1989 FORD TAURUS Structure Problems

WHILE DRIVING MY 1989 FORD TAURUS, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, AND THE CAR BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT NEAR ANY OTHER CARS, AND ONLY 1 BLOCK FROM HOME, SO WITH BRUTE FORCE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO MY DRIVEWAY. INSPECTION FOUND THAT BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUB FRAME THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND SUSPENSION HAD DROPPED DOWN, SEPERATED FROM MAIN CAR CHASSIS. I THOUGHT THIS WAS UNUSUAL, SO I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD ISSUED RECALL NOTICE 98S36 THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR. EVEN THOUGH I NOW LIVE IN TEXAS, I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 1990 IN NEW YORK, AND OWNED SINCE. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN NEW YORK FOR THE 1ST 4 YEARS I OWNED IT. THE RECALL DESCRIBES A SUBFRAME RUST PROBLEM FOR CARS DRIVEN IN STATES THAT USE SALT IN THE ROADS IN WINTER. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER REQUESTING MY CAR BE REPAIRED WITH A KIT OF PARTS THE IS SUPPLIED IN THE 98S36 RECALL. I EVEN OFFERED TO PAY. I WAS TOLD MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST FOR THIS RECALL, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I THEN CALL FORD DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I ARGUED THAT MY CAR HAD THE EXACT FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE LETTER, AND IN SAME CONDITIONS, SO MY CAR MUST BE ON THE LIST. BUT FORD SAID NO, VIN IS NOT ON LIST, AND THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME A TECHICAL REASON FOR THAT POSITION. MY ISSUES ARE; 1. IF FORD MISSED MY CAR IN IN RECALL NOTICE, THERE MUST STILL BE MANY FORD TAURUS'S DRIVING AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT DUE THIS PROBLEM. 2. I WANT THE KIT OF PARTS THE COMES IN THE RECALL TO FIX MY CAR, SINCE THE CAR RUNS FINE AND IS GOOD CONDITION. THE VIN NUMBER OF THIS CAR IS: [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 153,389

WE HAVE A 1989 TAURUS W/OD TRANSMISSION THAT SHIFTS HARD AND ROUGH, ALSO THE FRONT AND REAR RATTLES AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALLS FOR THIS ON OUR VEHICLE. THE PAINT IS BLISTERING WITH ORANGE RUST COMING THROUGH, AND THE STEARING (POWER W/TILT) HAS A JERK IN IT. CAN YOU OR WILL YOU HELP ME WITH THESE DEFECTS?*AK

Mileage: 95,000

THE CHASSIS MOUNTS ON THE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME CORRODED AND BROKE WHICH ALLOWED THE FRAME TO SEPARATE FRONT HE BODY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *MR *CB *NLM

Mileage: 53,000

CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE, HOWEVER IN 1994 THE FRONT SEAT BELT STOPPED WORKING AND THE BELT WOULD NO LONGER SECURE THE SEAT BELT, THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED, SO CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS, CONSUMER RECENTLY RECEIVED RECALL 98V323, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. YH

BOTH REAR MOUNTING BOLTS ON SUBFRAME FAILED AT 15MPH. RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG, I WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE COMPONENTS FAILED. IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE SAFELY. IT WAS AS IF THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. FURTHER CONTACT TO DEALER FOR RECALL ACTION IS FORTHCOMING AS THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION.

CONSUMERS VEHICLE SUFFERED A BROKEN SUB-FRAME MOUNTS WHICH RENDERS THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THERE IS A RECALL ON SUB-FRAME MOUNTS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *JG

CONSUMERS VEHICLE SUFFERED A BROKEN SUB-FRAME MOUNTS WHICH RENDERS THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THERE IS A RECALL ON SUB-FRAME MOUNTS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *JG

A BROKEN SUB-FRAME MOUNTS RENDERED THE STEERING INOPERABLE. NLM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT (98V-323), WHICH CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS, CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH REPAIR INVOICE. *MJS

THESE STRUTS ARE USED ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF MANY MAKES OF MODEL CARS, MY PHYSICIAN SAYS THAT HE SEES MANY INJURIES OF THESE STRUTS FAILING ON HOODS AND TRUNK LIDS. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH BEEN INJURED BY THESE FAILURES

THE RIGHT REAR MOUNTING BOLT ON THE SUBFRAME BROKE OFF WHERE IT SCREWS INTO THE MOUNTING PLATE IN THE BODY. THE STEERING ALIGNMENT AND TIGHTNESS WAS NEGATIVELY EFFECTED.*AK

BOTH REAR DOORS ARE EXTREMELY HARD TO OPEN, FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUT. THE DOORS ARE SO HARD TO OPEN THAT THE HANDLE ON THE LEFT REAR BROKE OFF. MY 10 YEAR OLD HAS TO PUSH ON THE DOOR WITH HER FEET TO GET IT OPEN. MY HUSBAND IS LARGE AND EVEN HE HAS A HARD TIME PULLING THE DOORS OPEN. *AK

TAILGATE AJAR WARNING LAMP STAYED ON EVEN WHEN TAILGATE LOOKED SECURELY CLOSED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED WITHOUT KEY. THE BOLT IN THE VEHICLE BODY THAT THE TAILGATE LATCH LOCKS ONTO HAD SHIFTED POSITION DUE TO A ONE AND A HALF INCH TEAR IN THE BODY SHEET METAL THAT BOLT WAS ATTACHED TO. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE REAR CORNER OF THE SUBFRAME BOLT BROKE, AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *AK

THE REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS PULLED THROUGH, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. ALSO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAS DROPPED. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR A RECALL, AND DEALER ORDERED PARTS FOR THAT PROBLEM AND 4 OTHER RECALLS. CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER NEVER CONTACTED HER BACK WHEN PARTS CAME IN. *AK

SHOULDER BELTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE BROKE. ALSO, RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER'S TIRE KEEPS GOING FLAT, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE FIVE TO SIX TIMES. FINALLY, THERE IS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE WITHIN THE SUBFRAME. *AK

THE TAURUS IS THE WORST ENGINEERED CAR I HAVE EVER SEEN. - WFS

RECALL REPAIR ON FAULTY BODY MOUNTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO DEALER PROBLEM. NLM (98V-323)

CONSUMER RECIEVED RECALL LETTER. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. RECALL NUMBER 98V323000, REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. *AK

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V323000 & CONTACTED AT LEAST 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS. WAS INFORMED BY EACH THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE & COULD NOT SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. *AK

RECALL 98V323000: RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE & NOTIFIED DEALER. WAS INFORMED NO PARTS AVAILABLE & WOULD CALL WHEN THEY ARRIVED. HAS BEEN WAITING OVER 2MONTHS & RECEIVED NO CALL. FINALLY CALLED DEALER & WAS INFORMED PARTS ON BACK ORDER FOR SUBFRAME. NOT SATISFIED WITH ANSWER. *AK

WAS TOLD BY FORD MOTOR CO. AND PARTICIPATING DEALER THAT SUBFRAME RECALL IS NOT WHAT CAUSED THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF SAID VEHICLE, WAS TOLD I AM RESPONISBLE FOR ENTIRE REPAIR BILL. *AK

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V323000 & CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS & HAD REPAIRS DONE. ON THE 2ND DAY AFTER REPAIRS (26 MAR 99), THE SUBFRAME BROKE & DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURER & DEALER WERE NOT PAYING FOR DAMAGE THAT OWNER DECLARES ARE AT FAULT & SHOULD PAY. OWNER FEELS THEY SHOULD SINCE RECALL CAUSED THE PROBLEM ANYWAY. WANTS TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

TURN SIGNALS AND BLOWER MOTOR STOP WORKING. THEN STARTS WORK AGAIN, THEN STOP, THEN START, FUSES ARE OK, POWER WINDOW PASSENGER'S SIDE STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, ALSO, POWER SEAT DOESN'T WORK, INTERMITTENTLY. SEVERAL OTHE R ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE EVIDENT INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED PRIOR TO NOTICE ON THE REAR SUB-FRAME BODY MOUNTS (98S36).

RECALL 98S36. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HAS BEEN 60 DAYS, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE DISMOUNTED FROM ITS FRAME WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION AND INJURY TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

IN HOT WEATHER BLACK GREASE/OIL/RUBBER COMES FROM THE LEFT HAND SIDE ABOVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. LEAKS ONTO THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND THE CARPET BY THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK.ET.

BODY MOUNTS AT REAR CORNERS OF SUBFRAME WERE CORRODED AND REPAIRED A YEAR AGO, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND BODY MOUNTS WILL BE REPAIRED. ALSO, PROBLEMS WITH STEERING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DEALER, BUT DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM. RECALL 93V106000. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNTS HAD CORRODED, CAUSING BOLTS TO BREAK AND DISCONNECT FROM THE ENGINE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

RECALL # 98V323000 ENGINE/ SUBFRAME; WHEN CONTACTING DEALERSHIP CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT RECALL DID NOT COMPLY TO VEHICLE IN THE STATE OF ARIONZA. CONSUMER ALSO TOLD THAT NOTHING WOULD BE REPLACED IF NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. THIS IS NOT WHAT IS STATED IN RECALL NOTICE. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE SUBFRAME MOUNTS ON A FORD TAURUS, MANUFATURER RECALL #98S36/NHTSA #98V323000. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, ONLY ONE MOUNT WAS REPLACED. *AK

IN ANTICIPATION OF THE RECALL TO BE ISSUED THIS MONTH ON THE ENGINE MOUNTS FOR THE FORD TAURUS, I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE (ON 1/7/99) TO ASK ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO MY CAR AFTER THE REAR ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL, AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIRS. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE: REAR CRADLE BUSHING (2) # 5 F1DZ85400396*A AND 5 F3DZ*5400155*A. *AK

RECAL 93V106002. WHEN DRIVING ONTO THE ROAD THE SUBFRAME BODY MOUNTS FELL DUE TO CORROSION PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DROPPED DOWN AND STEERING LOCKED,UP. DEALER CONTACTED, VIN # DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. *AK

WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN BECAUSE OF RECALL 93V106002. WHEN THE SUB-FRAME BOLTS BROKE, THE FRAME BECAME UNATTACHED AND CAUSED THE BODY TO TWIST, NO SUPPORT TO THE FRAME, DEALER CONTACTED AND REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONTACT CONSUMER, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE. *AK

ROOF T-TOP PAINT WEARING EXCESSIVELY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT CORROSION.

DOOR HANDLES OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE HAVE BROKEN OFF.

VEHICLE PAINT IS FADING.

GENERAL RECALL WAS ORDERED THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL, BUT PROBLEM EXISTS. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. *AK

THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME BOLT BROKE.

POOR PAINT QUALITY.

THE REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS HAVE BECOME CORRODED, CAUSING THE RIGHT REAR SUB-FRAME TO DROP, AND CAN'T STEER THE VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL OF CAR, BUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED. RECALL #93V106002. *AK *SLC

FRONT BODY MOUNTS BOLTS FELL OUT OF THE AUTOMOBILE, AND THE FRAME CAME DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER.

THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUB-FRAME DROPPED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS NOT INVOLVED WITH RECALL # 93V-106002. *AK

THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.

BODY MOUNTS/SUBFRAME MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING DIFFICULTY STEERING, NO KNOWLEDGE OF PREVIOUS RECALL NOTICE.

WHILE DRIVING THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNER OF THE SUB-FRAME BACAME DETACHED, CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL . THERE IS A RECALL OUT ON THIS PROBLEM , BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THAT MANUFACTURER. *AK

VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. WHILE THERE, INFORMED VEHICLE UNDER RECALL (#93V106002). DEALER THEN INFORMED OWNER WILL NOT REPAIR VEHICLE'S SUPPORT MOUNTS & TO TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALER. OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

THE SPRINGS IN THE TRUNK LID THAT HOLD IT UP CAME LOOSE AND THE TRUNK LID FELL ON THE OWNER. DEALER SAID THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE WELDED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT IN THE PAST ONE OF THE BARS WOULD COME OUT OF ITS BRACKET, HOWEVER THIS TIME BOTH POPPED OUT AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING THE TRUNK LIK TO HIT HIM IN THE BACK CAUSING MUCH PAIN. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH OUT OF PARKING LOT INTO TRAFFIC, HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND. VEHICLE KEPT GOING IN MIDDLE LANE, BARELY ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE TO GAS STATION. NOT ABLE TO TURN RIGHT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP & INFORMED FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH. *AK

REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE. NLM

WHILE WAITING AT STOP SIGNFRONT SUB-FRAME BUSHINGD BROKE, ALLOWING THE SUB-FRAME TO FALL DOWN AND DISCONNECT THE STEERING COMPONENTS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

COMING FROM SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT ABOUT 20 MPH, WAS MAKING A TURN WHEN A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD, LOST STEERING MOBILITY, WAS A SUBFRAME CONNECTOR THAT BROKE, CALLED DEALER & SERVICE MANAGER NEVER HEARD OF IT. WILL NOT REPAIR, OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK

RECEIVED NOTICE (#93V106002) & HAD IT REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SUBFRAME FELL OUT & LOST STEERING CONTROL 3 YRS LATER. TOOK TO MECHANIC & HAD IT CHECKED. INFORMED THAT MOUNTS HAD CORRODED. *AK

THE SUBFRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BODY A T THE REAR MOUNTS. *AK

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#93V106002): HAD MOUNTS REPAIRED AT DEALER; 3 YRS LATER ENGINE SUBFRAME DROPPED & LOST STEERING CONTROL. TOOK TO MECHANIC & TOLD MOUNTS HAD CORRODED. *AK

BOTH BODY MOUNTS AT REAR SUBFRAME BROKE, BODY MOUNTS WERE REPAIRED/REPLACED UNDER RECALL #93V106002 IN 1994, DEALER WILL REPAIR AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

TWO DOORS LOCKED UP AND WERE UNABLE TO BE USED.

THE STRUCTURE BODY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT, THE FORD MANUFACTURER SAID HE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 93V106000 . *AK CONSUMER STATES REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE SUBFRAME MOUNTING PLATE EXACTLY THE WAY IT IS DESCRIBED IN THE CAMPAIGN # 93V106002, CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP BUT WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY*JB

DRIVING VEHICLE AWAY FROM HOUSE, OWNER MADE RIGHT HAND TURN, VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE, UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE, DRIVER STOPPED VEHICLE, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC, WAS INFORMED THAT K FRAME CORRODED AND BROKE. *AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 2MPH, SUBFRAME MOUNT BROKE AND DROPPED 8", BOLTS PULLED THROUGH, CAUSED ENGINE TO LEAN AGAINST FIREWALL/LOST STEERING CAPABILITY. *AK *JB

OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES INOPERATIVE. *SD

THE SUB FRAME BROKE PURCHASE CAR NEW. TT

A WELD IN THE CROSS MEMBER IN THE FRONT OF THE FRAME FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO DROP. TT

REAR LIFT IS MALFUNCTIONING. TT