1988 Ford Taurus

● Typical for this model
1988 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Taurus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 101 complaints 1987: 255 complaints 1987 1988: 333 complaints 1988 1989: 562 complaints 1990: 381 complaints 1991: 649 complaints 1992: 681 complaints 1992 1993: 1557 complaints 1994: 923 complaints 1995: 1205 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1195 complaints 2001: 1037 complaints 2002: 1426 complaints 2002 2003: 1223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 202 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2012 2013: 579 complaints 2014: 227 complaints 2015: 253 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 43 complaints 2017 2018: 45 complaints 2019: 11 complaints 2019
1988: 333 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986101
1987255
1988333
1989562
1990381
1991649
1992681
19931557
1994923
19951205
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001195
20011037
20021426
20031223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010202
2011187
201278
2013579
2014227
2015253
201675
201743
201845
201911

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 47 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
STRUCTURE 12%

12% of complaints: structure — 41 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 29 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
SEAT BELTS 7%

7% of complaints: seat belts — 24 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19881019 — PE (closed 19890626)

HEAD REST DROPS

I 19890601 — PE (closed 19891031)

PWR SEAT MALFUNC - FIRE

I 19891031 — EA (closed 19910312)

POWER SEAT MALFUNC/FIRE

I 19891127 — PE (closed 19900327)

SPEED CONTROL FAILURE

I 19900327 — PE (closed 19900831)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900402 — PE (closed 19900628)

BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE

I 19900831 — EA (closed 19911231)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900928 — EA (closed 19910912)

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

I 19910122 — PE (closed 19910522)

DOOR HANDLES BREAKAGE

R 19910510 — seats

THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.

Campaign 91V036000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910801 — PE (closed 19911028)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

I 19910917 — PE (closed 19920127)

FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH

R 19910926 — service brakes, hydraulic

FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Campaign 91V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19911028 — EA (closed 19920521)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

I 19920204 — PE (closed 19920625)

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

I 19920427 — PE (closed 19920831)

POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRES

R 19920515 — wheels

CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPART

Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.

Campaign 92V065000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920701 — PE (closed 19921130)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19921130 — EA (closed 19930630)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19930615 — PE (closed 19940216)

BROKEN TIE RODS

I 19930715 — PE (closed 19931130)

UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS

R 19930722 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFEC

Remedy: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

Campaign 93V106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19931130 — PE (closed 19940328)

STEERING LCK-UP/IMPEDIMENT

I 19931202 — PE (closed 19940630)

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

I 19940216 — EA (closed 19950227)

BROKEN TIE RODS

R 19941215 — suspension

THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.

Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

Campaign 94E036000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950808 — DP (closed 19950830)

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

I 19970829 — RQ (closed 19990216)

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

R 19990118 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Campaign 98V323000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (47 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 91V036000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V065000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V106000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94E036000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford Taurus reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Ford Taurus is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Taurus?

The most-reported component is electrical system:ignition:switch, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Taurus have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.