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1990 Ford Taurus problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Ford Taurus is engine and cooling. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical Taurus model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
381
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
67
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18-21mpg

The worst 1990 Ford Taurus problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

1 of 3

Engine stalls while driving

Complaints
23
Recall
No
2 of 3

Ball joint or control arm failure

Complaints
18
Recall
No
3 of 3

Fire, smoke or burning smell

Complaints
14
Recall
No

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Ford Taurus

Stalling 23Ball joint 18Fire or smoke 14Seat belt 13Transmission failure 13Wipers 12Power steering loss 11No deployment 10Airbag light 9Sudden acceleration 8Harsh shifting 6Check engine light 5Overheating 5

Recalls 6

Structure: frame and membersReported December 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and transmission, allows the rear corners of the subframe to drop.
Risk
If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.

Recall number 98V323000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: buckle assemblyReported August 17, 1992 · 565,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The rigid mounted safety belt buckles are defective in three ways. First, a fastened safety belt buckle will not unlatch when the release button is depressed. This results from interference between the buckle ejector finger and the buckle tongue window. The second defect is the safety belt buckle may not latch. The third possible defect is that the tongue may be retained by the buckle, but it may not be latched sufficiently to provide occupant protection.
Risk
An insufficiently latched or unlatched safety beltincreases the risk of injury to seat occupants in the event of a sudden stop oraccident. If the safety belt buckle will not unlatch, it will not allow theoccupant to get out of the vehicle in an emergency situation.
Remedy
Ford will replace the rigid mounted safety belt buckles with end release safety belt buckles designed to prevent latch problems.

Recall number 92V113000 · Recall details

WheelsReported May 11, 1992 · 654,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Children can accidentally lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat, or in the storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with an optional third seat. Once the compartment is closed it cannot be opened from the inside.
Risk
There is a danger of air deprivation, hyperthermia,and/or panic response to a child who has locked himself or herself into thecompartment, with the possibility of asphyxiation.
Remedy
Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.

Recall number 92V065000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotorReported August 6, 1991 · 325,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.
Risk
Severely corroded rotors may fracture or separate nearthe inner edges of the brake discs resulting in reduced braking effectiveness,higher than normal pedal efforts, loud grinding noises, and moderate pulls whenthe brakes are applied. Reduced braking effectiveness may increase minimumstopping distances, possibly resulting in an accident.
Remedy
Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.

Recall number 91V134000 · Recall details

Wheels: hubcap/coverReported August 28, 1990 · 1,212 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Wheels may contain cracks that could propogate in raised portion of wheel center.
Risk
Under severe duty, this could result in eventualseparation of wheel rim from center with loss of control and possibly acollision.
Remedy
Replace wheels with wheels of a revised design.

Recall number 90V159000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlights: switchReported October 13, 1989 · 2,900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
An incorrect transistor may cause autolamp system light sensor module malfunction.
Risk
Headlamps could turn off while vehicle is being driven orremain on after vehicle is parked. Loss of headlights while driving at nightcould be hazardous to the driver and other trafific.
Remedy
Replace light sensor modules.

Recall number 89V171000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 1990 Ford Taurus

Defect investigations

Defective air bag crash sensorOpened November 14, 1996, still open

Cfas sent a follow-up letter on december 12, 1996, to change the intent of the petition to airbag aggressivity and deployment variability.the federal safety agency received the letter on 12/12/96; accordingly, the petition due day was changed to april 12, 1997.cfas petitioned the agency to conduct an investigation to determine whether the airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems for the 1991-92 chevrolet corsica/beretta, 1990-92 ford taurus, and 1994-96 chrysler minivans are defective.cfas allege that information on low speed crashes here occupants have suffered fatal injuries suggests [that the above vehicles] have defective airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems.

DP96014

Alleged defective tie rodsOpened August 8, 1995, closed August 30, 1995

Alleged defective tie rods

DP95004

Broken tie rodsOpened February 16, 1994, closed February 27, 1995

There is no summary currently available

EA94008

Polycast road wheel cracksOpened December 2, 1993, closed June 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE93100

Underbody fuel line failsOpened July 15, 1993, closed November 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE93065

Broken tie rodsOpened June 15, 1993, closed February 16, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE93058

Sub-frm/unibody absor.failOpened November 30, 1992, closed June 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

EA92040

Power steering leaks/firesOpened April 27, 1992, closed August 31, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92044

Engine mount failureOpened February 4, 1992, closed June 25, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92014

Storage compar suffocationOpened October 28, 1991, closed May 21, 1992

===

EA91042

Storage compar suffocationOpened August 1, 1991, closed October 28, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE91108

Seat belt buckle failureOpened December 18, 1990, closed August 13, 1992

There is no summary currently available

EA91011

Brake disc hub separationsOpened September 28, 1990, closed September 12, 1991

===

EA90045

Safety belt buckle lockingOpened August 20, 1990, closed December 18, 1990

There is no summary currently available

PE90113

Wheel separationOpened August 2, 1990, closed August 30, 1990

There is no summary currently available

PE90104

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Ford Taurus 67

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 67 bulletins for the 1990 Ford Taurus

1990 Ford Taurus fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylFWD17-1824-2619-21
2.5L 4‑cylFWD182420
3.8L 6‑cylFWD16-1723-2618-20

What 1990 Ford Taurus owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 14, 2009 · Airbags, Body · 70,000 miles · MI

HOW DO I GET FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO HONOR GENUINE the federal safety agency RECALLS ON A 1990 FORD TAURUS WAGON??? IT CURRENTLY HAS COMPLAINT # the federal safety agency 90E043001; the federal safety agency 98V323000; the federal safety agency 93V106002; the federal safety agency 91V34000. I CANNOT GET DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE AIR BAG MODULE DEFECT, SEAT BELT DEFECT OR CPU REPLACEMENT DEFECT. WHAT DO I DO TO GET SOME ACTION ON THESE ISSUES????

Filed Jul 22, 2009 · Body · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford taurus. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise underneath the vehicle. Suddenly, the steering wheel locked up. The driver experienced extreme difficulty steering the vehicle, which resulted in greater effort to turn the steering wheel. The driver pulled into a parking lot and roadside assistance towed the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was inspected by a certified technician, who stated that the failure was contributed to the subframe mount attachments. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 98v323000 (structure:frame and members), although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were unavailable.

Filed Apr 6, 2009 · Airbags · TX · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford taurus. While driving less than 30 MPH, the front driver's side air bag deployed without warning or a crash occurring. The contact sustained injuries to her arms, lacerations on her face and arms, and a large burn on her lip. The manufacturer sent an inspector to investigate the air bag failure. The failure and current mileages were unknown. Updated 5/5/09 *cn updated 05/07/09.

Filed Aug 7, 2008 · Electrical · NJ · fire

I had a loose ignition on my 1990 ford taurus in which I could remove my key while it was still running I had this changed while I was having other work done on the car and less then a week later I had a very expensive paperweight because after they placed a new ignition into my car it caught fire while I was driving it burning out all the wiring and destroying the wires connected to my battery. I towed the car to the ford dealer and I had to lay out even more money for them to tell me there is nothing they can do about it. There have never been any fires or recalls and that was that.

Filed Jul 28, 2006 · Airbags · WA

Check engine lights came on stayed on. Air bag light came on flashes 9 times pauses and then flashes 9 times repeats. Cruise control stops working.

Filed May 31, 2005 · Seat belts · 83,000 miles · FL

The belts were replaced due to recall campaign# 92v113000 at 88k miles. At 120k miles, the driver side latch mechanism became stiff, then the outer sleeve had come apart. The sleeve was placed back into place and the belt was back functioning properly. *ak *sc

Filed Feb 28, 2005 · Acceleration · 110,000 miles · PA · crash

Owner was driving and pulled out of a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH, applied the brakes, and the vehicle continued to accelerate. Owner had to avoid several possible accidents by putting the vehicle in park in order to get the vehicle to stop. However, owner's vehicle did hit another vehicle. Owner contacted the manufacturer, and was informed that there were no recalls relating to this defect.

Filed Jan 4, 2005 · Body · WI

Whole back end of car failed and had to have it all replaced. The bolts broke causing the rest of the back end to totally fail and brake. Had to have it all replaced including the bolts, rear suspension linkage, both shocks, and rear axle. We paid out of our own pocket for this to tune of 800. And now to do all of this the car is now acting like it is either having problems with the fuel system or the replaced catalytic converter is going out.

Filed Sep 24, 2004 · Brakes · 240,000 miles · PA · crash

Vehicle was involved in a collision due to loss of brake fluid from the left front brake valve. Manufacturer was contacted.

Filed Sep 21, 2004 · Seat belts · 72,323 miles · UT

Seat belt would not secure found 8 other recall items from a canadian recall web site that were not on any u.s. Recall sites.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1990 Ford Taurus before you buy

Compare the 1990 Ford Taurus

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1990 Ford Taurus

Is the 1990 Ford Taurus reliable?

Owners have filed 381 complaints about the 1990 Ford Taurus, 1.9 times a typical Taurus model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Ford Taurus?

Engine and cooling, with 78 complaints. Next is body (69).

How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Taurus have?

6 recalls, covering structure, seat belts and wheels.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford Taurus get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Ford Taurus range from 18 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17-18 city and 24-26 highway.

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