1998 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 545 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 545 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that all four seat belts in the vehicle malfunctioned and failed to retract, which left the occupants unsecured. The vehicle was taken to bayshore ford of pennsyville (200 s. Broadway st, pennsyville, nj). The contact was informed that the manufacturer no longer produced parts for the vehicle and it could not be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 139,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the brakes failed completely and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure had recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the vehicle needed a rear proportioning valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 138,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. While driving at an unknown speed, the horn became inoperable and the service engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,230.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that the heater was not working in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 177,000. Updated 10/30/14*cn”Owner report · Visibility · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle made a jerking motion and failed to accelerate properly. The failure recurred multiple times and at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle started to roll away. As a result, the contact had to depress the brake pedal quickly and shift into park. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 260,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that he noticed the vinyl on the dashboard was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2013
“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. Called police and fire service. By the time they arrive, the car was in flames. The engine and front row seats were totally burnt. The car was a total loss. There was no way to determine the reason for the (mysterious) fire. This happened in miami, florida. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2012
“When I was turning a corner my car started to shimmy like it had a flat tire I got out to check only to find there isnt a flat tire and that my rack and pinion is gone bad on the passenger side of my car I just replaced the same part on the other side a year ago everytime the alignment goes out the rack and pinion goes bad! *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2012
“98 ford taurus waggon build date of 11/4/97 with 105,000 miles, front passanger coil spring broke while driving slowly, thank god. Apparently very common, why is there no recall for this!! No apparent reason, light useage mostly highway miles. *tt”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 61 of these complaints and injuries in 64 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
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 CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE STUD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Taurus by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA has 545 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,500 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.