VehicleVerdict

1998 Ford Taurus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 680 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Taurus year — the 1998 model ranks #16 of 39 Taurus years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 89 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (113), brakes (93), and transmission (71), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

680

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

75

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

89

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Taurus years?

Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted2,206 complaints1977: 2 complaints1981: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 150 complaints1987: 355 complaints1988: 462 complaints1989: 762 complaints1990: 542 complaints1991: 946 complaints1992: 1,009 complaints1993: 2,206 complaints1994: 1,284 complaints1995: 1,597 complaints1996: 1,132 complaints1997: 1,003 complaints1998: 680 complaints1999: 1,100 complaints2000: 1,497 complaints2001: 1,264 complaints2002: 1,759 complaints2003: 1,524 complaints2004: 482 complaints2005: 1,005 complaints2006: 415 complaints2007: 196 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 77 complaints2010: 274 complaints2011: 251 complaints2012: 100 complaints2013: 749 complaints2014: 295 complaints2015: 333 complaints2016: 97 complaints2017: 52 complaints2018: 62 complaints2019: 15 complaints
Taurus NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Taurus years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Ford Taurus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control11317%
Brakes9314%
Transmission7110%
Engine6610%
Suspension599%
Steering426%
Airbags396%
Electrical System386%
Seat Belts294%
Lighting294%
Body & Structure233%
Visibility & Wipers173%
Tires & Wheels152%
Other142%
Fuel System132%
Seats71%
Latches & Locks71%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1998 Ford Taurus have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

98V198000Seat BeltsAugust 25, 1998 · 7,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.

98V028000LightingFebruary 10, 1998 · 571,800 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy

OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN BRAKING AND STOPPING OR BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS COMPLETELY ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I'M VERY INTERESTED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 14, 2000 · crash

“I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AT 35 MPH THE LIGHT TURNED RED I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I PUSHED THE BRAKES AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD'NT STOP .I RAN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND HIT ANOTHER CAR, CAUSING HIM TO HIT SOMEONE ELSE.IF THE SPEED ZONE HAD BEEN HIGHER SOMEONE COULD HAVE GOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 9, 2000 · crash

“PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO RESPOND TO ANY OF ITS FUNCTION. ALSO, BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER FAILED; AND KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COAST INTO A TREE AND THEN FLIP OVER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 4, 1999 · crash

“1998 FORD TAURUS ENGINE FAILED. *TS THE VEHICLES ENGINE FAILED WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK FOUR HIGHWAY SIGNS AND POLES. THE VEHICLE LEFT REAR DOOR, LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, LEFT REAR BUMPER AND RIGHT SIDE RUNNING PANEL WERE DAMAGED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 14, 2005 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COILS SPRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE FRONT TIRES. THERE WAS A RECALL # 04V332000 CONCERNING SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 2, 2007

1998 Ford Taurus — common questions

Is the 1998 Ford Taurus reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 680 complaints put the 1998 model at #16 of 39 Taurus years. It is one of the Taurus years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Taurus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (113 complaints), brakes (93 complaints), transmission (71 complaints).

Does the 1998 Ford Taurus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Ford Taurus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Taurus years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Taurus years to avoid are 1993, 2002, 1995, 2003, 2000, 1994, 2001, 1996, 1999, 1992, 2005, 1997, 1991, 1989, 2013, 1998, 1990. The cleanest record among Taurus years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.