1991 Ford Taurus Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on the automatic transaxle, which owners describe slipping, slamming between gears, or losing drive entirely, often well before 100,000 miles. A second cluster concerns broken engine and motor mounts that let the engine shift, and structure complaints describe rear subframe mounts rusting through, sometimes after the recall work was already done. Steering and brake reports appear at higher mileages, typically above 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transaxle slip, harsh shifting, or loss of drive

   • 231 complaints (36%)
   • median 89,163 mi at 13.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,650 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2012

   Owners describe the automatic transmission slipping out of gear, hesitating before engaging, or downshifting with a hard jolt, and some report the vehicle losing forward or reverse drive while moving. Several say the unit was rebuilt or replaced and the same symptoms returned within months. Complaints also mention grinding or clunking noises before failure, and one owner reported the car jumping into reverse while climbing a hill. Dealers commonly overhauled or replaced the transaxle; owners describe difficulty getting later repairs covered under recall or owner-notification programs. Reports cluster from roughly 60,000 to 140,000 miles, with some failures described at low mileage.

   What to check: Drive the car from cold through every gear, including light-throttle 3-2 downshifts and part-throttle upshifts, and look for slips, flares, or hard engagements. Ask for transmission service records, including whether any previous recall or owner-notification work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. Please let me know if any other car same make and model has had the same problem. My mechanic tested it and it did this another 3 times.”

   NHTSA complaint #10086334, filed 2004-08, 102,000 miles

   “My 1991 Ford Taurus wagon has always had major transaxle problems! On two separate occasions the transmission pan bolts loossened on their own. This has caused premature transmission damage, and now the wagon runs misserably! Though we tightened up the bolts (for the third time) enough damage occured to the transmission and now the whole transmission needs replacement. I put a new one in when I bought it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10043131, filed 2003-10, 30,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Broken engine and motor mounts

   • 82 complaints (13%)
   • median 109,429 mi at 13.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners report a clunk or jerk from the front of the car, especially when accelerating from a stop, followed by the engine tilting and the hood denting from underneath. Complaints describe the throttle cable and radiator hoses being pulled or severed when a mount failed, and one owner reported the engine revving high and the car surging. Some say the dealer replaced repeated mounts or retightened a bolt that kept working loose, and a few note the repair was not covered by the structure-related recall because of the vehicle's VIN. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 30,000 to 125,000 miles.

   What to check: With the hood open, have someone put the car in drive and reverse against the brake while you watch the engine for excessive rocking, and check the mounts for cracks or separated rubber. Ask whether any mount has been replaced and whether the hood shows signs of contact from underneath.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving at 40 MPH. Loud clunking noise from front of car. Car immediately increased speed to 80 MPH. Brakes failed. Car stopped only by throwing into park. According to dealer, right rear motor mount snapped, tilting engine forward, severing throttle cable. Motor also lifted up hood resulting in severely dented hood. In process of lifting into hood, also severed radiator hoses. Told by dealer that motor mounts commonly fail with no warning to driver. I was lucky that I could stop the vehicle without any injuries to myself or anyone else. …”

   NHTSA complaint #703679, filed 1999-02

   “When accelerating from a complete stop a jerking motion was produced. As a result, steering became difficult. Dealer stated motor mounts failed. A recall 98v323000 was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10075960, filed 2004-06, 89,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag light on or air bag not deploying

   • 53 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 6.9 yrs old
   • 21 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners report the air bag warning light staying on, with a dealer finding a short in the wiring harness or telling the owner the computer needed to be reset at their cost. Other complaints describe collisions in which the driver's air bag did not deploy, or deployed violently and detached from the steering wheel. A shoulder belt that did not hold in one reported crash left the driver against the steering wheel. Reported across a wide range of ages and mileages; many complaints do not state mileage.

   What to check: Confirm the air bag warning light goes out after the bulb-check sequence at startup, and ask whether the wiring harness or sensors have been serviced. Note that this is an early-generation air bag system.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Air bag light has been illuminating on dash. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer noticed wiring harness had short circuited, causing light to illuminate. Also, experienced a problem with total loss of steering power. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #879770, filed 2001-02

   “Air bag sensor light came on aftr battery was changed. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that computer model needed to be reset, and they would do it at consumer's cost. Asking NHTSA to provide information on this matter, and whether consumer is responsible for this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #850282, filed 1999-10
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rear subframe mount corrosion and steering loss

   • 66 complaints (10%)
   • median 125,000 mi at 12.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe a loud noise followed by the steering locking or becoming difficult, traced to rusted rear subframe mounting bolts and washers and, in some cases, a cracked or rotted subframe. Several report the car had to be towed. Complaints mention that repair work performed under the corrosion recall later failed, with the bolt deteriorated again and the subframe cracked through. Some owners were told the subframe itself was rotted beyond the recall coverage and would be repaired at their expense. Typically reported above 90,000 miles on older vehicles, often in states that use road salt.

   Recall 98V323000

   What to check: Inspect the rear subframe mounting points and bolts for heavy rust, thinning, or cracks, especially on a car from a salt-belt state, and ask for paperwork showing the subframe recall was performed and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was notified by my mechanic that my 1991 Taurus-station wagon had a recall regarding the sub-frame. He suggested I call rizzo-Ford in no. Providence, r.I. On mineral spring ave. When I called I spoke to representative rick marrconte and he agreed that there was a recall and he would fix my car, bring it in he said. A few days later rick calls me back to inform me that not only the nut of the subframe was rotted, but also the subframe itself was rotted and it would cost $900.00 to fix and he told me my car was not worth it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10079121, filed 2004-07

   “While driving a loud noise was heard and the steering wheel locked. Vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated the cradle mounting washer and bolts rusted. Dealer installed sub frames rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates and replaced nuts.”

   NHTSA complaint #10022774, filed 2003-07, 93,858 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Tie rod and steering rack problems

   • 90 complaints (14%)
   • median 96,929 mi at 13.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe the steering wheel wobbling at highway speed, popping or clunking noises while turning, and in some cases a broken tie rod or rack shaft that led to loss of steering control. One complaint reports a fractured inner tie rod end that also ruptured a fuel line, and another describes a power steering fluid leak near the rack that led to a fire. Complaints also mention steering that is heavy at low speed and a total loss of power assist. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles; one fire complaint was at about 148,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the tie rod ends and rack boots for play, cracks, or grease leaks, look for power steering fluid seeping near the rack, and have the front end inspected on a lift before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 53699 miles, transmission would not pull, dealer removed and overhauled transacle and replaced both outer cv boots, 3 months later more problems occurred with the transmission. Air conditioner failed and 4 months later failed again after repair. Popping noise in steering wheel while turning. Strut bushings noisy and tie rods were replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #843754, filed 1999-09

   “While making a right turn at 5 MPH, inner tie rod end fractured at the attachment point of ball joint to tie rod, causing loss of vehicle control and rupture of fuel line resulting in a massive fuel leak. Vehicle was towed to an independent shop and repaired. Dealer/manufacturer were not contacted at this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #857158, filed 2000-02

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the transaxle, engine mounts, rear subframe mounting points, and steering linkage, since these account for most of the complaints on this model year. Ask for service records and any recall paperwork, and budget for repairs typical of a vehicle of this age and mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.