1991 Ford Taurus with 48,000 miles

Yep, it surely is. I owned a 1990 Taurus til a year ago and got pretty well-read on the transmission issue.

Up until 1990, the Taurus had a mechanically shifted transmission, meaning that the shifting was activated by a cable running from the throttle. In 1991, a new electronically controlled transmission was introduced (known as the AXODe), and my understanding is that it was a real lemon. The telltale sign was a rough or hesitant shift out of first gear. Part of the problem (again as I understand it) was a part called the clutch piston, which in the 1991 and newer transmissions had a tendancy to crack or otherwise fail.

Best of luck with your vehicle.