Model year record

1998 Ford Taurus

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 680 owner complaints on file.

Ford Taurus, 1996–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1996–1999 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V198000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-25
Owners notified
1998-09-04

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V028000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
571,800
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-10
Owners notified
1998-03-23

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control8690,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission4787,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3171,200 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs3177,143 mi
Air bags: frontal28100,013 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2198,811 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1782,000 mi
Interior lighting1549,000 mi
Suspension: front1599,511 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1446,000 mi
Electrical system12133,000 mi
Unknown or other1279,150 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal12—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1119,000 mi
Seat belts1098,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc10—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1035,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion9—
Vehicle speed control: linkages977,000 mi
Air bags885,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor87,300 mi
Engine and engine cooling770,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic779,150 mi
Steering743,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system697,787 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights6167,959 mi
Structure: frame and members6125,000 mi
Suspension6142,392 mi
Tires6127,582 mi
Power train5170,000 mi
Structure: body570,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch4—
Electrical system: wiring497,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system495,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4106,023 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch4—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Seat belts: rear/other475,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump4—
Tires: tread/belt437,472 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control419,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core455,000 mi
Wheels4140,655 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3103,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump393,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines3—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)3103,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3—
Power train: manual transmission3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage350,000 mi
Seats3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner373,990 mi
Service brakes3138,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections3—
Structure3107,000 mi
Structure: body: door3—
Structure: body: trunk lid3—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut314,980 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3—
Visibility: windshield3—
Air bags: side/window2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: starter assembly2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood260,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine2138,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys270,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting2140,655 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline222,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings249,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2—
Structure: body: hood2—
Vehicle speed control: cables290,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls248,787 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Child seat1—
Electrical system: horn1148,230 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment185,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights121,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1103,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system158,598 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter144,328 mi
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal154,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light164,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)1—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light163,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields170,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Suspension: rear154,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1104,000 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Ford Taurus model years

All Ford Taurus recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.