Ford Taurus 1991 - Service brakes - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Ford Taurus 1991

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
91V134000	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	V (Vehicle)	325000	09/26/1991	ODI	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	08/06/1991	08/07/1991
Defect 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 Summary	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.
Corrective Summary	Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
Notes	System: brakes.vehicle description: passenger vehicles sold or registered in the following states: ct, il, in, me, ma, mi, nh, nj, ny, oh, pa, ri, vt, and wi.

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
985A6	03/18/1998	601004	Some vehicles may cycle when brakes are applied on rough roads or on an incline while making a sharp turn. *yc	12/14/2000
95212	10/01/1995	46478	The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. if petroleum-based grease is used to lubricate any par	04/25/1996
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
985A13	03/18/1998	601012	The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable. *yc	06/17/1998
9562	03/01/1995	39900	Roughness concern during brake application. *tw	11/01/1995
RCL/94E55	03/01/1995	3013100	Unknown	11/01/1995

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DP91013	FORD MOTOR COMPANY	09/24/1991	01/30/1992	ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
	Anti-lock brakes

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
SERVICE BRAKES
09/24/2012	89163	1
	My 1991 non sho ford taurus was parked in the driveway for 1 day. i walked out to my car in the early morning to take it to work. i put the key into the ignition and shifted the car into reverse. it was at this moment, that the car accelerated and i ended up going in reverse down the street without breaks at a very rapid speed. i came to a jarring stop after i impacted a car that was parked on the street. brakes were squishy and non-functioning. the car was unable to stop by mechanical means. the car accelerated to 45 miles an hour. the car is now totaled and is visually completely wrecked. i experienced whiplash and if the car was not in the street that morning, i would have smashed into a house, possibly killing someone or myself in the process. i have photos of the damage if anyone is interested. *tr
09/24/2012	89163
	My 1991 non sho ford taurus was parked in the driveway for 1 day. i walked out to my car in the early morning to take it to work. i put the key into the ignition and shifted the car into reverse. it was at this moment, that the car accelerated and i ended up going in reverse down the street without breaks at a very rapid speed. i came to a jarring stop after i impacted a car that was parked on the street. brakes were squishy and non-functioning. the car was unable to stop by mechanical means. the car accelerated to 45 miles an hour. the car is now totaled and is visually completely wrecked. i experienced whiplash and if the car was not in the street that morning, i would have smashed into a house, possibly killing someone or myself in the process. i have photos of the damage if anyone is interested.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK
10/26/1999		10	02/01/1994
	Brakes will lock at random (usually when hot), power assit blew out high pressure line connection
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
10/15/2003	0
	I can't possibly remember the dates these things happened. i put a new (used) transmission and this one is slipping. i put more brake pads and calipers than you would use in a life time. the springs are weak in the back, but to exspensive to change. i put a new fuel pump and gas tank. i've put a new egr valve, oxygen sensor, throttle sensor, air temp sensor. i put a blinker switch and new struts because mine broke. 3 out of 4 of my doors will not open because of the handles. these are just a few of the things i wrote down or can remember. now it will not start unless i pump the gas(it's fuel injected) and keep turning it over and over. then i'm not sure if it will start again when i shut it off. the fuel pump is working i think, i can hear it. i bought the car used and the person put a 1989 motor into a 1991 body. these things still went wrong with the car either way. i did not check any below because i'm not sure what to check.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
01/01/1997		3	05/01/1991
	Right rear brake will lock up and overheat wheel, causing tire to heat up. ak the consumer had brakes replaced three times for locking up brake problem, and believes it is a safety hazard. yh
08/05/1999
	When applying the brakes brake pedal will go straight to the floorboard, and the engine will lift up and rub against the frame of the body. *ak
08/01/1994
	A loud scrubbing noise heard when brakes are applied. when driving and applying the brakes, extended stopping distance occurs, dealer not aware of the problem, problem occurs at any speed on wet or dry pavements. *ak
03/01/1998			03/01/1998
	I have failed to understand why all i have had with my vehicle was problems till this day. *ak
02/02/1997		5	10/01/1995
	Anti-lock brakes seem to engage during cornering to the right with your foot on the brake to slow down (occassionally). the brake pedal then violently jerks your foot, hard enough to bruise. the system also engages upon brake application on wet or sandy surface and violently pushes pedal up against the foot applying the brake, sometimes bruising the bottome of the foot. this has knocked my foot off the brake pedal upon occasion.
08/05/1996		2	08/21/1991
	Abs brakes overheated after 50miles of driving . consumer took vehicle to brake shop and was advised the brakes were functioning properly but partially melted down, rotors, pads, calipers and calipers pins had to be replaced.*jb

	Abs braking problems. please describe. tt
03/01/1995		1
	Abs brakes failed, causing vehicle to lose control/slide, resulting in an accident.

	When applying the abs anti-lock brake car vibrate . tt
02/15/1995		1
	Abs: brakes slide whenever braking; increased stopping caused accident; hit another vehicle when vehicle in front made a sudden stop. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
		1
	While driving, there was a squeaking noise, consumer had all new brakes put on, and was informed that the right back side caliper was frozen shut, which was then replaced, but the squeaking noise continued.*jb
		1	09/13/1991
	Front brake pads failed. nlm
		2
	Brakes replaced two times due to excessive wear. mjs
		1	10/01/1997
	Brakes failed.
12/14/1998
	While driving at any speed and applying the brakes to stop vehicle will jerk/vibrate and stall and die out. also, when slowing down, vehicle will jump out gear, and now vehicle won't move at all. *ak
03/01/1992		3	07/01/1991
	Brakes failed, resulting in lock up.
		1	11/01/1991
	Brake boots failing.
03/21/1995		1
	Brakes failed.
		1
	The motor mount broke, when applied the brake it makes noise and the transmission was replaced the air conditioner stopped working . tt *jb

	The motor mount broke, when applied the brake it makes noise and the transmission was replaced the air conditioner stopped working . tt

	Brakes sticks and buy brakes every other month. tt
07/01/1993		1
	Noisy brakes, replaced.

	While driving, suddenly engine surged, when pedal went to floor, then throttle stuck wide open at 90-100mph, brakes seemed ineffective in stopping vehicle. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
06/29/2001			07/01/1991
	Total repairs 3400.00 at a time when money is very scarce as i am retired and on a very limited income. i expected to maintain small repairs, but with taking care of the vehicle and the low mileage, i believe the axels/ brakes and transmission are very premature and maybe the a/c. at 37168 miles, the car should be running like new.*ak
01/08/2001		0
	Front brakes and back brakes; when applying brakes, the failed, vehicle didn't stop. rotors/calipers/ drums shoe pads were defective. also, radiator/ oil pan, and steering power assist: hose: fluid were leaking. and dealership had to replace them. *ak
06/08/1998			03/01/1998
	My compresser went out within a few monthes of me buying the car. wheel bearings are out, and airbag light won't quit blinking the dealer said it would cost $400 to find out why.also, rear defroster never worked i have replaced the shocks/struts/ brake rotors and pads. *ak
05/25/1995		1	04/01/1992
	I have always maintained this vehicle in accordance with manufacturers specifications and retained receipts to substantiate this claim. the vehicle has proven to be unreliable and a risk to operate even when maintained within manufacturers specifications. considering the scope and frequency of major component failure with this vehicle, the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule has no relationship to the subject vehicles operational characteristics. based on my experiences and other reports in print on this particular make and model, ford produced a vehicle (thousands of them) that present an obvious safety hazard to the occupants of the vehicle and to the general public. this vehicle was designed as a 8 passenger family car. the opportunity to significantly injury the occupants due to a major component failure or combination of major component failure must be above acceptable risk standards established by the nhtsa. i have been fortunate that all of the major component failures have occurred at reduced speeds and not in conjested seattle/tacoma freeway traffic situations. the last transmission failure occurred one day after my family traveled to seattle to enjoy seafair and if it had occurred on i-5, it could have resulted in serious injury to my entire family of 5. at what point does the nhtsa take action against a manufacturer for producing a vehicle that is a known lemon that has serious safety concerns.
08/05/1996		2	08/21/1991
	Abs brakes overheated after 50miles of driving . consumer took vehicle to brake shop and was advised the brakes were functioning properly but partially melted down, rotors, pads, calipers and calipers pins had to be replaced.*jb
11/30/1992		0
	Front brakes failed twice.
04/28/1993		8
	Disc brakes failed.
09/01/1993
	Front disc brake vibrates out of round, replaced disc twice. tt
10/01/1992		1
	Premature failure of front brakes. *aw
06/14/1995
	When brakes are applied, left front tire bounces. tt
04/29/1994		1
	The rear disc rotor and caliper, pads had to be replace, causing gringing noise when applied. tt
04/29/1995		1
	Rear disc brakes have rusted with less thsn 27,000 miles on it. tt
08/12/1993		1
	Front brake rotors/pads failed, causing vehicle to squeak when brakes applied.
12/01/1994		1
	Disc brakes are being corroded by road salt. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
06/01/1994		3	12/01/1990
	Both front brake calipers froze.
		1
	Front calipers locked up. *sd
11/19/1993
	Erratic wapring of front brake calipers, causing vehicle to surge. *ak
12/05/1994		5
	Calipers rebuilt twice.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
		1	01/01/1991
	Brake pads failed.

	The front brake wear out rotor and pads. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
06/15/1992		2	10/15/1990
	After the recommended 1 year wait for waxing, i decided since the mild washings were continuing to make the car duller i would give it a shine. it was bad enough that paint continued to come off when drying regularly but i was mortified when i tested an area and it looked like water colors were used as paint. after all these years, i have called ford several times with no luck. on one occasion a undisclosed person said it sounded like there was not enough or no clear coat and i should take it to where i purchased it and have them look at it. so luckily the stadium automall in rutherford is directly across the street from where i live. this is also where i purchased it 13 years ago. the man admitted it was dull and a good waxing professionally would help. i told him i would be to embarassed because the paint comes off even when i dry it after a washing. he never checked if they were having problems and told me there was nothing they would do about it.i must point out we are avid ford buyers and my husbands 10 year old truck was re-painted from the same problem. also as the original owner the recalls listed in your web page on my vehicle were only once reported to me. that the was the child safety catch. just recently my tie-rod snapped on rt.3 in secaucus, n.j. luckily for me i am still alive to write to you. p.s. the other things such as rotors excetera have also been done at my expense. my car only just clicked ovr 89,000 miles for goodness sake. this is the best website!! even if nothing comes out of it.*ak
08/17/2002
	While driving at any speed rotors are wearing out, and causing vehicle to vibrate. dealer notified.*aki
		1
	The rotors were serviced under recall 91v-134 and serviced again under warranty, within 90 days other parts were damaged. nlm
		1	10/01/1997
	Rotors warped causing vehicle to shake when braking.
06/12/1993		3	01/01/1993
	Original transmission was fixed 3 times and then finally replaced, all under warranty. the replacement transmission lasted about 70000 miles, and then has had the same types of problems, and has been replaced. the front right motor mount broke several times and continually the top bolt vibrates loose. the mount has just been replaced again. the front wheel rotors continually go bad, and have to be replaced, especially the right one. *ak
01/16/1993		1	01/01/1992
	Brake problem was brought to dealers attentions 3 times, finally the third time they told me the rotors needed to be replaced, but my car was supposedly not part of the recalled vehicles with rotor problems. i have learned that since my vehicle was purchased * registered in mail, it was part of the recall. i would like the dealer to refund what i paid for rotor replacement by their service department. *ak
09/25/1996		3
	Had taken vehicle to dealer. was informed that motor mounts were cracked & broken & needed replacing. motor mounts need replacing again for same problem. had to replace axles, front disc brakes rotors & cv boots. replaced also, according to mechanic.
06/12/1998		1	05/13/1993
	The entire rotor detached from the steel hub at the attachment point. subsequent inspection of the second rotor revealed the that it to was failing.
03/22/1994		1
	Brake rotors failed.
05/01/1996		3
	Brakes shudder due to warped front brake rotors. *ak
06/25/1996
	Front brake rotor rusted away from the hub. *ak
05/01/1996		1
	Warped front brake rotors, causing brakes to shudder/vibrate. *ak
11/11/1995		1
	Front disc brakes wore into the rotors.
07/24/1995		4
	Brake rotors replaced/turned 5 times due to continuous braking problems/vibrations.
07/30/1995		0
	Brake rotor separated from left rear wheel, resulting in a scraping noise prior to recall (91v-134). *ak
10/27/1995
	Front disc rotors have been replaced three times after 44k miles. tt
09/20/1995
	Front rotors are warping, last set lasted only 2k miles. tt
02/21/1995		1
	Front rotors warped, also front pads cracked, causing brakes to pulsate when depressed.

	The front brake wear out rotor and pads. tt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
03/01/1998			03/01/1998
	I have failed to understand why all i have had with my vehicle was problems till this day. *ak
09/09/1998
	Rear brakes self adjustment mechanism failed to work properly; dealer notified.*ak
08/08/1996
	While driving 55-60 mph, the brake pedal goes down without application, and the vehicle lurches forward. brake application is required after coming to a complete stop to rectify problem. *ak
10/16/1996		1	06/01/1993
	Rear brake adjusters failed, causing accident.
12/20/1994		1
	Left rear brake hold-down pin corroded/broke, resulting in premature wear of brakes. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - DRUM
01/08/2001		0
	Front brakes and back brakes; when applying brakes, the failed, vehicle didn't stop. rotors/calipers/ drums shoe pads were defective. also, radiator/ oil pan, and steering power assist: hose: fluid were leaking. and dealership had to replace them. *ak
09/09/1998
	Rear drums are out of round for unknown reason. dealer notified.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
05/11/2000		1	11/01/1999
	The flexible brake line in the right rear fender well developed an obstruction at the point where an intermediate clamp is installed to secure it to the strut. this caused it to act as a check valve, thereby not releasing the caliper, which caused it to overheat and set the rubber components, wheel bearing grease, and plastic hubcap on fire. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
03/01/1998			03/01/1998
	I have failed to understand why all i have had with my vehicle was problems till this day. *ak
05/01/1996		6	08/01/1991
	When driving the brakes suddenly self activated for periods of a few to several minutes.
09/03/1996		1	01/20/1992
	Antilock brake pedal not completely returning, replaced master cylinder/power brake booster.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES
12/29/2003	102000	4	09/10/1999
	My ford taurus 1991 station wagon lunged forward uncontrollably after backing up, braking, then starting to go forward. it went against a wall, the brake didn't work, the front of the car was crashed, i had to put it into park to stop it. please let me know if any other car same make and model has had the same problem. my mechanic tested it and it did this another 3 times.*ak
05/01/1997		3	03/01/1992
	While driving in warm weather with temparatures above 75 degrees, consumer would remove foot from the brake pedal and apply to the gas pedal, however vehicle would not move unless the gas pedal was pushed hard, dealer thought the problem to be a faulty sensor assembly and defective fuel pump, after replacing these the problem did not go away, a dealer drove vehicle and noticed the brake pedal would not come up completely back to where it should be, consumer has to keep her left toe under the brake pedal to make sure it stays up. *slc
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - HYDRAULIC
09/01/1993		1
	Brake booster failed, causing caliper/rotor failures, also brakes fail to release. *skd
01/12/1994		2
	Power brake booster replaced.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM
06/01/1996		1	06/18/1993
	Brake booster failed.
07/01/1993		1	01/01/1991
	Brake pedal sticks and will not release due to failure of the brake booster.
01/15/1997		4
	Driving, start to apply brakes, pedal would stick; would occur at various speeds; have to manually pull pedal up. now going all the way to floor; brakes don't work & then would kick back up; brakes working. taken to mechanic & had checked out & told not abs malfunctioned, but brake booster. *ak
09/03/1996		1	01/20/1992
	Antilock brake pedal not completely returning, replaced master cylinder/power brake booster.
12/05/1994		5
	Brake power booster failed.