Model year guide

1991 Ford Taurus

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Ford Taurus is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

1991 Ford Taurus — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 Ford Taurus at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints833
Combined19–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1991 Ford Taurus recalls 5

Structure:frame And Members NHTSA Campaign #98V323000 · manufacturer #98S36 · 16/12/1998

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 S…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #97V025000 · manufacturer #97S65 · 26/02/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDU…

Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Suspension:front:shock Absorber NHTSA Campaign #94E036000 · 25/11/1994

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

Fix: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

Wheels NHTSA Campaign #92V065000 · 11/05/1992

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.

Fix: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor NHTSA Campaign #91V134000 · 06/08/1991

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.

Fix: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1991 Ford Taurus common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 833 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1991 Ford Taurus safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1991 Ford Taurus 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1991 Ford Taurus MPG & running costs

Combined19–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,375
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,875 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1991 Ford Taurus costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,875
Fuel only$16,875
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
188.6–192.1 in
Width
70.9 in
Height
54.7–55.5 in
Wheelbase
105.9 in
Curb weight
2,961–3,252 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Ford Taurus — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 6

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Ford Taurus. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Steering

On certain vehicles located in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador, the lower sub frame mount plate nut may corrode and fail due to exposure to road salt. This could result in loss of structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the sub frame which…

Transport Canada #1998250 · Dec 1998

Engine

DIRECT WATER SPRAY OR LONG TERM WET DRIVING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. UNDER COLD CONDITIONS THIS WATER COULD FREEZE AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVER CONTROL AND CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: MOISTURE WI…

Transport Canada #1997060 · Mar 1997

Structure

On certain vehicles with 3.0 Litre and 3.8 Litre engines, the body mounts on the rear corners of the subframe which supports the engine and transmission may become detached due to corrosion of the rear lower mount retaining plates, allowing the rear corners of the subframe to drop. Should this occur, steering could become very difficult, thereby adversely affecting vehicle cont…

Transport Canada #1992166 · Dec 1992

Lights And Instruments

NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1992077 · Jun 1992

Structure

Note: Station wagon vehicles only. Young children left unattended in the vehicle could lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat (or the underfloor storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with the optional third seat). Once the compartment is closed, it cannot be opened from the inside, and there is the danger of air deprivation, excessive bo…

Transport Canada #1992060 · May 1992

Brakes

THE COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN AND FRACTURE, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE. SUCH A FRACTURE WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING AT THE CORRESPONDING FRONT WHEEL WHICH COULD IN TURN RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CORRECTION: FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WILL BE REPLACED.

Transport Canada #1990193 · Dec 1990

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus is an automobile that was manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company in the United States from 1985 to 2019. From 1985 to 2009, Ford marketed the Taurus alongside its rebadged variant, the Mercury Sable. Four generations of the high-performance version were also manufactured from 1988 to 1999 and 2009 to 2019.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1991 Ford Taurus vehicles on record

Other Ford Taurus model years

1991 Ford Taurus — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Ford Taurus have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1991 Ford Taurus. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Taurus?

Across all 833 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

What is the 1991 Ford Taurus safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1991 Ford Taurus crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1991 Ford Taurus get?

The 1991 Ford Taurus has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.