1998 Ford Taurus Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2 safety recalls on file

The 1998 Ford Taurus has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 545 complaints with NHTSA, including 61 crashes, 14 fires, 64 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Vehicle Speed Control (113 reports).

2Recalls
545Owner complaints
61Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your Taurus?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

1998 Ford Taurus recalls

Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage

Recall 98V198Aug 25, 19987,000 vehicles affected

Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Recall 98V028Feb 10, 1998571,800 vehicles affected

Most common 1998 Ford Taurus problems

Problem areas named in the 545 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Vehicle Speed Control113
Service Brakes, Hydraulic86
Power Train71
Engine And Engine Cooling64
Suspension59
Steering42
Air Bags39
Electrical System35
Seat Belts29
Structure23

What owners report

2022-08-20, Steering
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 easily hit another vehicle ir been hit by another vehicle. In researching this issue and talking to a Ford mechanic the rack and pinion is a common problem in the Ford Taurus from 1996 to 2000. There should have been a nationwide recall and there was not. A mechanic that worked at Ford at the time told me 30000 vehicles were recalled but all the vehicles should have been recalled. The problem was so big they designed
2018-03-30, Seat Belts
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 WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER PRODUCED PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
2015-01-15, Air Bags
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,230.
2014-11-24, Engine
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. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A REAR PROPORTIONING VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
2014-10-17, Engine
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 GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ESPECIALLY SINCE ITS A TEENAGERS VEHICLE. I SEE THAT NEWER TAURUSES HAD A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. MANY WERE REPORTING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT MY SON'S DID TONIGHT. ALSO, WHEN I PLACED HIS VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE REVVED UP TO 4000 RPM'S LIKE SOMEONE WAS HITTING THE GAS. I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF BEFORE IT BLEW THE ENGINE. IT WAS

1998 Ford Taurus questions

Does the 1998 Ford Taurus have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 1998 Ford Taurus: Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage; Exterior Lighting:Headlights. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Taurus?

Based on 545 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Vehicle Speed Control (113), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (86), Power Train (71).

How do I check if a recall on my 1998 Ford Taurus has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Ford Taurus years

Other 1998 Ford models