Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1988 vs 1989 FORD TAURUS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 455 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 66.3% more reports in the equal exposure window

1988 332 complaints 1989 552 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1988 share 1989 share Share change
SEAT BELTS 9.3% 23.9% ▲ 14.6 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26.5% 17.9% ▼ 8.6 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 13.9% 11.2% ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.3% 1.5% ▲ 1.2 pts larger share
ENGINE 14.2% 13.0% ▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 2.1% 1.1% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 8.1% 7.4% ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.0% 3.6% ▲ 0.6 pts larger share
TIRES 0.9% 0.5% ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
STEERING 6.0% 5.8% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.6% 3.8% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 1.8% 2.0% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
AIR BAGS not reported 0.2% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE not reported 0.2% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3.0% 2.9% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.2% 1.1% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 84.6% 85.7% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1988 6

Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

1989 7

Campaign components: SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
51 → 83
◆ Injuries
8 → 20