FaultScore

1989 Ford Taurus engine problems

114 of the 762 complaints about the 1989 Ford Taurus are about the engine — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,000 miles.

F

114

Complaints

1

Crashes

23

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 48 42.1%
Gasoline 38 33.3%
Radiator Assembly 5 4.4%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 5 4.4%
Cooling System 4 3.5%
Catalytic Convertor 4 3.5%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 3 2.6%
Emission Control 2 1.8%
Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 2 1.8%
Exhaust System 1 0.9%

Engine & Cooling across every Ford Taurus year

1986 27 0.7%
1987 42 1.1%
1988 76 2.1%
1989 114 3.1%
1990 91 2.5%
1991 147 4.0%
1992 261 7.1%
1993 760 20.5%
1994 339 9.2%
1995 403 10.9%
1996 241 6.5%
1997 173 4.7%
1998 66 1.8%
1999 89 2.4%
2000 115 3.1%
2001 68 1.8%
2002 65 1.8%
2003 90 2.4%
2004 44 1.2%
2005 108 2.9%
2006 43 1.2%
2007 29 0.8%
2008 31 0.8%
2009 24 0.6%
2010 48 1.3%
2011 49 1.3%
2012 13 0.4%
2013 76 2.1%
2014 22 0.6%
2015 34 0.9%
2016 14 0.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 90,090 miles Yeadon, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I OWN VIN#[XXX] AND WENT FOR INSPECTION ON 8/8/03 AND FAILED EMISSION CONTROL#92E30 DUE TO A RECALL ON CATALYST#93E47 WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED .FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THIS BY LETTER EVER ! ALSO THIS HAS NEVER COME UP ON ANY OF MY PRIOR INSPECTIONS THEIR FOR I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS SINCE YOU NEVER SENT ANY INFORMATION OR RECEIVED A CALL FROM ANY ONE ON THIS MATTER AND NOW THIS HAS COME ABOUT AND I SHOULD NOT BE HELD LIABLE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I DID MYSELF .I SHOULD HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND GIVEN THE SAME OPPORTUNITY AS OTHERS TO CORRECT THIS MATTER. PLEASE RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS AND TELL ME HOW CAN I CORRECT THIS MATTER WITHOUT ANY FURTHER PROBLEM FOR ME OR YOUR COMPANY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10037298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Washington, DC Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLES' ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10022407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Washington, DC Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10015538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10004717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berwyn, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING, AFTER WHICH BLACK SMOKE EMITS FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT STALLS OUT, POSSIBE ENGINE FAILURE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #566570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfax, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON HIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #555474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfax, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 BLOWN HEAD GASKETS.

NHTSA complaint #555474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Antioch, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WEBBING ON BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS CAUSE THEM NOT TO RETRACT AFTER SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED, ALSO IT'S HARD TO LOCK THE BELTS EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WEBBING IS GOOD, HOWEVER THE SEAT BELT DOES RESTRAIN CONSUMER IF THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED SUDDENLY, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT BELTS, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED.8JB

NHTSA complaint #8002180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #895047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

ENGINE STALLS REPEATEDY AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER SAID THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WAS BAD, WHICH COST ME $400 , BUT THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY STALLED WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. I RETURNED THE CAR, BUT THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON IT DUE TO A COOLANT LEAK (WHICH WAS IN THE RECOVERY RESEVOIR NOT LEAVING THE COOLANT LOW IN THE ENGINE). THEY INSISTED THAT THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND THAT NOTHING ELSE SHOWED UP. I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR TO WORK AND AVERAGE ABOUT 5 STALLS IN A 24 MILE ROUND TRIP EVERY DAY (ANY SPEED).

NHTSA complaint #750346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tigard, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN, THIS CAUSED THE EXHAUST CONVERTER ASS'Y TO FAIL AN CAUSE A EXHAUST LEAK BY THE ENGINE MAKING THE ENGINE RUN HOT. HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE STALLING OUT IN HOT WEATHER, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, FUEL ENJECTORS, AND IGNITION MODULE CAR IS STILL STALLING OUT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM 700F AND ABOVE. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG (NO CODES). LET THE CAR SIT AND WILL START AFTER A WHILE, SOME TIME 1 MINUTE SOMETIMES 1 HOUR.

NHTSA complaint #745218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tigard, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN, THIS CAUSED THE EXHAUST CONVERTER ASS'Y TO FAIL AN CAUSE A EXHAUST LEAK BY THE ENGINE MAKING THE ENGINE RUN HOT. HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE STALLING OUT IN HOT WEATHER, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, FUEL ENJECTORS, AND IGNITION MODULE CAR IS STILL STALLING OUT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM 700F AND ABOVE. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG (NO CODES). LET THE CAR SIT AND WILL START AFTER A WHILE, SOME TIME 1 MINUTE SOMETIMES 1 HOUR.

NHTSA complaint #745218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tigard, OR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN, THIS CAUSED THE EXHAUST CONVERTER ASS'Y TO FAIL AN CAUSE A EXHAUST LEAK BY THE ENGINE MAKING THE ENGINE RUN HOT. HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ENGINE STALLING OUT IN HOT WEATHER, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, FUEL ENJECTORS, AND IGNITION MODULE CAR IS STILL STALLING OUT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM 700F AND ABOVE. TOOK IT TO SHOP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG (NO CODES). LET THE CAR SIT AND WILL START AFTER A WHILE, SOME TIME 1 MINUTE SOMETIMES 1 HOUR.

NHTSA complaint #745218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charleston, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET IS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO RADIATOR CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #878284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfax, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

3 SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. NLM

NHTSA complaint #553705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfax, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2 HEAD GASKETS BLEW. NLM

NHTSA complaint #553705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendora, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

GRADUAL LEAK IN HEAD GASKET PRODUCING ENGINE MISFIRES ,WARRANTING REPLACEMENT BOTH AT 53,000 AND 63,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #736876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Huntingdon, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THIS CAR IT HAS BEEB A MONEY PIT. I BOUGHT IT AN WAS NOT AWRE OF ALL OF THE PROPLEMS THIS MODEL WAS HAVING. THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE ELCERTICAL WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I AM DISABLED AND IT COULD HAVE GIVEN ME A HEART ATTACK. I COULD NOT HAVE PUSHED THIS CAR OFF THE ROAD. NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL INJECTORS OR THEIR SENSORS NO ONE HAS BEEN ABVLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS CURRENTLY AT MY MECHANICS GARAGE FOR TWO MONTHS HE HAS CALLLED FORD WITH OUTTOO MUCH HELP. I UNDERSTAND HE HAS REPLCED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSORS AND IT IS STILL HESITATING WHEN ONE TRIES TO STEP ON THE GAS.

NHTSA complaint #734271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Huntingdon, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THIS CAR IT HAS BEEB A MONEY PIT. I BOUGHT IT AN WAS NOT AWRE OF ALL OF THE PROPLEMS THIS MODEL WAS HAVING. THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE ELCERTICAL WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I AM DISABLED AND IT COULD HAVE GIVEN ME A HEART ATTACK. I COULD NOT HAVE PUSHED THIS CAR OFF THE ROAD. NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE FUEL INJECTORS OR THEIR SENSORS NO ONE HAS BEEN ABVLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS CURRENTLY AT MY MECHANICS GARAGE FOR TWO MONTHS HE HAS CALLLED FORD WITH OUTTOO MUCH HELP. I UNDERSTAND HE HAS REPLCED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENSORS AND IT IS STILL HESITATING WHEN ONE TRIES TO STEP ON THE GAS.

NHTSA complaint #734271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

VEHICLE WILL STALL SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, USUALLY STALLS ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER 6 TIMES . DEALER CANNOT NOT DETERMINE DEFECT BECAUSE BY TIME VEHICLE ARRIVES AT DEALERS VEHICLE WILL RESTART.*AK THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED. ALL HEATER AND COOLANT HOSES WERE REPLACED. SERPNTINE BELT WAS CRACKED. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #873725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

VEHICLE WILL STALL SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, USUALLY STALLS ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER 6 TIMES . DEALER CANNOT NOT DETERMINE DEFECT BECAUSE BY TIME VEHICLE ARRIVES AT DEALERS VEHICLE WILL RESTART.*AK THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED. ALL HEATER AND COOLANT HOSES WERE REPLACED. SERPNTINE BELT WAS CRACKED. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #873725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WILL STALL SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, USUALLY STALLS ON HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER 6 TIMES . DEALER CANNOT NOT DETERMINE DEFECT BECAUSE BY TIME VEHICLE ARRIVES AT DEALERS VEHICLE WILL RESTART.*AK THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS REPLACED. ALL HEATER AND COOLANT HOSES WERE REPLACED. SERPNTINE BELT WAS CRACKED. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #873725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maumee, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS

NHTSA complaint #554253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT. Tremper, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR REPAIRED REPEATEDLY FOR A LURCHING/JERKING PROBLEM. MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, NEW CLUTCH, NEW TRANSMISSION, NEW BRAKES, NEW TIRES, IT IS STILL DOING THIS. IF THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET THE CAR TO TEMPORARILY STOP THE JERKING. WE ARE AGAIN, TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. HAVE YOU ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM? IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #725974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Millerstown, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AT 55MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND LOSS STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL IT COOLED. INCIDENT OCCURRED THREE MORE TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #9001385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hartville, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP AND NO STEERING

NHTSA complaint #722686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FRONT LOWER MOTOR MOUNT FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #534684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ludington, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). MJS

NHTSA complaint #548804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Verona, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I GOT AN EMISSION TEST AND A RECALL CAME UP ON THE SCREEN-CAT-REPLACEMENT BULLETIN#93E47 -RECALL. IS THIS TO REPLACE THE CAT.CONVERTERS ? NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS , MY CAR ALMOST FAILED EMISSION TEST SO THEY SAY

NHTSA complaint #720063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Verona, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I GOT AN EMISSION TEST AND A RECALL CAME UP ON THE SCREEN-CAT-REPLACEMENT BULLETIN#93E47 -RECALL. IS THIS TO REPLACE THE CAT.CONVERTERS ? NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS , MY CAR ALMOST FAILED EMISSION TEST SO THEY SAY

NHTSA complaint #720063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 1989 Ford Taurus report