Complaints
680
Crashes
75
Fires
17
Injuries
89
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#186 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:94,802 mi
Crash-related:10
#247 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:92,875 mi
#331 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:88,787 mi
Crash-related:6
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unintended Acceleration | 86 | 10 | — | 94,802 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 47 | — | — | 92,875 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 31 | 6 | — | 88,787 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 31 | — | — | 84,793 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 28 | 24 | — | 93,671 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 21 | 1 | 3 | 98,811 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 | 1 | 1 | 86,333 mi | |
| Interior Lighting | 15 | — | 1 | 49,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 15 | — | — | 97,824 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 14 | 4 | — | 46,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | — | 124,794 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 11 | — | — | 36,500 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 10 | 1 | — | 115,664 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 10 | — | — | 52,500 mi | |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages | 9 | 4 | — | 77,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 5 | — | 116,615 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 8 | 2 | — | 7,300 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 7 | — | 1 | 73,631 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | — | — | 93,136 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | 1 | — | 126,622 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 6 | — | — | 136,002 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 | — | — | 167,959 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 | — | — | 115,668 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 163,546 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | — | — | 134,987 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | 215,000 mi |
Unintended Acceleration
86
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,802
Automatic Transmission
47
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,875
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
31
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,787
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
31
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,793
Air Bags:Frontal
28
complaints
Crashes
24
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,671
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
21
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
98,811
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,333
Interior Lighting
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,000
Suspension:Front
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,824
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
14
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,000
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,794
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,500
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,664
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,500
Steering:Rack And Pinion
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
9
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,000
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,615
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
7,300
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
73,631
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,136
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
126,622
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
136,002
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
167,959
Structure:Frame And Members
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,668
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
163,546
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
134,987
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
215,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
1998 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Ford Taurus has 680 NHTSA complaints, 75 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Unintended Acceleration with 86 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Unintended Acceleration (86 complaints, avg 94,802 mi); Automatic Transmission (47 complaints, avg 92,875 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (31 complaints, avg 88,787 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 92,339 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Ford Taurus include 75 crash-related reports, 17 fire reports, 89 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Ford Taurus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Ford Taurus?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Ford Taurus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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