86 of the
946 complaints about the 1991 Ford Taurus are about the
braking system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
95,581 miles.
MY 1991 NON SHO FORD TAURUS WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 1 DAY. I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR IN THE EARLY MORNING TO TAKE IT TO WORK. I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT WAS AT THIS MOMENT, THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I ENDED UP GOING IN REVERSE DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT BRAKES AT A VERY RAPID SPEED. I CAME TO A JARRING STOP AFTER I IMPACTED A CAR THAT WAS PARKED ON THE STREET. BRAKES WERE SQUISHY AND NON-FUNCTIONING. THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO STOP BY MECHANICAL MEANS. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 45 MILES AN HOUR. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALED AND IS VISUALLY COMPLETELY WRECKED. I EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH AND IF THE CAR WAS NOT IN THE STREET THAT MORNING, I WOULD HAVE SMASHED INTO A HOUSE, POSSIBLY KILLING SOMEONE OR MYSELF IN THE PROCESS. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED.
NHTSA complaint #10482512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesSanta Monica, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rutherford, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
AFTER THE RECOMMENDED 1 YEAR WAIT FOR WAXING, I DECIDED SINCE THE MILD WASHINGS WERE CONTINUING TO MAKE THE CAR DULLER I WOULD GIVE IT A SHINE. IT WAS BAD ENOUGH THAT PAINT CONTINUED TO COME OFF WHEN DRYING REGULARLY BUT I WAS MORTIFIED WHEN I TESTED AN AREA AND IT LOOKED LIKE WATER COLORS WERE USED AS PAINT. AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, I HAVE CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO LUCK. ON ONE OCCASION A UNDISCLOSED PERSON SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH OR NO CLEAR COAT AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. SO LUCKILY THE STADIUM AUTOMALL IN RUTHERFORD IS DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE I LIVE. THIS IS ALSO WHERE I PURCHASED IT 13 YEARS AGO. THE MAN ADMITTED IT WAS DULL AND A GOOD WAXING PROFESSIONALLY WOULD HELP. I TOLD HIM I WOULD BE TO EMBARASSED BECAUSE THE PAINT COMES OFF EVEN WHEN I DRY IT AFTER A WASHING. HE NEVER CHECKED IF THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT IT.I MUST POINT OUT WE ARE AVID FORD BUYERS AND MY HUSBANDS 10 YEAR OLD TRUCK WAS RE-PAINTED FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER THE RECALLS LISTED IN YOUR WEB PAGE ON MY VEHICLE WERE ONLY ONCE REPORTED TO ME. THAT THE WAS THE CHILD SAFETY CATCH. JUST RECENTLY MY TIE-ROD SNAPPED ON RT.3 IN SECAUCUS, N.J. LUCKILY FOR ME I AM STILL ALIVE TO WRITE TO YOU. P.S. THE OTHER THINGS SUCH AS ROTORS EXCETERA HAVE ALSO BEEN DONE AT MY EXPENSE. MY CAR ONLY JUST CLICKED OVR 89,000 MILES FOR GOODNESS SAKE. THIS IS THE BEST WEBSITE!! EVEN IF NOTHING COMES OUT OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #10073011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lubec, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I CAN'T POSSIBLY REMEMBER THE DATES THESE THINGS HAPPENED. I PUT A NEW (USED) TRANSMISSION AND THIS ONE IS SLIPPING. I PUT MORE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS THAN YOU WOULD USE IN A LIFE TIME. THE SPRINGS ARE WEAK IN THE BACK, BUT TO EXSPENSIVE TO CHANGE. I PUT A NEW FUEL PUMP AND GAS TANK. I'VE PUT A NEW EGR VALVE, OXYGEN SENSOR, THROTTLE SENSOR, AIR TEMP SENSOR. I PUT A BLINKER SWITCH AND NEW STRUTS BECAUSE MINE BROKE. 3 OUT OF 4 OF MY DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE OF THE HANDLES. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE THINGS I WROTE DOWN OR CAN REMEMBER. NOW IT WILL NOT START UNLESS I PUMP THE GAS(IT'S FUEL INJECTED) AND KEEP TURNING IT OVER AND OVER. THEN I'M NOT SURE IF IT WILL START AGAIN WHEN I SHUT IT OFF. THE FUEL PUMP IS WORKING I THINK, I CAN HEAR IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND THE PERSON PUT A 1989 MOTOR INTO A 1991 BODY. THESE THINGS STILL WENT WRONG WITH THE CAR EITHER WAY. I DID NOT CHECK ANY BELOW BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #10071118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockwood, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ROTORS ARE WEARING OUT, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKI
NHTSA complaint #8017217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mansfield, OH
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
WENT TO PEP BOYS OF ONTARIO, OHIO TO HAVE BRAKE WORK DONE. THEY DISCONECTED MY E-BRAKE CABLE AND DID NOT TELL ME, WHEN I NOTICED A CABLE HANGING FROM BOTTOM OF CAR I CALLED AND ASKED ABOUT IT AND THEN THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE E-BRAKE CABLE. I ASKED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND ALL THEY DID WAS TIE IT UP OUT OF SIGHT WITH PLASTIC WIRE TIES. AND WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS OR ANYTHING. HAVE SENT E-MAILS AND TRYED TO SEE MANGER NO LUCK. CAN YOU HELP.
NHTSA complaint #761713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE, CONSUMER HAD ALL NEW BRAKES PUT ON, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT BACK SIDE CALIPER WAS FROZEN SHUT, WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED, BUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE CONTINUED.
NHTSA complaint #563027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE, CONSUMER HAD ALL NEW BRAKES PUT ON, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT BACK SIDE CALIPER WAS FROZEN SHUT, WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED, BUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE CONTINUED.
NHTSA complaint #563027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
TOTAL REPAIRS 3400.00 AT A TIME WHEN MONEY IS VERY SCARCE AS I AM RETIRED AND ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME. I EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN SMALL REPAIRS, BUT WITH TAKING CARE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE LOW MILEAGE, I BELIEVE THE AXELS/ BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION ARE VERY PREMATURE AND MAYBE THE A/C. AT 37168 MILES, THE CAR SHOULD BE RUNNING LIKE NEW.
NHTSA complaint #749067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelph, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE ROTORS WERE SERVICED UNDER RECALL 91V-134 AND SERVICED AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY, WITHIN 90 DAYS OTHER PARTS WERE DAMAGED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Pete Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
RIGHT REAR BRAKE WILL LOCK UP AND OVERHEAT WHEEL, CAUSING TIRE TO HEAT UP. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES FOR LOCKING UP BRAKE PROBLEM, AND BELIEVES IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #880266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES AND BACK BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE FAILED, VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. ROTORS/CALIPERS/ DRUMS SHOE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE. ALSO, RADIATOR/ OIL PAN, AND STEERING POWER ASSIST: HOSE: FLUID WERE LEAKING. AND DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THEM.
NHTSA complaint #878876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
FRONT BRAKES AND BACK BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE FAILED, VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. ROTORS/CALIPERS/ DRUMS SHOE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE. ALSO, RADIATOR/ OIL PAN, AND STEERING POWER ASSIST: HOSE: FLUID WERE LEAKING. AND DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THEM.
NHTSA complaint #878876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Point, IAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE FLEXIBLE BRAKE LINE IN THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL DEVELOPED AN OBSTRUCTION AT THE POINT WHERE AN INTERMEDIATE CLAMP IS INSTALLED TO SECURE IT TO THE STRUT. THIS CAUSED IT TO ACT AS A CHECK VALVE, THEREBY NOT RELEASING THE CALIPER, WHICH CAUSED IT TO OVERHEAT AND SET THE RUBBER COMPONENTS, WHEEL BEARING GREASE, AND PLASTIC HUBCAP ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #722682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St.louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MY COMPRESSER WENT OUT WITHIN A FEW MONTHES OF ME BUYING THE CAR. WHEEL BEARINGS ARE OUT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T QUIT BLINKING THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST $400 TO FIND OUT WHY.ALSO, REAR DEFROSTER NEVER WORKED I HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCKS/STRUTS/ BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS.
NHTSA complaint #720510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wichita, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER WITH TEMPARATURES ABOVE 75 DEGREES, CONSUMER WOULD REMOVE FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND APPLY TO THE GAS PEDAL, HOWEVER VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED HARD, DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, AFTER REPLACING THESE THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY, A DEALER DROVE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT COME UP COMPLETELY BACK TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE, CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP HER LEFT TOE UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS UP. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #855088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia Station, HI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
BRAKES WILL LOCK AT RANDOM (USUALLY WHEN HOT), POWER ASSIT BLEW OUT HIGH PRESSURE LINE CONNECTION
NHTSA complaint #714051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DE Pere, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES REPLACED TWO TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. MJS
NHTSA complaint #513238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beech, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND THE ENGINE WILL LIFT UP AND RUB AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #844642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Orchard, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS AND RETAINED RECEIPTS TO SUBSTANTIATE THIS CLAIM. THE VEHICLE HAS PROVEN TO BE UNRELIABLE AND A RISK TO OPERATE EVEN WHEN MAINTAINED WITHIN MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS. CONSIDERING THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURE WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE HAS NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCES AND OTHER REPORTS IN PRINT ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL, FORD PRODUCED A VEHICLE (THOUSANDS OF THEM) THAT PRESENT AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AND TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THIS VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED AS A 8 PASSENGER FAMILY CAR. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGNIFICANTLY INJURY THE OCCUPANTS DUE TO A MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURE OR COMBINATION OF MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURE MUST BE ABOVE ACCEPTABLE RISK STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE NHTSA. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT ALL OF THE MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT REDUCED SPEEDS AND NOT IN CONJESTED SEATTLE/TACOMA FREEWAY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. THE LAST TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED ONE DAY AFTER MY FAMILY TRAVELED TO SEATTLE TO ENJOY SEAFAIR AND IF IT HAD OCCURRED ON I-5, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY TO MY ENTIRE FAMILY OF 5. AT WHAT POINT DOES THE NHTSA TAKE ACTION AGAINST A MANUFACTURER FOR PRODUCING A VEHICLE THAT IS A KNOWN LEMON THAT HAS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.
NHTSA complaint #709637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newfield, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS WARPED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #544586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newfield, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #544586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Humboldt, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
A LOUD SCRUBBING NOISE HEARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. WHEN DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, PROBLEM OCCURS AT ANY SPEED ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #829587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pineville, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE WILL JERK/VIBRATE AND STALL AND DIE OUT. ALSO, WHEN SLOWING DOWN, VEHICLE WILL JUMP OUT GEAR, AND NOW VEHICLE WON'T MOVE AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #834902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED 3 TIMES AND THEN FINALLY REPLACED, ALL UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION LASTED ABOUT 70000 MILES, AND THEN HAS HAD THE SAME TYPES OF PROBLEMS, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE FRONT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNT BROKE SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUALLY THE TOP BOLT VIBRATES LOOSE. THE MOUNT HAS JUST BEEN REPLACED AGAIN. THE FRONT WHEEL ROTORS CONTINUALLY GO BAD, AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED, ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT ONE.
NHTSA complaint #702889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
I HAVE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHY ALL I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE WAS PROBLEMS TILL THIS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #702618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
I HAVE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHY ALL I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE WAS PROBLEMS TILL THIS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #702618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHY ALL I HAVE HAD WITH MY VEHICLE WAS PROBLEMS TILL THIS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #702618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinitas, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SEEM TO ENGAGE DURING CORNERING TO THE RIGHT WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN (OCCASSIONALLY). THE BRAKE PEDAL THEN VIOLENTLY JERKS YOUR FOOT, HARD ENOUGH TO BRUISE. THE SYSTEM ALSO ENGAGES UPON BRAKE APPLICATION ON WET OR SANDY SURFACE AND VIOLENTLY PUSHES PEDAL UP AGAINST THE FOOT APPLYING THE BRAKE, SOMETIMES BRUISING THE BOTTOME OF THE FOOT. THIS HAS KNOCKED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL UPON OCCASION.
NHTSA complaint #702489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.