Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
1325–50K
3550–75K
3075–100K
39100–150K
16150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 1998
Power Train
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ; WHENEVER VEHICLE IS COASTING AND NEEDS TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATIO. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION / ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS NOT PROGRAMMING INCORRECTLY. DEALER PUT IN ANOTHER TRANSMISSION, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. DEALER INFORMED…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ; WHENEVER VEHICLE IS COASTING AND NEEDS TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATIO. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRANSMISSION / ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS NOT PROGRAMMING INCORRECTLY. DEALER PUT IN ANOTHER TRANSMISSION, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828520
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 1998
Unknown Or Other
UNSPECIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #541714
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Steering
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH STEERING; VEHICLE ALWAYS STEERS TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND LEARNED THE VEHICLE WAS WITHOUT A FRONT CAMBER/CASTER. CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER/MANUFACTURER OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER BECAUSE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. CON…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH STEERING; VEHICLE ALWAYS STEERS TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND LEARNED THE VEHICLE WAS WITHOUT A FRONT CAMBER/CASTER. CONSUMER INFORMED DEALER/MANUFACTURER OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER BECAUSE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW CAN THEY BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR VEHICLE NOT HAVING THE FRONT CAMBER/CASTER PARTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828183
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO NON-DEFECTIVE BUCKLE, UPON INSPECTION FROM OTHER SOURCE THE BUCKLE WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #541080
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Interior Lighting
TRUNK LIGHT BURNED GARMENT IN THE TRUNK, LAMP DID NOT HAVE A COVER DUE TO THE DESIGN.
NHTSA ODI #541072
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
ERRATIC OPERATION OF CRUISE CONTROL ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TH ACCELERATE 10-15 MILE OVER THE SETTING WHILE THE OVERDRIVE IS ON. WHEN OVERDRIVE IS TURNED OFF CRUISE CONTROL MAINTAINS SETTING.
NHTSA ODI #541119
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828038
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRVING VEHICLE ABOUT 50 MPH AND WHEN CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, AND THE TIRES WOULD SHAKE OR VIBRATE. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE, BUT STILL EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827633
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
DESIGN OF VEHICLES WERE CALIBRATED WITH INCREASED DASH-POT FUNCTION CAUSING IN THE VEHICLE NOT DECELERATING WHEN TAKING THE FOOT OFF THE PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI #539655
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER COMMENCED TO SLOW DOWN BY APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL FOR UNKNOWN REASON. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED AT THIS TIME. *AK
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.
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.
1998 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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