There are 17 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 1986 Ford Taurusin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BE DRAINED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY BACKFIRED ALMOST CAUSING A FIRE. TS
WHILE DRIVING STOPPED AND TURNED CAR OFF. ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE WAS UNDER THE DASH, AND IT BURNED THE VISOR AND CARPET. *AK
4TH FAILURE/BURN OF IGNITION BOX IN STEERING COLUMN. NHTSA RECALLED 1988 AND NEWER VEHICLES, BUT THIS IS MY 4TH BURN. FORD REFUSES ASSISTANCE BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT RECALLED, ONLY CARS, AND THIS CAR WAS NOT "INCLUDED" IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL.
ENGINE MADE A LOUD BANG, SMOKE ROLLING OUT OF HOOD CAUGHT FIRE, EVERYTHING MELTED.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE FIRE WENT FROM THE DASH TO UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WLL STALL/HESITATE AND CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, EA88-032.
HORN INOPERATIVE.(1ST VEHICLE ON 601640)
IGNITION SWITCH INTERNAL CONTACTS FAILED, CAUSING OVERHEATING OF SWITCH AND BURNED INSULATION ON WIRING.
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITHIN 20 MINUTES OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIRS SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, BURNING THE WIRES AND THE SWITCH.
THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH BURNED WHILE DRIVING.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. *SD
THE KEYS FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION WITH NO WARNING. TT
IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, WIRING AND PLUG ASSEMBLY MELTED. *AK
INGINTION SWITCH IS BURNED OUT AT 2 CONTACT POINTS AND CONNECTOR SWITCH MELTED, REST OF THE SYSTEM IS DISCOLORED FROM BEING EXPOSED TO EXTREME HEAT. OWNER SUSPECTS THAT A FIRE COULD OCCUR SHORTLY. THS CAR WAS NOT CONSIDERED FOR IGNITION RECALL. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE SHUT DOWN, TRIED TO START AGAIN, SUDDENLY SMOKE SPREAD OUT OF INTERIOR, REPLACED STARTER, NO FIRE. *AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026