1998 Ford TAURUS: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10001503 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001503 at NHTSA ↗
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 10004685 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED PASSENGER SIDE STRUT BROKE, CAUSING SPRING TO BREAK WHICH PUNCTURED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005388 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT LINE UP CORRECTLY WHEN IN ANY GEAR. AJAR DOOR LIGHT AND INSIDE DOME LIGHT STAY ON AND THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, WHEN GETTING IN OR OUT OF THE CAR EACH PASSANGER GETS SHOCKED IF YOU TOUCH ONE ANOTHER OR THE DOORS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW. THIS HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASES.
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006940 · 2001-09-07 (September 7, 2001)
CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE AT A SET SPEED WHEN GOING DOWN HILL. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WELL BEYOND PRESET SPEED. VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE 15 MPH OVER PRESET SPEED. BRAKES ROTORS WARP CONSTANTLY. ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED OR REPLACED OVER 5 TIMES. ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT DECREASE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT RELEASED. DEALER CLAIM ALL TAURUS WITH 3.0L DURATIC ENGINES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM NO TECHNICAL BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO RESOLVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES. THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT BRAKING AND CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007009 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
WHEN THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, ALL THE LIGHTS FAILED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007009 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1998-02-10 (February 10, 1998)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V198000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1998-08-25 (August 25, 1998)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗