Audited US model-year file

1986 FORD Taurus

Exact make, model and year evidence from official US sources. Recall campaigns, ODI investigations, complaint allegations and EPA estimates remain separate.

Model-year evidence is not a VIN check.

A campaign may cover only certain production dates, plants or equipment. A zero result here is not safety clearance. Use NHTSA’s official VIN tool for the individual vehicle.

Official VIN lookup ↗

01 · Safety actions first

9 NHTSA recall campaigns

Exact model-level NHTSA results for 1986 FORD Taurus. Campaign records are official safety actions; applicability to a particular car still requires its VIN.

01
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1994-11-25

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

Campaign 94E036000
Summary

THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.

Consequence

OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

02
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1992-05-11

WHEELS

Campaign 92V065000
Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

03
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1998-12-16

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Campaign 98V323000
Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

04
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1993-06-23

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Campaign 93V106000
Summary

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Consequence

IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

05
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1991-08-06

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Campaign 91V134000
Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

06
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1985-12-26

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Campaign 85V172000
Summary

Consequence

IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE KEY REMOVED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NOT IN LOCK POSITION, THE CAR CAN BE EASILY STOLEN. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STOLEN CARS ARE FREQUENTLY INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS.

Remedy

IGNITION LOCK SWITCH CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED.

07
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1987-02-19

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Campaign 87V017000
Summary

ROAD SALT INDUCED EROSION OF THE WIPER MOTOR CONDUCTOR STRIPS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED THERMAL STRESS WITHIN THE GLASS.

Consequence

GLASS COULD FRACTURE WHILE STATION WAGON IS BEING DRIVENOR PARKED, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR SUDDEN DISTRACTION TO THEDRIVER.

Remedy

APPLY SEALANT TO CONDUCTOR STRIPS AND PROTECTIVE TAPE TO LOWER BACKLITES.

08
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1986-03-10

VISIBILITY

Campaign 86V039000
Summary

THE RIGHT QUARTER WINDOWS MAY CONTAIN GLASS WHICH WAS IMPROPERLY TEMPERED. THIS GLASS MAY YIELD PIECES LARGER THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED BY FMVSS 205, GLAZING MATERIAL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THESE LARGE PIECES OF GLASS MAY SERIOUSLY INJURE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR.

Consequence

Remedy

REPLACE THE QUARTER WINDOWS CONTAINING DATE CODE 5 AF.

09
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1987-09-04

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Campaign 87V139000
Summary

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

02 · Owner allegations

145 NHTSA complaints

Counts are not adjusted for sales, vehicle age, mileage, publicity or reporting behavior. They are allegations, not defect findings or a reliability score.

Crash mentions
2
Fire mentions
7
Injuries reported
3
Most-reported component labels
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING26
POWER TRAIN24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
STRUCTURE19
STEERING10
HYDRAULIC8
Complaints across nearby Ford Taurus model years

Totals for the same nameplate, scaled against its highest year here. They are not adjusted for how many were sold, how old they are, how far they are driven, or how much publicity a fault received — an older or better-selling year will usually carry more reports. This shows where the reporting sits, not which year is better.

  1. 1451986
  2. 2551987
  3. 3331988
  4. 5621989
  5. 3811990
  6. 6491991

A dash means NHTSA holds no complaint record for that exact year, make and model. See all Taurus years with specs and fuel economy →

03 · Agency review

22 NHTSA ODI investigations

An investigation means ODI reviewed a possible safety issue for this exact model-year identity. Opening one is not a defect finding; closing one does not by itself clear a vehicle.

RQ97009
Closed 1999-02-16 · opened 1997-08-29

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

NHTSA source ↗

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · Associated recall campaign 93V106000.

PE93100
Closed 1994-06-30 · opened 1993-12-02

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

NHTSA source ↗

SUSPENSION · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA92040
Closed 1993-06-30 · opened 1992-11-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

NHTSA source ↗

STRUCTURE · Associated recall campaign 93V106001.

PE92056
Closed 1992-11-30 · opened 1992-07-01

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

NHTSA source ↗

STRUCTURE · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA91042
Closed 1992-05-21 · opened 1991-10-28

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

NHTSA source ↗

STRUCTURE · Associated recall campaign 92V065000.

PE91128
Closed 1992-01-27 · opened 1991-09-17

FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH

NHTSA source ↗

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE91108
Closed 1991-10-28 · opened 1991-08-01

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

NHTSA source ↗

STRUCTURE · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE91036
Closed 1991-05-22 · opened 1991-01-22

DOOR HANDLES BREAKAGE

NHTSA source ↗

STRUCTURE · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA90045
Closed 1991-09-12 · opened 1990-09-28

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

NHTSA source ↗

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · Associated recall campaign 91V134001.

EA90042
Closed 1991-12-31 · opened 1990-08-31

THROTTLE STICKING

NHTSA source ↗

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE90071
Closed 1990-06-28 · opened 1990-04-02

BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE

NHTSA source ↗

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE90066
Closed 1990-08-31 · opened 1990-03-27

THROTTLE STICKING

NHTSA source ↗

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE90019
Closed 1990-03-27 · opened 1989-11-27

SPEED CONTROL FAILURE

NHTSA source ↗

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA90006
Closed 1991-02-28 · opened 1989-10-31

SAFETY BELT FAILURE

NHTSA source ↗

SEAT BELTS · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE89126
Closed 1989-10-31 · opened 1989-06-01

SAFETY BELT FAILURE

NHTSA source ↗

SEAT BELTS · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA89023
Closed 1990-05-22 · opened 1989-05-25

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

NHTSA source ↗

SEATS · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE89091
Closed 1989-07-13 · opened 1989-02-17

EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION

NHTSA source ↗

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE89006
Closed 1989-06-26 · opened 1988-10-19

HEAD REST DROPS

NHTSA source ↗

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE89007
Closed 1989-05-25 · opened 1988-10-19

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

NHTSA source ↗

SEATS · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

EA88032
Closed 1990-01-12 · opened 1988-04-22

STALLING

NHTSA source ↗

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE88014
Closed 1988-05-26 · opened 1988-01-15

HIGH BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT

NHTSA source ↗

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

PE87030
Closed 1987-08-24 · opened 1987-05-12

STEERING BINDING

NHTSA source ↗

STEERING · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

04 · EPA configurations

Fuel economy & specifications

FuelEconomy.gov records are summarized as ranges where this model name has multiple engines, drivetrains or trims.

EPA configurations
6
Combined economy
19–23 mpg/MPGe
City / highway
16–19 / 23–29 mpg/MPGe
Engine displacement
2.5–3 L
Cylinders
4–6
Fuel type
Regular
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Vehicle class
Midsize Cars · Midsize-Large Station Wagons
Annual fuel-cost estimate
$2800–3400

05 · Evidence strength

Exact identity. Explicit limits.

No opaque score. Evidence strength is expressed through source availability, exact match method, jurisdiction and honest empty states.

exact match

Recall campaigns

9 exact US model-year records in this bounded view.

exact match

Complaints

145 exact US model-year allegations; narratives and VIN fragments are omitted.

exact match

ODI investigations

22 exact US model-year action numbers in the approved import snapshot.

canonical only

Model aliases

Only the exact NHTSA vPIC model name is published; unverified aliases are not merged.

not published

Manufacturer ownership

No rights-reviewed official ownership record is joined to this exact model-year.

PUBLIC EVIDENCE PASSPORT

Identity, freshness and provenance.

The canonical URL is this file’s permanent public identifier. Source IDs and timestamps show exactly what was matched and when; they do not turn the evidence into a verdict.

Permanent public ID
https://modelyearfacts.com/vehicle/1986/ford/taurus
NHTSA make ID
460
NHTSA model ID
1782
Match key
1986 · FORD · Taurus · US
Live evidence requested
EPA publication catalogue
Complaint matrix snapshot
Imported safety snapshot
nhtsa-investigations · exact match

NHTSA ODI investigations

Action number, component, subject and open/close dates from the approved bulk import; long summaries omitted.

Open official source ↗
US-market boundary

Only NHTSA vPIC, NHTSA ODI complaints and investigations, NHTSA recalls and FuelEconomy.gov contribute to this vehicle claim. CPSC equipment notices are searched separately and never joined to vehicle fitment. UK MOT, Canadian, New Zealand and European records are not merged into this US claim.

06 · Research paths

Diagnose first. Confirm fitment.

These are transparent searches, not diagnoses or endorsed parts. Recall remedies come before purchases; exact part fitment requires VIN, trim, powertrain, production date and OE number.

Offers status: held

Awin US and R2 affiliate inventory are not published until a US programme, merchant and exact-fitment projection are approved. No offer currently has both merchant approval and exact vehicle fitment, so commercial links never count as evidence.