RecallRepo

1987 Ford Taurus Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1987 Ford Taurus has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,919,345 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 355 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 98V323000 1998-12-16 2,697,000 affected
Defect

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,…

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.

STRUCTURE 93V106000 1993-06-23 1,610,000 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE,…

Consequence

IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN…

Remedy

INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

WHEELS 92V065000 1992-05-11 654,000 affected
Defect

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 91V134000 1991-08-06 325,000 affected
Defect

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…

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 87V139000 1987-09-04 3,600,000 affected
Defect

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

VISIBILITY 87V017000 1987-02-19 28,000 affected
Defect

ROAD SALT INDUCED EROSION OF THE WIPER MOTOR CONDUCTOR STRIPS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED THERMAL STRESS WITHIN THE GLASS.

Consequence

GLASS COULD FRACTURE WHILE STATION WAGON IS BEING DRIVENOR PARKED, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR SUDDEN DISTRACTION TO THEDRIVER.

Remedy

APPLY SEALANT TO CONDUCTOR STRIPS AND PROTECTIVE TAPE TO LOWER BACKLITES.

SUSPENSION 86V148000 1986-11-07 631 affected
Defect

LEFT AND/OR RIGHT REAR SPINDLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF SPINDLE STEM SEPARATES, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR WITHOUT…

Remedy

REPLACE REAR SPINDLE.

STEERING 86V144000 1986-10-28 4,714 affected
Defect

STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLIES CONTAIN LOWER SHAFTS OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH FOR PROPER ATTACHMENT TO THE SHAFT INSULATOR FLANGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SHAFT COULD SEPARATE, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL…

Remedy

REPLACE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY, AS NECESSARY.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
30
14fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
23
1crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
20
1crashes8fires2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
17
6fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
14
1crashes
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
12
1crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12
3crashes1fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
11
11fires
SEATS
10
1injuries
Total complaints355

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“1987 ford taurus. Consumer states sub frame both left side and right side of the front end broke off while driving *tgw the dealer informed the consumer his model year had been recalled for the exact problem he experienced. Ford motor co. Stated they would assume no responsibility. *jb”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2011-10-01

“Dt: the contact states that the 1987 ford taurus station wagon experienced a very violent acceleration. While driving along at 30 mph the vehicle raced. The contact then put foot on the brake and the car skidded and the car would not stop, and began going faster. The hand brake was pulled. The…”

PARKING BRAKE · reported 2005-10-09

“Dt: the contact states that the 1987 ford taurus station wagon experienced a very violent acceleration. While driving along at 30 mph the vehicle raced. The contact then put foot on the brake and the car skidded and the car would not stop, and began going faster. The hand brake was pulled. The…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2005-10-09

“Due to a known defect and failure of the seat belt of my 1987 ford taurus, I went head first into the windshield, my knees hit the dashboard, and I suffered injuries. It would be a simple fix for ford to correct the known defect in this vehicle. The manufacturer did nothing to protect the public.…”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · reported 2004-11-02

“Failure of ignition switch and plug assembly due to overheating. Switch melted and so did plug assembly. This same repair was previously done at approximately 100,000 miles. When vehicle was purchased at appoximately 87,000 miles, it was observed that this repair had been done previous to that…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2003-08-15

“I am driving and my car stops running. It just dies, I put it in park and it starts again. This is dangerous especially when I am in heavy traffic.*jb”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 2003-03-06

“While driving 30 mph vehicle stalled. Towed to repair shop, and ignition module had failed, and needed to be replaced.*ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · reported 2001-08-08

“Seat belts came apart and failed to restrain driver and passengers side.”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · reported 2001-08-03

Defect investigations

Investigation DP95004 Opened 1995-08-08 · closed 1995-08-30

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

Investigation EA88032 Opened 1988-04-22 · closed 1990-01-12

STALLING

===

Investigation EA89023 Opened 1989-05-25 · closed 1990-05-22

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

SUMMARY:THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL APPEARS TO BE THE POTENTIALCONSEQUENCE OF A SEAT BRACKET FAILURE.===

Investigation EA90005 Opened 1989-10-31 · closed 1991-03-12

POWER SEAT MALFUNC/FIRE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA90006 Opened 1989-10-31 · closed 1991-02-28

SAFETY BELT FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA90042 Opened 1990-08-31 · closed 1991-12-31

THROTTLE STICKING

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA90045 Opened 1990-09-28 · closed 1991-09-12

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

===

Investigation EA90045 Opened 1990-09-28 · closed 1991-09-12

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

===

Investigation EA91042 Opened 1991-10-28 · closed 1992-05-21

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

===

Investigation EA92040 Opened 1992-11-30 · closed 1993-06-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA92040 Opened 1992-11-30 · closed 1993-06-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA94008 Opened 1994-02-16 · closed 1995-02-27

BROKEN TIE RODS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE88014 Opened 1988-01-15 · closed 1988-05-26

HIGH BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT

===

Investigation PE89006 Opened 1988-10-19 · closed 1989-06-26

HEAD REST DROPS

===

Investigation PE89007 Opened 1988-10-19 · closed 1989-05-25

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

BRIEFING NOTES ODISCUSSION OF THE REPORTED DEFECT & ITS CONSEQUENCES OFAILURE MILEAGE ANALYSIS OWARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS OFORD'S BODY & CHASSIS ENGINEERING REPORT OCOMPARISON WITH OTHER SEAT-TRACK ANALYSES===

Investigation PE89091 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-13

EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION

SUMMARY: OWNERS COMPLAIN OF EXHAUST GASES, INCLUDING HYDROGEN SULFIDE,LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING NAUSEA, HEADACHES, ANDDISCOMFORT.HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) IS A COLORLESS, FLAMMABLE, ANDVERY POISONOUS GAS.===

Investigation PE89125 Opened 1989-06-01 · closed 1989-10-31

PWR SEAT MALFUNC - FIRE

===

Investigation PE89126 Opened 1989-06-01 · closed 1989-10-31

SAFETY BELT FAILURE

===

Investigation PE90019 Opened 1989-11-27 · closed 1990-03-27

SPEED CONTROL FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE90066 Opened 1990-03-27 · closed 1990-08-31

THROTTLE STICKING

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE90071 Opened 1990-04-02 · closed 1990-06-28

BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91036 Opened 1991-01-22 · closed 1991-05-22

DOOR HANDLES BREAKAGE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91108 Opened 1991-08-01 · closed 1991-10-28

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91128 Opened 1991-09-17 · closed 1992-01-27

FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE92056 Opened 1992-07-01 · closed 1992-11-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE93058 Opened 1993-06-15 · closed 1994-02-16

BROKEN TIE RODS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE93100 Opened 1993-12-02 · closed 1994-06-30

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation RQ97009 Opened 1997-08-29 · closed 1999-02-16

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE

Investigation RQ97009 Opened 1997-08-29 · closed 1999-02-16

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Ford Taurus as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.