FaultScore

1989 Ford Taurus transmission problems

57 of the 762 complaints about the 1989 Ford Taurus are about the transmission — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 95,000 miles.

B

57

Complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Automatic Transmission 39 68.4%
Manual Transmission 6 10.5%
Axle Assembly 3 5.3%
Constant Velocity Joint 3 5.3%
Torque Converter 1 1.8%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 1 1.8%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) 1 1.8%
Axle Shaft 1 1.8%
Clutch Assembly 1 1.8%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 1 1.8%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Ford Taurus year

1986 23 0.8%
1987 29 1.0%
1988 42 1.4%
1989 57 1.9%
1990 46 1.5%
1991 280 9.3%
1992 115 3.8%
1993 183 6.1%
1994 291 9.7%
1995 418 13.9%
1996 190 6.3%
1997 228 7.6%
1998 71 2.4%
1999 98 3.3%
2000 104 3.4%
2001 61 2.0%
2002 39 1.3%
2003 319 10.6%
2004 74 2.5%
2005 124 4.1%
2006 33 1.1%
2007 18 0.6%
2008 44 1.5%
2010 36 1.2%
2011 18 0.6%
2013 44 1.5%
2014 12 0.4%
2015 18 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 95,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Windsor, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE HAD OIL-LIKE ODOR CAUSED BY THE OVERHEATED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE ALSO LURCHS WHEN IN GEAR AND WHEN STOPPED. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. FINALLY,THE OVERDRIVE MODE FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT,AND THE CONSUMER SAYS IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #561829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, FIRST TIME WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND ONE COST $1800. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #557585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philpsburg, NJ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE JUMPS OUT OF GEAR. MANUIFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #858001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simpsonville, SC

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FORD NEEDS TO FIX THESE TRANSMISSIONS--WE'RE ON OUR FOURTH--THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

NHTSA complaint #716192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kimberly, ID

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN TURNING. NM

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

Oshkosh, WI

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

WORK DONE AT RACETTE FORD IN OSHKOSH, MAINTAINENCE CHARGED FOR SAME WORK 2 AND 3 TIMES. DROVE CAR ONLY 303 MILES AFTER WORK COMPLETED CAR FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION. TRANSMISSION BLEW UP AFTER SERVICE PERFORMED BY DEALER. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER AND DEALER RECIEVED NO SATISFACTION. SMALL CLAIMS COURT FILED CLAIM PENDING ACTION. DEALER MANAGER TODD INFORMED AND STATED THAT " FRONT ROTORS ON CAR ARE NOT A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE STATE OF WI." STATED THAT "WI. ONLY HAS LAW TO SAFETY ON BRAKE PADS NOT ROTORS." TRYING TO CLARIFY IF WI LAW HAS SAFETY ISSUE ON ROTORS. PLEASE RESPOND VIA E MAIL OR US POSTAL. H BOHLMAN ALSO CAR WAS SERVICED BY RACETTE AS PREVIOUSLY STATED AND WORK WAS NOT DONE AS WAS CHARGED FOR. AWAITING HEARING IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT.

NHTSA complaint #706185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Independent, KY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHENEVER VEHICLE ACCELERATES, TRANSMISSION WOULD GRAB. THIS CAUSES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEARS TO NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS AT ALL. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT & NEEDED REPLACING IT.

NHTSA complaint #836173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Windsor, CT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DID NOT KICK INTO GEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED AND EXPLAINED IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW, FORWARD CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHEN TRANSMISSION IS IN UPPER GEAR, A PISTON IS FRACTURED DUE TO POOR DESIGN. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #835113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, OR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. IF THERE WASN'T A 2ND GEAR, IT WOULD SHIFT INTO 3RD INSTEAD. TOOK TO DEALER & SERVICE MANAGER NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. INFORMED OWNER THAT THE LEAK NEEDED REPAIRING & THAT IT WOULD FIXED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #823526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nucla, CO

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TFI MODULE AND AXOD TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #539618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Crivitz, WI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

PISTON INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE, PREVENTING VEHICLE FROM GOING FORWARD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE THEN IN DRIVE TO GO FORWARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, SAID THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY A PARTIALLY BROKEN RING AROUND THE PISTON. *AK

NHTSA complaint #834499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clyde, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ON A REGULAR BASIS, WHEN FIRST SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT. ALSO, AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, OR SLOWING DOWN ENOUGH TO FORCE THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT DOWN TO FIRST GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES OR "STICKS" WHEN CHANGING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #702798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mentone, AL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE MOTOR WAS BOUNCING UP AND TRANMISSION WASN'T PROPERLY MOUNTED AND THE MOTOR WAS PULLING THE TRANMISSION AND MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WITHOUD ANY PRIOR WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #834235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE WIRING IS OVERHEATING AND IS CREATING A FOUL SMELL IN MY CAR AND THE PLUG FOR THE WIRE IS MELTING. WORRIED THAT THIS FAILURE WILL CAUSE A FIRE IN THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT. PROBLEM STARTS WHEN THE HEATER BLOWER IS BEING USED. SAFEGUARD NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PLACE TO ASSURE DRIVERS THAT THEY WILL NOT GO UP IN FLAMES. I ALSO OWN A 87 FORD TAURUS AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ASAP. MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE BAD ON BOTH MY CARS COSTING ME A FEE OF $2600.00. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE YOU GUYS DID NOT PUT A DAM IN THEM THEY OVERHEAT AND AND THINGS START TO BREAK.

NHTSA complaint #702168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grass Vall, CA

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

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

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

East Hampton, NJ

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #537281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Fairhope, AL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED

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

Oreland, PA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AFTER BEING STOPPED IN TRAFFIC EVEN THROUGH FOOT REMAINED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #511100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belle Glad, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #525025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palo Alto, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING INTERMITTENT STALLING. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #513867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AXOD TRANSMISSION FAILURE; ALSO, AXOD-E TRANSAXLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #523939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, OH

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

AXOD TRANSMISSION FAILURE; ALSO, AXOD-E TRANSAXLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #523939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delray BEA, FL

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

C.V. BOOT FAILED TWICE.

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

Vernon, CT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR, RESULTING IN A RAPID DECREASE IN SPEED/STALLING.

NHTSA complaint #523475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, WV

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #518845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 1989 Ford Taurus report