Complaints
462
Crashes
18
Fires
65
Injuries
9
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1988 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#158 complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Avg mileage:79,000 mi
Fires:18
#243 complaints
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
#330 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1988 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 58 | — | 18 | 79,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 43 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 30 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 27 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 26 | 1 | 8 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 25 | — | 5 | — | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 25 | — | 1 | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| SEATS | 8 | — | 3 | 199,134 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 7 | — | 3 | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 6 | — | 3 | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 6 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 5 | — | — | 53,000 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| STEERING | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | 5 | — | 3 | — | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 5 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 5 | — | — | 157,925 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 | — | 1 | 176,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY | 4 | — | 2 | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 4 | — | — | — | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 4 | — | 1 | 199,134 mi | |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| STRUCTURE | 4 | — | — | 75,000 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 3 | — | 1 | — |
Other Ford Taurus Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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