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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

545 reports
112,000 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND THEN DECELERATE FOR APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER MILE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND THEN DECELERATE FOR APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER MILE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10322167

167,000 miles · Nov 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY EXHIBIT A NO-START CONDITION. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY EXHIBIT A NO-START CONDITION. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 167000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD BECOME EXCESSIVELY HOT. UPDATED 12/08/09*JB

NHTSA ODI #10290804

42,000 miles · May 6, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER HEARD A GUSHING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OIL WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER HEARD A GUSHING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OIL WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET. THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS BETWEEN 42,000-44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10267830

138,000 miles · Mar 18, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A RUBBING NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND A 1999 RECALL FOR THI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A RUBBING NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND A 1999 RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT ONLINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10262268

53,605 miles · Jan 11, 2009
Suspension

MY WIFE WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND A FLAT TIRE OCCURRED. WHEN I TOOK OFF THE FLAT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE DONUT, THE ENTIRE INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE WAS CUT. ONE OF THE COILS OF THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN OFF AND SLICED INTO THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRING A…

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MY WIFE WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND A FLAT TIRE OCCURRED. WHEN I TOOK OFF THE FLAT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE DONUT, THE ENTIRE INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE WAS CUT. ONE OF THE COILS OF THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN OFF AND SLICED INTO THE TIRE. THE COIL SPRING APPEARS TO HAVE WORN HALF-WAY THROUGH AND THEN SNAPPED OFF. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS NOT BEING DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! THE SHOCKS, MOUNTS LINKS, TIRES, ETC. WERE REPLACED AT THE TUNE OF $1,375.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254657

250,220 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD TAURUS 1998 ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR (PLASTIC CONTAINER) SPRUNG A LEAK ON THE BOTTOM SIDE. NO INDICATION OF ANY RUBBING AGAINST ANYTHING. I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT FROM AN ON-LINE INTERNET PARTS WHOLESALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD MANY ORDERS FOR REPLACEMENT FORD TAURUS ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR BOTTLES. I NEVER HAD SUCH A…

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FORD TAURUS 1998 ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR (PLASTIC CONTAINER) SPRUNG A LEAK ON THE BOTTOM SIDE. NO INDICATION OF ANY RUBBING AGAINST ANYTHING. I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT FROM AN ON-LINE INTERNET PARTS WHOLESALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAD MANY ORDERS FOR REPLACEMENT FORD TAURUS ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR BOTTLES. I NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM ON ANY PREVIOUS CAR THAT I HAVE OWED BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251798

157,947 miles · Nov 24, 2008
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. HE LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE'S SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE METAL WHERE THE SUBFRAME BUSHING WAS ATTACHED WAS COR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. HE LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE'S SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE METAL WHERE THE SUBFRAME BUSHING WAS ATTACHED WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,954 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,947. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN UPDATED 12/16/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10249688

127,582 miles · Oct 12, 2008
Tires

I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES AT SEARS ON 10/31/06 .AND I HAD A FLAT TIRE SO I PUT AIR IN THE TIRE WHEN I WAS DONE I COULD HEAR THE AIR LEAKING OUT OF THE VALVE STEM I COULD SEE THE CRACKS IN THE STEMS AND REPLACED IT ON 5/18/08 AND A MONTH LATER THE SAME THING I REPLACED ANOTHER VALVE STEM ON 06/16/08 . NOW I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE T…

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I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES AT SEARS ON 10/31/06 .AND I HAD A FLAT TIRE SO I PUT AIR IN THE TIRE WHEN I WAS DONE I COULD HEAR THE AIR LEAKING OUT OF THE VALVE STEM I COULD SEE THE CRACKS IN THE STEMS AND REPLACED IT ON 5/18/08 AND A MONTH LATER THE SAME THING I REPLACED ANOTHER VALVE STEM ON 06/16/08 . NOW I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TWO FRONT TIRES VALVE STEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245196

107,000 miles · Aug 19, 2008
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD RUMBLING NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE GIVEN BACK TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT LAST A YEAR DUE TO THE DAMAGED K-FRAME. A PERSONAL FRIEND/MECHANIC TAPPED ON THE FR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD RUMBLING NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE GIVEN BACK TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT LAST A YEAR DUE TO THE DAMAGED K-FRAME. A PERSONAL FRIEND/MECHANIC TAPPED ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS SIMILAR TO GLASS SHATTERING. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE SNOW SALT FROM THE ROADS WERE CORRODING THE FRAME. THE CONTACT LATER PURCHASED A SUBFRAME AND IS AWAITING ITS INSTALLATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10238865

90,000 miles · May 9, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS, AFTER I BROUGHT MY 1998 FORD TAURUS TO FULL STOP, WITH THE GEAR IN PARK, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY, VERY RAPIDLY. I AM TAKING IT TO MY MECHANIC TO CHECK OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227174

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.