1998 Ford Taurus
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.
- Complaints
- 545
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Vehicle speed control
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
21% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 545 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 104 |
| 1987 | 259 |
| 1988 | 341 |
| 1989 | 570 |
| 1990 | 392 |
| 1991 | 659 |
| 1992 | 694 |
| 1993 | 1,565 |
| 1994 | 931 |
| 1995 | 1,208 |
| 1996 | 825 |
| 1997 | 770 |
| 1998 | 545 |
| 1999 | 874 |
| 2000 | 1,195 |
| 2001 | 1,037 |
| 2002 | 1,426 |
| 2003 | 1,223 |
| 2004 | 375 |
| 2005 | 774 |
| 2006 | 318 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 204 |
| 2011 | 187 |
| 2012 | 79 |
| 2013 | 584 |
| 2014 | 229 |
| 2015 | 271 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 15 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Vehicle speed control
21% · 112 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle has had two incidents that may be related to faulty acceleration. Perhaps you need to investigate older Ford Taurus for problems currently under review on 2006, etc. Dates and mileage are approx. I do not have reports available.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-12
Whwn I removed my oot from the gas pedal the car suddendly accelerated (Full throtle). I could not stop the car by applying brakes. The car got out of control and ran into awall.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-10
While driving, driver removed feet from gas pedal, engine started running at a full throttle, causing sudden acceleration at a high speed, vehicle turned at a 360 degree angle. Vehicle stopped when it hit a wall.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-30
Service brakes
17% · 92 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Power train
13% · 71 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Engine and engine cooling
11% · 62 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
After driving about a mile, the air conditioning stopped and black smoke came out of the hood. Stopped the car and thought of opening the hood but saw flames. Three adults and two children (5 and 2 yrs old) got out of the car.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-24
Also filed under Structure
Suspension
11% · 59 reportsMost commonly citing coil springs and front.
Show complaint excerpts
While rear trunk lid was up it became inoperative/ falling down and striking owner. Possible cause defective torsion bar, manufacturer's defect.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-04-16
Also filed under Structure
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1998Complaint volume 545 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the…
Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
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1998-09-04Seat belts98V198000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual seat tracks. The front seat belt buckle attaching stud may have been improperly heat treated. This heat treatment may have resulted in…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Vehicle speed control: 112 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 92 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 71 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 98V198000 · Seat belts
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Ford Taurus reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Taurus is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Taurus?
- The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Taurus have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.