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DN101 · Sedan

1998 Ford Taurus

Common problems & what to know before you buy

Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 1998 Ford Taurus.

Recall campaigns
4
Owner complaints
587, mostly vehicle speed control
Safety record

Recalls on the 1998 Ford Taurus

Recall·09E012000

Exterior lighting

THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

Recall·06E026000

Exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED…

Recall·98V028000

Exterior lighting: headlights

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.

1 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.

Source: NHTSA

Owner complaints

What 587 owners reported

Vehicle speed control97
Service brakes73
Engine and engine cooling64
Power train63

Source: NHTSA

Specifications

1998 Ford Taurus at a glance

Trims
GLLXSESHO
Engine
3.0L 6-Cylinder, 3.4L 8-Cylinder
Transmission
Automatic 4-spd
Drivetrain
FWD
Fuel
Gasoline
Body style
Sedan
Browse

Other Ford Taurus years

201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 1998 Ford Taurus?

Owners have filed 587 complaints about the 1998 Ford Taurus with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. There are 4 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.

Is the 1998 Ford Taurus reliable?

Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 4 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.

Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 1998 Ford Taurus?

Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 1998 Ford Taurus listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.

Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.