1987 FORD TAURUS Recalls, Complaints & Safety

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

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

2,697,000 vehicles affected

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

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

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

98,000 vehicles affected

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

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 THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

1,610,000 vehicles affected

WHEELS

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.

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.

654,000 vehicles affected

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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.

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

325,000 vehicles affected

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

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

3,600,000 vehicles affected

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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

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

28,000 vehicles affected

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

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 PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: REPLACE REAR SPINDLE.

631 vehicles affected

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

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 AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY, AS NECESSARY.

4,714 vehicles affected

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

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 BRAKE WAS PULLED SO HARD THAT SOMETHING BROKE AND STARTED LEAKING. THE CONTACT PULLED IT OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT INTO PARK, AND THE CAR WAS STILL GOING. THE CONTACT MADE IT TO A GAS STATION AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STALL THE CAR. THE CAR WAS LEFT AT THE GAS STATION AND LEFT FOR SOMEONE TO BRING THE CAR HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT HE WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT MAY TAKE OFF WITH HIM. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY COULD DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE. THE CONTACT CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE ALL THE TESTING DONE . FORD HAS BEEN CALLED, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY FREE REMEDY TO OFFER. THE DRIVER WAS EXTREMELY SCARED AND HAS SUFFERED HEART PROBLEMS SINCE THE INCIDENT.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

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. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. *JB

Crash 1 injured

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 TIME AS WELL. THIS IS A CHRONIC FAILURE. ANY TSB'S OR RECALLS ON THIS MATTER? RELATED PROBLEM: EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW ON ALTERNATOR OUTPUT WIRE TO STARTER SOLENOID (BATTERY) CAUSING WIRE TO RUN HOT (WITH ALTERNATOR TURNING). THIS HAS RESULTED IN FUSIBLE LINK G BLOWING OPEN TWICE.

Crash

I WAS DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIP AND THEN WENT OUT AND NOW CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT. *NLM

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

REPLY TO REQUEST FOR A LIST OF RECALLS THAT AFFECT 1987 FORD TAURUS AND 1993 MERCURY SABLE VEHICLES. SENT SUMMARY LISTING OF RECALLS TO CONSUMER AND REFERRED CONSUMER TO NPO-230 FOR CONSUMER COMPLAINT LISTINGS. 1993 MERCURY SABLE/VIN#LMEL5549PG610694.*SCC *JB

THE VEHICLE STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHEN ON WARM TRIPS LONGER THAN A MILE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED THE IGNITION SYSTEM COMPONENT, TFI-IV MODULE KNOWING THAT IT COULD FAIL WHEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. *YH

WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE SHUTSDOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS NOW HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE FUEL LINE INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL COMPONETS INCLUDING THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS REPLACED. *MJ

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING UNDERNEATH DASH AROUND IGNITION. VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER. HAD TOWED. REPLACED LINKS IN IGNITION. PROBLEM RECURRED AGAIN . DEALER CONTACTED

Fire

WHILE DRIVING FAN DOES NOT COME ON. VEHICLE STARTS TO OVERHEAT. HAS TO CONTINUOUSLY PUT ANTI- FREEZE IN THE VEHICLE EVERY 15 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

TFI MODULE WENT OUT AND COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND TOWING SERVICE AND RUINED MY BIRTHDAY PARTY AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET ALL MY MONEY BACK I PAID THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN LOS BANOS WHERE THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE BE CAUSE I WAS A WOMEN AND THEY NEW ALL THE TIME THERE WAS A BAD TFI MODULE RECALL THEY SAID THE JUDGE WAS OUT OF THEIR JURIDICTION. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT. *AK

SEAT BELTS CAME APART AND FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SIDE.

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, AND IGNITION MODULE HAD FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

EXPECTED ENGINE LIFE IN MILES, EXPECTED TRANSMISION LIFE IN MILES. *AK

Crash 1 injured

EXPECTED ENGINE LIFE IN MILES, EXPECTED TRANSMISION LIFE IN MILES. *AK

Crash 1 injured

AFTER DRIVING FOR A MILE, PARKED VEHICLE AND MINUTES LATER FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DEALER NOR FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD DETERMINE WHAT WAS THE CAUSE FIRE.*AK POSSIBLE EINGINE FAILURE. *SLC

Fire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF A MALL IN A PARKING LOT. CONSUMER DIDN'T TURN VEHICLE ON, AND THERE WERE FLAMES AND SPARKS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. VEHICLE BURNED DOWN TO THE GROUND. *AK

Fire

HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE HAZY, DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT EVEN WITH HIGH BEAMS; INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES KEEP BREAKING, EXTERIOR HANDLE BROKE ONCE; HEADREST WON'T STAY UP.*AK

ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER'S SHOP, AND PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS, THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT ON INTERNET THE TFI MODULE ON FORD TAURUS WAS ON RECALL. THE DEALER HAD NEVER TOLD THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE COURT JUDGE HAD NO RIGHT TO RECALL THESE CARS. *YH

REAR RESTRAINT BUCKLE SEPARATED, CAUSING OCCUPANT TO BE UNRESTRAINED. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

AT 50,000 MILES HEADLIGHT LENS COMMENCED TO FOG UP AND AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND STILL UNWILLING TO HELP. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

WHEN FOOT IS PUT ON GAS PEDAL ENGINE RISES UP. DLR SAID IT NEEDED MOTOR MOUNTS.*AK

VEHICLE HAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INTERMITTENTLY,GAS PEDAL WILL DROP TO FLOOR. CONSUMER MUST KICK GAS PEDAL TO DISENGAGE IT. IT FEELS LIKE CRUISE CONTROL IS TAKING OVER. *AK THE PROBLELM OCCURED AGAIN BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. *YH

VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S HOUSE AND NOTICED THAT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIM. KELLY SPRINGFIELD, AQUA TUR TIRE, P205/70/R14, DOT#PJKEF8KR435. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT 4 TIRES HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS, 2 OF THE TIRES WERE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL . *AK THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE THE IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. *YH

IGNITION MODULE FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SLC

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME VEHICLE WAS STALLING. A MECHANIC COULD NEVER FIND A CAUSE UNTIL VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT TO BE IGNITION MODULE. PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE. GAS HAND NOT WORKING. RACK AND PINION BROKE UP. SEAT BELTS FELL APART.

LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT RESULTING IN VEHICLE DAMAGE.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) YH

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL LETTER98V323000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S36 FOR THE SUBFRAME REAR PLATE NUT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND REFUSED TO DO THE WORK. MANUFACTURER ALSO HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING IS VERY HARD TO STEER AND THE VEHICLE IS STUCK IN LOW GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE SLOWLY AT 8 MPH AND LOSE ALL POWER/VEHICLE DIED. *AK

AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED FOR SUBFRAME CORROSION, THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE BECAME WORSE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING FREEON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THE CAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. *AK

VEHICLE FAILS TO START WHEN IGNITION IS ENGAGED. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. BEEN TO DEALER, 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC COULD BE A COMPUTER GROUND WIRE. COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER BEING APPLIED. WHEN WAITING AT STOP LIGHT & WOULD START TO GO, VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT FOR NO REASON. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY WORK WHEN IN USE. WOULD CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER AT TIME OF NEED.

THERE ARE CREASES IN EACH OF MY TWO FRONT TIRES. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE NORMAL, BUT I'M NOT CONVINCED THEY REALLY ARE NORMAL. IS THIS NORMAL? IS THERE ANY WAY TO VERIFY IF THESE TIRES ARE SAFE? ARE THERE MANUFACTURING STANDARDS WHICH RELATE TO THESE CREASES?( DOT NUMBER: ACT9 TIRE SIZE: 205/70R14 )

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT SPEEDS OF 20MPH AND LESS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACE AIR BYPASS VALVE GASKET, AND THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK