1998 Ford Taurus problems
Owners have filed 680 complaints about the 1998 Ford Taurus with NHTSA. Vehicle speed control accounts for 16.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 12.6%.
Complaints680
Crashes75
Fires17
Injuries89
Deaths4
What owners report breaking
Vehicle speed control 16.6% · 113
Service brakes, hydraulic 12.6% · 86
Power train 10.4% · 71
Engine and engine cooling 9.4% · 64
Suspension 8.7% · 59
Steering 6.2% · 42
Air bags 5.7% · 39
Electrical system 5.1% · 35
Severity
Of those complaints, 75 describe a crash, 17 describe a fire, 89 report an injury and 4 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Ford Taurus in this data, 1998 sits 15th by complaint volume. 1993 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 90,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Vehicle accelerates by itself. It does not slow when accelerator is released. Problem is intermittent, and two visits to the dealer provided no solution. Dealer said to bring it in when it is happening, but this is unworkable as car must be shut off to stop high engine speed and then the problem stops until next occurance. I feel this vehicle is dangerous and the cavalier attitude of the dealer is of no help. Vehicle speed control
Idle air control (IAC) valve stuck, causing sudden acceleration and crash into a business sign. Assumed driver error since no other apparent cause. After repairs, on january 24, 2000, throttle opened suddenly again causing car to accelerate in reverse while backing from residence garage. No damage this time. Later same day at highway speed, throttle again opened but was brought under control. Vehicle speed control
Vehicle speed does not decrease after release of gas pedal. Vehicle maintains speed! Cruise control is not activated. No engine braking occurs! This happens at any speed. Place trans in nuetral while in motion and the rpm increases afew hundred rpm the maintains rpm. Application of the brakes decreases rpm proportionatly to mph while in nuetral..Dealer says " like it or not that is how it is". Vehicle speed control
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…