VehicleVerdict

1989 Ford Taurus electrical system problems

The 1989 Ford Taurus has 135 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

135

Electrical System complaints

18%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Taurus electrical system complaints by model year185 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 83 complaints1988: 112 complaints1989: 135 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 55 complaints1992: 80 complaints1993: 185 complaints1994: 94 complaints1995: 106 complaints1996: 64 complaints1997: 74 complaints1998: 38 complaints1999: 63 complaints2000: 70 complaints2001: 41 complaints2002: 48 complaints2003: 102 complaints2004: 31 complaints2005: 30 complaints2006: 30 complaints2007: 34 complaints2008: 19 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 25 complaints2011: 52 complaints2012: 16 complaints2013: 77 complaints2014: 32 complaints2015: 34 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 11 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 1 complaints
Taurus electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

“WENT TO START CAR, PUT KEY IN IGNITION, TURNED KEY, HEARD POP, INSIDE OF CAR FILLED W/SMOKE, FIRE AT STEERING COLUMN, TURNED CAR OFF, TOOK KEY OUT, FIRE STOPPED. *AK AFTER THE INCIDENT, CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28, HOWEVER FORD DENIES THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO RECALL. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 15, 1996 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1989 Ford Taurus have?

NHTSA has 135 complaints about the 1989 Ford Taurus electrical system — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.