The 1999 Ford Taurus has 98 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
98
Transmission complaints
9%
Share of year
5
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE SUPPORT BRACKET AND OVER TIME, CAN WEAR AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
Consequence
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.
“THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THE HOOD THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE BURNT THROUGH THE PAINT ON THE HOOD, MELTED THE FRONT TIRE, DASHBOARD AND OTHER FRONT END COMPONENTS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HASN'T IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER…”
NHTSA has 98 complaints about the 1999 Ford Taurus transmission — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 98V288000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.