Model Year Problem Record

Ford Taurus 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Ford Taurus: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

545Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

92Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Vehicle Speed Control112

Brakes92

Engine64

Fuel and Propulsion System13

Unknown Or Other12

Tires10

Equipment9

Seats8

Latches, Locks and Linkages7

Wheels5

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Speed Control112 complaints

112 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes92 complaints

92 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train71 complaints

71 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine64 complaints

64 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension59 complaints

59 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting29 complaints

29 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V028000.

Seat Belts29 complaints

29 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V198000.

Vehicle Structure23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

98V028000Reported February 10, 1998 - 571,800 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 571,800 vehicles across all affected models.

98V198000Reported August 25, 1998 - 7,000 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on August 25, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 7,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199841

199974

200097

200162

200278

200355

200434

200534

200616

200711

20088

20094

20105

20119

20126

20133

20145

20151

20181

20221

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.