Complaints
762
Crashes
20
Fires
100
Injuries
23
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1108 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
#255 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Crash-related:1
Fires:25
#350 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members
Avg mileage:124,194 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 108 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 55 | 1 | 25 | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 50 | — | — | 124,194 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 48 | — | 2 | 60,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 39 | 2 | 1 | 95,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 38 | 1 | 19 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 25 | — | 2 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 18 | 6 | — | 85,333 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 12 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 12 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 11 | — | 7 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 11 | — | 1 | 138,500 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 10 | — | 10 | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 10 | — | 5 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 9 | — | — | 200,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 8 | — | 4 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 8 | — | 3 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | 1 | — | 95,000 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 8 | — | 2 | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 5 | — | — | — |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
108
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
55
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
25
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
50
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,194
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
48
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
60,000
Automatic Transmission
39
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
38
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
19
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
18
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,333
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
7
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
138,500
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
10
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
200,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
95,000
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
1989 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1989 Ford Taurus has 762 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly with 108 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly (108 complaints); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (55 complaints); Structure:Frame And Members (50 complaints, avg 124,194 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 100,624 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Ford Taurus include 20 crash-related reports, 100 fire reports, 23 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Ford Taurus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Ford Taurus?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Ford Taurus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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