Ford · Taurus · 1998
4
Recalls
554
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 1998 Ford Taurus has 4 recalls and 554 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: vehicle speed control (89 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated May 4, 2026
The 1998 Ford Taurus page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is an older model year, the complaint history often reflects a longer ownership window and multiple maintenance stages. That makes pattern-reading more useful than a one-number comparison against a much newer vehicle. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is vehicle speed control with 89 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy Status
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy Status
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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.
Remedy Status
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."
Remedy Status
OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
This car only has 73k milrs on it i am the 3rd owner. The power steering and the rack and pinion failed on this car. I was driving west on Columbus Drive in East Chicago three weeks ago when my steering became so stiff it was very difficult for me to make a turn and i could have ...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO RETRACT, WHICH LEFT THE OCCUPANTS UNSECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAYSHORE FORD OF PENNSYVILLE (200 S. BROADWAY ST, PENNSYVILLE, NJ). THE CONTACT WA...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. ...
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THIS IS THE SCARIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN WHILE DRIVING MY TEENAGE SON'S VEHICLE. HIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECREASE IN SPEED. WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP, WITHOUT TOUCHING THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE ACCELERATE WITHOUT HITTING THE GA...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANU...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER WAS NOT WORKING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. UPDATED 10...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A JERKING MOTION AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFA...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL AWAY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL QUICKLY AND SHIFT INTO PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DI...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THE VINYL ON THE DASHBOARD WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A LIGHT ON A HIGHWAY ACCESS ROAD, THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STOPPING. IT STARTED VIOLENTLY JERKING AND VIBRATING AND THE BRAKES WERE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE RPM'S READ IN THE 4'S. I PULLED OVER AND IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY RE...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 554 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 1998 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 1998 Ford Taurus has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 554 owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Ford Taurus.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 1998 Ford Taurus.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 1998 Ford Taurus are vehicle speed control (89 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (51 reports), power train (50 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 1998 Ford Taurus. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.