FaultScore

1989 Ford Taurus steering problems

59 of the 762 complaints about the 1989 Ford Taurus are about the steering — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 95,000 miles.

D

59

Complaints

2

Crashes

10

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 12 20.3%
TIE ROD Assembly 11 18.6%
Hose, Piping, AND Connections 10 16.9%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 8 13.6%
Steering 8 13.6%
Linkages 3 5.1%
Rack AND Pinion 2 3.4%
Rack 2 3.4%
Pump 1 1.7%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion) 1 1.7%

Steering across every Ford Taurus year

1987 23 1.6%
1988 27 1.9%
1989 59 4.2%
1990 57 4.1%
1991 83 5.9%
1992 60 4.3%
1993 65 4.6%
1994 34 2.4%
1995 40 2.8%
1996 114 8.1%
1997 61 4.3%
1998 42 3.0%
1999 115 8.2%
2000 29 2.1%
2001 24 1.7%
2002 18 1.3%
2003 12 0.9%
2004 13 0.9%
2008 36 2.6%
2010 41 2.9%
2011 25 1.8%
2012 16 1.1%
2013 296 21.1%
2014 65 4.6%
2015 50 3.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 95,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

STEERING

WE HAVE A 1989 TAURUS W/OD TRANSMISSION THAT SHIFTS HARD AND ROUGH, ALSO THE FRONT AND REAR RATTLES AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALLS FOR THIS ON OUR VEHICLE. THE PAINT IS BLISTERING WITH ORANGE RUST COMING THROUGH, AND THE STEARING (POWER W/TILT) HAS A JERK IN IT. CAN YOU OR WILL YOU HELP ME WITH THESE DEFECTS?

NHTSA complaint #10086192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vacaville, CA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

JIM DANDY TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I HAVE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEARING LEAKING WHERE THERE WAS NO LEAKS AND THE POWER STEARING WORKED FINE BEFORE THEY WORKED ON MY TAURUS THEY ARE LOCATED ON CALLEN STREET IN VACAVILLE CA. PHONE 449-8282. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITIION THAT THE POWER STEARING IS IN NOW. TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION THEY DROP THE FRONT A FRAME MOTER AND ALL SO THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH THE POWER STEERING TO DO THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. IT WAS NOT LEAKING BEFORE WHY DO THEY THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE BACK TO ME LEAKING AND THEY HAVE BEEN PAYED 1,850 CASH FOR THE REPAIR. I DO WISH TO FILL A COMPLANT AGAINST JIM DANDY TRANSMISSION TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED CORRECTLLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP IN THI MATTER OR BE ABLE TO DIRECT ME TO THE PROPER PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #757573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vacaville, CA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

JIM DANDY TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. NOW I HAVE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEARING LEAKING WHERE THERE WAS NO LEAKS AND THE POWER STEARING WORKED FINE BEFORE THEY WORKED ON MY TAURUS THEY ARE LOCATED ON CALLEN STREET IN VACAVILLE CA. PHONE 449-8282. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITIION THAT THE POWER STEARING IS IN NOW. TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION THEY DROP THE FRONT A FRAME MOTER AND ALL SO THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH THE POWER STEERING TO DO THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. IT WAS NOT LEAKING BEFORE WHY DO THEY THINK THEY SHOULD GIVE BACK TO ME LEAKING AND THEY HAVE BEEN PAYED 1,850 CASH FOR THE REPAIR. I DO WISH TO FILL A COMPLANT AGAINST JIM DANDY TRANSMISSION TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED CORRECTLLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP IN THI MATTER OR BE ABLE TO DIRECT ME TO THE PROPER PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #757573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS BAD,WHILE SITTING AT A DAIRY QUEEN ANOTHER FORD TARUS WAGON HAD POWER STEERING PROBLEMS TOO.

NHTSA complaint #751066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawkins, TX

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

PUT A NEW UNIT ON IN SEPT.98 AND NOW AM GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN. FLUID LEAKING OUT. ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I STARTINCG THE CAR THERE IS A STRONG GAS SMELL , BUT IT GOES AWAY IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AND IT SEEMS THE RECALL ITEMS ARE SHOWING UP TOO.

NHTSA complaint #716296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverside, CA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

THE TAURUS IS THE WORST ENGINEERED CAR I HAVE EVER SEEN. - WFS

NHTSA complaint #710070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Campbell, CA Crash

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. AS CONSUMER TURNED TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL, STEERING DID NOT RESPOND, CONSUMER HIT A PARKED CAR. DEALER HS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #839918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kimberly, ID

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

POWER STEERING PERFORMS POORLY/STICKING. NM

NHTSA complaint #545251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI

STEERING

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE. ALSO, VEHICLE IS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS A SQEAKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #835727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hagerstown, MD

STEERING

BODY MOUNTS AT REAR CORNERS OF SUBFRAME WERE CORRODED AND REPAIRED A YEAR AGO, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND BODY MOUNTS WILL BE REPAIRED. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH STEERING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DEALER, BUT DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM. RECALL 93V106000. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #834762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Terra Ceia, FL

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

VIBRATION DUE TO MISALIGNMENT AND FAILED TIE RODS.

NHTSA complaint #534662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Feeding Hills, MA Fire

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK CAUSED AN UNDERHOOD FIRE AFTER IT WAS FIXED FOR THIS PROBLEM ONCE BEFORE. ENGINE FIRE TOTALED CAR. POWER STEERING COLUMN FIRE PROBLEM RESULTED . *AK.

NHTSA complaint #832995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TIE RODS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #507013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grass Vall, CA

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

BRAKES FAILED, 2 OUTER TIE RODS FAILED, OUTER AXLE BOOTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #534986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Willaimsville, NY

STEERING

GENERAL RECALL WAS ORDERED THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL, BUT PROBLEM EXISTS. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #826006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale, AZ Fire

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE EXPLODED. HOSE FAILURE SPRAYED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND IGNITED CAUSING ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. WAS A FORD HOSE THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN 12 HOURS EARLIER.

NHTSA complaint #538764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Archer, FL Fire

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE INTO GAS STATION AND TRYING TO RESTART VEHICLE KEY IN IGNITON MELTED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #824637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA Fire

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

UNDERHOOD FIRE STARTED DUE TO LEAKING POWER STEERING WHICH POURED ON THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

NHTSA complaint #536843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN TRAFFIC LEAVING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE AND OCCUPANTS AND OTHER MOTORISTS AT RISK.

NHTSA complaint #536843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TIE ROD END SHAFT BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #536444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Central City, IA

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

THE INNER TIE RODS BROKE WHILE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. DEALER HAS SEEN AND FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #822822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairhope, AL

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TIE ROD UNSCREWED ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL, CAUSING WHEEL TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE.

NHTSA complaint #534047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oceanside, NY

STEERING

STEERING RACK FAILED

NHTSA complaint #532484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Georgetown, FL

STEERING

POWER STEERING 0-RING LEAKS.

NHTSA complaint #525467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delray BEA, FL

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

RACK AND PINION FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #519477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spring Lake Park, MN

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

DUE TO LOCATION, BOLTS WHICH HOLD STEERING MECHANISM RUSTED/BROKE FROM SALT AND SAND, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #519350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winterville, GA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED DUE TO BEING TOO THIN. IN ADDITION, MOTOR MOUNTS/AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE/ENGINE HEAD GASKET/ALTERNATOR/POWER STEERING HOSE/REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #518196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murphys, CA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS CAUSING FIRE. TRANSMISSION DROPPED AND CONTINUES TO SLIP AFTER REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #521865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winterville, GA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS; ALSO REPLACED FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS/HEAD GASKETS/POWER STEERING HOSE/AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE/ALTERNATOR.

NHTSA complaint #515839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

POWER STEERING HOSES REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #510230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 1989 Ford Taurus report