & stability (86).
Does the 1991 Ford Taurus have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 1991 Ford Taurus. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.