Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus equipped with Goodyear Eagle ls tires, size: p225/60r16. The contact stated that all the tires experienced cracks and leaks. The dealer found no failure with the tires. The tires were not replaced. The tires were replacement tires. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The contact stated that the same failure occurred with the Goodyear tires on his 2000 Mercury grand marquis. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 152,000 and the tire failure mileage was 20,000. The dot number and VIN were unknown.
I was travelling south on I-15 at 11:00 at night going down from the el cajon summit when I thought there was a strange wobbling every time I used the brakes. I heard a terrible thud and thought I saw a piece of tire fly by the passenger side. I pulled to the shoulder and looked at all the tires, but they were all still inflated so I started the car again and eased down the shoulder, but the noise was still there. Upon closer examination of the tires, I found that the tread separated completely from the tire, causing extensive damage to the wheel well. It also caused a vacuum hose to come apart from it's connection, which I suspect is linked to the ac. Aaa was called to change the tire, and I have the receipt. The next day I had a new tire put on as well as replaced another tire that was in need. They checked the remaining general tire and said it was in good condition. …
4/27/2006, I had a vibration in my steering wheel noted primarily at low speeds. I had my brakes done and general maintenance but vibration was still present. Went to tire shop who evaluated passenger side rear tire which was separating. I had cooper touring tires on the vehicle approx 1 1/2 years old. I had the tire replaced and the other tires inspected and balanced. Vibration was no longer present. 5/21/06 driving east on I-10 began feeling a steering vibration. I was nearing tucson and planned to exit to the nearest tire shop, vibration increased. I took inventory of vehicles around me noting a truck pulling a boat and made a decision that I did not want to be by the boat if anything happened. I made lane change and shortly after tire made a big bang and I spun 360 degrees on the freeway, spinning rearward into the median. …
On September 1, 2007, while driving on the interstate, a kelly springfield tire (mohave) shredded. Although the tires and tread appeared in excellent condition, the tread separated from the tire (from steel belt outward) without warning. The tire skin retained air, but car undrivable. This previously occurred exactly as with this tire in July 2007 on the same vehicle. The car was purchased with "mohave r/s" already installed. Tires at purchase and at time of failure appeared in excellent condition. All four tires on vehicle were the same and now two have failed catastrophically.
Michelin hydroedge have developed cracks in bottom of all treads with only 37,000 miles on a 90,000 mile rated tire. They do not have sidewall weather-checking so it is not a weather or chemical issue. Michelin was asked to pay for at least 50% of replacement cost but they refused. There is only 40% of the miles used on this set of $600 set of tires. The local dealer said he would replace with a different style for $450, which I did. Michelin owes me $150.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving on the highway the driver side front spare tire had tread separation. The tread damaged the wiring in the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealership; however, no repairs have been made.
The consumer noticed cracks on all four tires. The front tires had major cracks all over the surface of the sidewall, while the two rear tires had fine cracks on the surface of the sidewall.
Shortly after purchasing my Taurus I noticed a slight vibration when braking. It was very minor and I did not worry about it - thinking it was a knot on a tire. It got steadily worse and when I had a mechanic look at it he told me I needed new tie rod ends. The front tires had both worn to the steel belts. I replaced both the tie rod ends and the tires. Now I am still feeling the shudder when I brake and last week I started noticeing the steering was getting difficult and humming as I turned. I took the car to the mechanic today and he said the rack and pinion was leaking and needed to be replaced. He suggested your website and I have found numerous other people with the same problem. Ford needs to do something about this, it seems to be getting out of hand. I hope you can pressure them into standing behind their product and do what is fair.
I had been driving down the road at a slow rate of speed when the tire blew up. It blew out my quarter panel 2 inches from the frame of my car. Had I been on the highway I would not be hear right now . My car veered off the raod ,over thecurb and into a parking lot. Had there been a person next to me there would have been an accident. General tire says there not libel because there was a plug in the tire. That plug ahd only been in a short time. The integrity of the tire was not compromised because of the plug. I had an explosion, that was the problem.the tire compnay cannot tell me for every tire that had a plug in it they will nor be responsible for it if it explodes. That is unconscionable. (tiresize: p20565r15)( dot number: tire size: p20565r15 )
On April 23, 2005 at approximately 2100 hours on interstate 59 south in rural alabama my daughter experienced a tire malfunction in my Ford Taurus. The tires tread totally disintegrated causing extensive body damage to the vehicle (approx. $1800). My own personal investigation of the incident site and tire along with the statements of the wrecker driver and body shop representative show that the tire was obviously defective. The damage to the tire is eerily similar to the defective SUV tires recalled by Firestone a few years ago. I am in the process of contacting the tire manufacturer to inform them of this problem and to seek reimbursement for the towing and repairs. Tire information: lemans touring p205/65r15 m+s dot hyur lt4 do5l
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1999 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1999 Ford Taurus, 3% of the model year's 874 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Taurus wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1999 Ford Taurus, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Taurus wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.