Skip to content
Air bagsPart report

1990 Ford Taurus Air bags Problems

Complaints
41about this part
Share
11%of 381 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the air bags of the 1990 Ford Taurus, 11% of the 381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“How do I get Ford motor company to honor genuine NHTSA recalls on a 1990 Ford Taurus wagon??? It currently has complaint # NHTSA 90e043001; NHTSA 98v323000; NHTSA 93v106002; NHTSA 91v34000. I cannot get dealership to replace air bag module defect, seat belt defect or cpu replacement defect. What do I do to get some action on these issues????”

NHTSA complaint #10295663, filed 2009-12, 70,000 miles

“When the paint began to peel, I chose not to repaint the vehicle due to cost. When the transmission failed, I chose not to repair it due to the cost to repair. When the cruise control stopped working, I chose not to repair due to the cost to repair. If I get the transmission fixed, I intend to have the airbag fixed as well.”

NHTSA complaint #10071100, filed 2004-01, 100,000 miles

“The vehicle has an on going problem with the air bag warning light coming on while driving. This may result in the air bag not deploying or deploy prematurely. The dealership indicated that the relay switch needed to be replaced to correct the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10065487, filed 2004-04, 57,000 miles

“While traveling 40 MPH vehicle was involved in a side impact, air bags deployed and hit consumer in the chest, pushing her neck back. Consumer sustained a spinal cord injury and a hernia disc injury. Also, vehicle was totaled.”

NHTSA complaint #10057247, filed 2004-01

“Vehicle was impacted at a high speed on the passenger rear side door. Then, vehicle impacted other vehicle. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. Vehicle was totaled.”

NHTSA complaint #10026965, filed 2003-07

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201916%
201725%
201645%
201552%
201452%
2013112%
201234%
201184%
2010115%
200969%
2008159%
200775%
2006217%
2005273%
2004216%
2003464%
2002473%
2001666%
2000887%
1999405%
1998397%
1997425%
1996455%
1995555%
1994384%
1993543%
1992497%
1991558%
19904111%
198910%

Other parts of the 1990 Ford Taurus

Engine cooling
78 complaints
Body and structure
68 complaints
Steering
51 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
42 complaints
Electrical system
41 complaints
Vehicle speed control
30 complaints
Brakes
26 complaints
Seat belts
24 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaints
Suspension
18 complaints
Equipment
12 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1990 Ford Taurus

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology