1998 Ford TAURUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
430 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
87,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 141 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 57 of 430 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 107 | 24.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 50 | 11.6% |
| Steering behavior | 33 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 57 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 44 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 31 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 24 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 14 |
| Suspension:Front | 13 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 57; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 44; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 31; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 24; Air Bags:Frontal: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 14; Suspension:Front: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 35 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 39 |
| 150,000 and above | 16 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 35; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 39; 150,000 and above: 16
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 289 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 97 |
| 2001 | 62 |
| 2002 | 78 |
| 2003 | 55 |
| 2004 | 34 |
| 2005 | 34 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 97; 2001: 62; 2002: 78; 2003: 55; 2004: 34; 2005: 34; 2006: 16; 2007: 11; 2008: 8; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 9; 2012: 6; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 1; 2018: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 107 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 50 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003704 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESS ON THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL WITHOUT NOTICE CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004043 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
WHEN APPLIED BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP THIS TIME CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 65,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000687 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
1998 FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018438 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
1998 FORD TAURUS WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT MOVE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2002 AND THE PRESENT. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME (MAY 2, 2003), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2800. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION. THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE PAN AND BURNT MERCON V. TOTAL COST FOR REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION WAS $1400-$1800. THIS IS A PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE SINCE THE SHOP …
Owner-reported narrative. 64,077 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021155 · 2003-06-06 (June 6, 2003)
WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT A STREET CORNER IN THE RAIN THE POWER STEERING WILL MOMENTARILY FAIL. THE DRIVE BELT WILL MAKE A SLIGHT SQUEAL WHEN IT RE-ENGAGES. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS INADEQUAGE SPLASH SHIELDING INSIDE THE RIGHT HAND WHEEL WELL SUCH THAT WATER IS THROWN UP ON THE DRIVE BELT AND CRANKSHAFT PULLY BY THE COCKED WHEEL. THE DRIVE BELT IS RELATIVELY NEW BUT THE PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED WITH THE OEM BELT.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024265 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
WHEN MAKING LEFT OF RIGHT TURNS A GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED RACK AND PINION STEERING ON 6/17/2003. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009115 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN POWER DOOR PREVENTED DOOR FROM LOCKING. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015275 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON AFTER THE MOTOR WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE LIGHTS SO THE BATTERY WON'T GO DEAD. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017517 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075563 · 2004-06-02 (June 2, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032142 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AT COST OF $695.00, CONSUMER STATED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069773 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE FUEL PUMP JUST STOPPED WORKING CAUSING A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN OF ALL SYSTEMS NO STEERING, BRAKES, ETC;JUST BY LUCK THE WIFE WAS DRIVING SLOW IN TRAFFIC BUT CAN YOU IMIANGE IF YOU WERE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS!!!! AND TO TOP IT OFF BECAUSE OF A POOR DESIGN THE CONSUMER GETS STUCK WITH A 619.00 REPAIR BILL DUE TO THE FACT THE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK AND IS LABOR INTENSIVE TO REPAIR WHICH REALLY SUCKS!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME BUT TO ME THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD NOT TO MENTION THE HIGH COST JUST TO REPAIR A FUEL PUMP
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069773 at NHTSA ↗