1988 Ford Taurus Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Taurus. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.

• 98V323000Dec 16, 19982,697,000 vehicles potentially affected
  Structure › Frame and members
  Covers: Ford Taurus 1986–1995, Mercury Sable 1986–1995, Lincoln Continental 1988–1994

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience…

  Possible consequence: If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.

  Full campaign details →

• 93V106000Jun 23, 19931,610,000 vehicles potentially affected
  Structure › Frame and members
  Covers: Ford Taurus 1986–1988, Mercury Sable 1986–1988, Lincoln Continental 1988

  Reported issue: Vehicle description: taurus and sables built from 10-14-85 through 8-19-88, and lincoln continentals built from 11-4-87 through 9-30-88 (except 1989 - 1991 2.5l taurus and 1989 - 1992 sho). The affected cars were originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…

  Possible consequence: If one of the rear corners drops, only minor indications of a malfunction such as a clunking noise or slight change in steering wheel alignment are noticeable. However, if both rear corners of the subframe drop, steering becomes very difficult, which could adversely affect vehicle control and possibly result in an…

  Remedy: Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. This recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98v-323.

  Full campaign details →

• 92V065000May 11, 1992654,000 vehicles potentially affected
  Wheels
  Covers: Ford Taurus 1986–1992, Mercury Sable 1986–1992

  Reported issue: Children can accidentally lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat, or in the storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with an optional third seat. Once the compartment is closed it cannot be opened from the inside.

  Possible consequence: There is a danger of air deprivation, hyperthermia,and/or panic response to a child who has locked himself or herself into thecompartment, with the possibility of asphyxiation.

  Remedy: Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.

  Full campaign details →

• 91V134000Aug 6, 1991325,000 vehicles potentially affected
  Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
  Covers: Ford Taurus 1986–1991, Mercury Sable 1986–1991, Lincoln Continental 1988–1991

  Reported issue: Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.

  Possible consequence: Severely corroded rotors may fracture or separate nearthe inner edges of the brake discs resulting in reduced braking effectiveness,higher than normal pedal efforts, loud grinding noises, and moderate pulls whenthe brakes are applied. Reduced braking effectiveness may increase minimumstopping distances, possibly…

  Remedy: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.

  Full campaign details →

• 91V036000Mar 4, 1991278,000 vehicles potentially affected
  Seats
  Covers: Ford Taurus 1988–1989, Mercury Sable 1988–1989

  Reported issue: The power seat switch wiring is routed over rather than under the front seat support brace, allowing damage by seat cushion spring ends when seat is occupied.

  Possible consequence: Power seat switch wiring insulation may become abraded,or punctured, and an electrical short could occur that could result in a firein the seat cushion material.

  Remedy: Revise routing of power seat wiring to prevent damage from seat cushion spring contact.

  Full campaign details →

NHTSA investigations

• RQ97009Rear lower subframe assemblyClosed · Aug 29, 1997
• DP95004Alleged defective tie rodsClosed · Aug 8, 1995
• PE93100Polycast road wheel cracksClosed · Dec 2, 1993
• PE93099Steering lck-up/impedimentClosed · Nov 30, 1993
• PE93065Underbody fuel line failsClosed · Jul 15, 1993
• PE93058Broken tie rodsClosed · Jun 15, 1993
• EA92040Sub-frm/unibody absor.failClosed · Nov 30, 1992
• PE92056Sub-frm/unibody absor.failClosed · Jul 1, 1992
• PE92044Power steering leaks/firesClosed · Apr 27, 1992
• PE92014Engine mount failureClosed · Feb 4, 1992
• EA91042Storage compar suffocationClosed · Oct 28, 1991
• PE91128Fires in ignition switchClosed · Sep 17, 1991
• PE91108Storage compar suffocationClosed · Aug 1, 1991
• PE91036Door handles breakageClosed · Jan 22, 1991
• EA90045Brake disc hub separationsClosed · Sep 28, 1990
• PE90071Brake disc hub failureClosed · Apr 2, 1990
• PE90066Throttle stickingClosed · Mar 27, 1990
• PE90019Speed control failureClosed · Nov 27, 1989
• EA90005Power seat malfunc/fireClosed · Oct 31, 1989
• PE89125Pwr seat malfunc - fireClosed · Jun 1, 1989
• PE89006Head rest dropsClosed · Oct 19, 1988

← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Taurus