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1998 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

141 reports with mileage · 404 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

61 crash reports14 fire reports38 injury reports

Seats complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2007
SeatsCrashInjury

A SEAT BACK FAILURE HAPPENED TO MY MOTHERS FORD TAURUS DURING A REAR END COLLISION, WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T REACH THE BRAKE OR STEERING WHEEL AFTER THE SEAT BACK BROKE. WHAT SHOULD OF BEEN A MINOR ACCIDENT TURNED INTO A VERY MAJOR ACCIDENT. AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD MAKE CARS THAT'…

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A SEAT BACK FAILURE HAPPENED TO MY MOTHERS FORD TAURUS DURING A REAR END COLLISION, WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T REACH THE BRAKE OR STEERING WHEEL AFTER THE SEAT BACK BROKE. WHAT SHOULD OF BEEN A MINOR ACCIDENT TURNED INTO A VERY MAJOR ACCIDENT. AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD MAKE CARS THAT'S SEATS DON'T BREAK WITH THE SMALLEST REAR COLLISION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198687

73,990 miles · Aug 9, 2006
SeatsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY TO 20 MPH WHILE IN REVERSE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN FULL ACCELERATION ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER THE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY TO 20 MPH WHILE IN REVERSE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN FULL ACCELERATION ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER THE COLLISION UNTIL THE CONTACT SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE WITH BRAKING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTRACTED THE 3 INJURED PASSENGERS FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165043

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
SeatsCrash

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED ON A CAR CRASH AND HER DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8019981

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002
Seats

CONSUMER STATES WAS HIT FROM THE REAR IN A COLLISION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WELD BROKE AND THE SEAT COLLAPSED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8019864

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 1999
Seats

HEADREST DOES NOT COME UP HIGH ENOUGH TO PROTECT OCCUPANT IN CASE OF VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER SAYS IT'S PART OF DESIGN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #845600

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 1999
Seats

DURING ACCELERATION THE DRIVERS SEAT ( SPINE ) AREA MAKES NOISE. *YC

NHTSA ODI #544668

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 1998
SeatsCrash

MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. THANK THE LORD THEY WERN'T IN THE CAR!

NHTSA ODI #701473

Official recalls

2

98V198000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Aug 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 & remedy

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.

98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.