FaultScore

1991 Ford Taurus electrical problems

54 of the 946 complaints about the 1991 Ford Taurus are about the electrical system — 6% of everything reported for this model year.

D

54

Complaints

0

Crashes

12

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Front Underhood 10 18.5%
Ignition 10 18.5%
Switch 8 14.8%
12V/24V/48V Battery 6 11.1%
Module 5 9.3%
Wiring 3 5.6%
Interior/Under Dash 3 5.6%
Starter Assembly 3 5.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 3 5.6%
Horn 1 1.9%

Electrical System across every Ford Taurus year

1986 20 1.2%
1987 82 4.8%
1988 112 6.6%
1989 135 7.9%
1990 45 2.6%
1991 54 3.2%
1992 76 4.5%
1993 178 10.5%
1994 94 5.5%
1995 104 6.1%
1996 59 3.5%
1997 67 3.9%
1998 35 2.1%
1999 61 3.6%
2000 66 3.9%
2001 38 2.2%
2002 42 2.5%
2003 100 5.9%
2004 26 1.5%
2005 29 1.7%
2006 26 1.5%
2007 31 1.8%
2008 13 0.8%
2010 19 1.1%
2011 48 2.8%
2012 15 0.9%
2013 57 3.3%
2014 29 1.7%
2015 31 1.8%
2017 11 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Lubec, ME

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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.

Makakilo, HI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE IGNITION KEY, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE DOWN TO A LOCAL GARAGE AFTER LOOKING AT THE EXTERIOR OF THE SWITCH THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THE TYPE OF SWITCH WAS A NOTORIOUS HIGH FAILURE ITEM, HE WAS THEN ABLE TO FORCE THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION ,THEN THE KEY WOULD ONLY TURN WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE BUT NOW THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START, THEN AFTER CLEANING THE HOUSING AND REINSERTING THE INGITION KEY THE ENGINE STILL WOULD NOT START AND THE KEY WAS NOT AS FREE AS BEFORE. COMING TO THE POINT OF JUST REPLACING THE SWITCH THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUG HOUSING WAS MELTED AROUND THE PINS A-4/B-4&A-2/B-2 WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOOSE CONNECTION THEREFORE HIGH RESISTANCE COULD CAUSE FUTURE FAILURE OF A NEW SWITCH OR FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #566780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Makakilo, HI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITH THE IGNITION KEY, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE DOWN TO A LOCAL GARAGE AFTER LOOKING AT THE EXTERIOR OF THE SWITCH THE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THE TYPE OF SWITCH WAS A NOTORIOUS HIGH FAILURE ITEM, HE WAS THEN ABLE TO FORCE THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION ,THEN THE KEY WOULD ONLY TURN WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE BUT NOW THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START, THEN AFTER CLEANING THE HOUSING AND REINSERTING THE INGITION KEY THE ENGINE STILL WOULD NOT START AND THE KEY WAS NOT AS FREE AS BEFORE. COMING TO THE POINT OF JUST REPLACING THE SWITCH THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUG HOUSING WAS MELTED AROUND THE PINS A-4/B-4&A-2/B-2 WHICH COULD CAUSE A LOOSE CONNECTION THEREFORE HIGH RESISTANCE COULD CAUSE FUTURE FAILURE OF A NEW SWITCH OR FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *MJ.>*NLM

NHTSA complaint #566780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Thornton, CO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

VEHICLE WAS SITTING A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE CATCHING FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO A FIRE STARTING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SPREADING UNDER THE DASHBOARD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT COTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8010869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salyersville, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE CAR WOULD QUIT AND WOULDN'T START, A WRECKER SERVICE HAULDED IT IN TWICE. I HAD TO LEAVE IT WHERE IT WAS OVERNIGHT TWICE. I HAD IT HAULED TO BROWN'S AUTO IN PAINTSVILLE THE LAST TIME, WHERE IT STAYED FOR 1 MONTH. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CHECK, TOLD ME THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS BAD, I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT FIXED YET BECAUSE FORD ISN'T MAKING PARTS. THIS HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR. I LIVE IN KY. I HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THIS TO LET IT SIT.

NHTSA complaint #753830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Trafford, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I JUST CRANKED IT UP AND SOMETHING POPPED UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN SMOKE CAME GUSHING OUT FROM THE TAIL PIPE. I WAS TOLD IT CRACKED THE BLOCK NOTHING BUT ANTIFREEZE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE 3.8L ENGINES?

NHTSA complaint #744990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Juneau, AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED PLUG WIRES, CAP & ROTOR, FUEL & AIR FILTERS, AND FUEL PUMP. TYPICALLY DOESN'T PRESENT COMPUTER FAILURE CODES. QUITS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IN CITY TRAFFIC, WHEN COLD OR WARM. SOMETIMES RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY, OFTEN WON'T START FOR HOURS, OR UNTIL NEXT DAY. DEALER IS OUT OF SUGGESTIONS, AND I'M AT WIT'S END. VEHICLE UNSAFE/UNUSABLE IN THIS CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #742783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Juneau, AK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CAR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED PLUG WIRES, CAP & ROTOR, FUEL & AIR FILTERS, AND FUEL PUMP. TYPICALLY DOESN'T PRESENT COMPUTER FAILURE CODES. QUITS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IN CITY TRAFFIC, WHEN COLD OR WARM. SOMETIMES RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY, OFTEN WON'T START FOR HOURS, OR UNTIL NEXT DAY. DEALER IS OUT OF SUGGESTIONS, AND I'M AT WIT'S END. VEHICLE UNSAFE/UNUSABLE IN THIS CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #742783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brentwood, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT IS TFI MODULE.

NHTSA complaint #881977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Buffalo, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richfield, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FLAWED IGNITION MODULE (TFI). *MJS

NHTSA complaint #557922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richfield, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING , MOSTLY IN THE SUMMER . MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VECHICLE , CHANGED STARTER, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #873572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livonia, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. WILL START AGAIN WHEN COOLED OFF. DANGEROUS!! CANNOT LOCATE PART ANYWHERE. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOCATE THE PART FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS. WHEN I CALLED A FORD DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME "YOUR SCREWED."

NHTSA complaint #734073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Detroit, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #784670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Troy, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR AND REGULATOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #550008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Troy, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY FAILED AND POSSITIVE BATTERY CABLE SHREDDED AND WORN OUT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #550008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Troy, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

BATTERY FAILED AND POSSITIVE BATTERY CABLE SHREDDED AND WORN OUT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #550008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Troy, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #550008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Poughkeepsie, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #714228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tempe, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, DE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AFTER PARKING THE CAR AND TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING FOR 17 HOURS. THE KEY HAD TO BE PUT BACK INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNED OFF AGAIN. DEALER SAID VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #844942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

W. Jordon, UT Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PARKING LOT CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE . CONSUMER STATED THAT FIRE WAS PUT OUT . PLEASE PROVIE FUTHER INFORMATION .

NHTSA complaint #842185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Essex Junction, VT Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SMOKE AND FIRE STARTED WITHOUT WARNING IN LEFT REAR TIRE AREA AFTER PARKING .

NHTSA complaint #708373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jamaica Estates, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 10-15 MINUTES WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF, WHEN A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE, ,UNDRNEATH THE HOOD. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #841475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fresno, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WIRING HARNESS SHORTED CAUSING BURNED WIRES AND IGNITION SWITCH DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #544930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newfield, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #544586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grass Valley, CA Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE WAS AT REST WITH ENGINE RUNNING WITH AUTOMATIC HEATER/AC SET AT 72F IN OUTSIDE AIR TEMP OF +150F. DRIVER WAS TAKING A NAP IN THE RECLINED DRIVERS SEAT. HE AWOKE AS HE WAS BEING OVERCOME BY HEAVY, ACRID SMOKE IN THE CABIN. HE EXITED THE DRIVERS

NHTSA complaint #702385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hawthorne, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

STARTER MOTOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #604551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, AND COMPUTER SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. IN ADDITION, FLUID FROM THE BATTERY EXPLODED, AND SPLASHED OUT FROM THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #829734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, AND COMPUTER SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. IN ADDITION, FLUID FROM THE BATTERY EXPLODED, AND SPLASHED OUT FROM THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #829734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1991 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 1991 Ford Taurus report