Audited US model-year file

1989 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

7 NHTSA recall campaigns

Exact model-level NHTSA results for 1989 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 1991-03-04

SEATS

Campaign 91V036000
Summary

THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Consequence

POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.

Remedy

REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.

03
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.

04
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1992-08-17

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Campaign 92V113000
Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

05
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.

06
NHTSA Recalls · US · received 1997-10-07

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Campaign 97I003000
Summary

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE, FOR ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH FUNCTIONAL CONCERNS.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.

07
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.

02 · Owner allegations

689 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
17
Fire mentions
96
Injuries reported
20
Most-reported component labels
SEAT BELTS142
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM129
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING108
STRUCTURE67
STEERING65
POWER TRAIN56
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. 2551987
  2. 3331988
  3. 6891989
  4. 3811990
  5. 6491991
  6. 6811992

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

17 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.

DP95004
Closed 1995-08-30 · opened 1995-08-08

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

NHTSA source ↗

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · No associated recall campaign number was published in this investigation row.

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.

PE93099
Closed 1994-03-28 · opened 1993-11-30

STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT

NHTSA source ↗

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

PE93065
Closed 1993-11-30 · opened 1993-07-15

UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS

NHTSA source ↗

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

PE93058
Closed 1994-02-16 · opened 1993-06-15

BROKEN TIE RODS

NHTSA source ↗

STEERING · 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.

PE92044
Closed 1992-08-31 · opened 1992-04-27

POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRES

NHTSA source ↗

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

PE92014
Closed 1992-06-25 · opened 1992-02-04

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

NHTSA source ↗

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · 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.

EA91011
Closed 1992-08-13 · opened 1990-12-18

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

NHTSA source ↗

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Associated recall campaign 92V113000.

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.

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
8
Combined economy
18–21 mpg/MPGe
City / highway
16–19 / 23–27 mpg/MPGe
Engine displacement
2.5–3.8 L
Cylinders
4–6
Fuel type
Premium · Regular
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Vehicle class
Midsize Cars · Midsize-Large Station Wagons
Annual fuel-cost estimate
$3100–4200

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

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

exact match

Complaints

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

exact match

ODI investigations

17 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/1989/ford/taurus
NHTSA make ID
460
NHTSA model ID
1782
Match key
1989 · 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.