Complaints
542
Crashes
32
Fires
29
Injuries
28
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1990 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#164 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members
Avg mileage:94,500 mi
Crash-related:1
#242 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
#329 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:136,000 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1990 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 64 | 1 | — | 94,500 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 42 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 29 | — | 1 | 136,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 26 | — | 6 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 25 | 17 | 1 | 70,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 23 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 18 | — | — | 83,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 16 | 2 | — | 78,500 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 12 | — | 4 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 12 | — | 3 | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | 1 | — | 119,000 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 6 | — | 3 | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 5 | — | — | 210,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 4 | — | — | — |
Structure:Frame And Members
64
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,500
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
42
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
29
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
136,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
25
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
1
Avg Miles
70,000
Unintended Acceleration
23
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,000
Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,500
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,000
Steering:Rack And Pinion
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
210,000
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1990 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
1990 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1990 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1990 Ford Taurus has 542 NHTSA complaints, 32 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structure:Frame And Members with 64 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1990 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Structure:Frame And Members (64 complaints, avg 94,500 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (42 complaints); Automatic Transmission (29 complaints, avg 136,000 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 1990 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 99,964 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1990 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1990 Ford Taurus include 32 crash-related reports, 29 fire reports, 28 injuries, and 0 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 1990 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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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