Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1998 Ford Taurus Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control — runs 3.1× the fleet median for that category across the 1732 model-years tracked on this site.
545Complaints
4Recalls
61Crashes
14Fires
64Injured
4Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control (15.8% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints here are 3.1× the median for that category across the 1732 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 86 · 15.8% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 47 · 8.6% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 31 · 5.7% | No official action | — |
| Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs | 31 · 5.7% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 28 · 5.1% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 21 · 3.9% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 545 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 4 campaigns
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 98V028000 · 1998 · reported 02/10/1998
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seat Belts:front:anchorage
NHTSA campaign 98V198000 · 1998 · reported 08/25/1998
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND FOREFULLY APPLY BRAKES TO STOP…”NHTSA complaint 859367 — filed 03/29/2000 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“CAR ACCELERATES ALL ON ITS ON, INCLUDING GOING UPHILL WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL CAR WILL TRAVEL BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. WHEN PLACED…”NHTSA complaint 720552 — filed 03/24/2000 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK CONSUMER HAS TO HOLD DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL TIGHTLY BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE UP TO 3RPMS. IF BRAKE PEDAL…”NHTSA complaint 857441 — filed 02/23/2000 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Taurus?
Vehicle speed control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 86 of 545 NHTSA complaints (15.8%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (47), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (31), suspension:front:springs:coil springs (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Ford Taurus have?
545 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 61 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 64 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Ford Taurus's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
