1988 Ford Taurus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 8%of 333 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the steering of the 1988 Ford Taurus, 8% of the 333 complaints for this model year. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Power steering hose are to close to engine manifold three times they melted causing fluid to be lost and steering failure one time a hose broke causing a fire the harness had to be repaired the power steering pump was replaced twice because of fluid starvation the hose were placed away from manifold after great expense some one could have seriously injured are killed because of this”
NHTSA complaint #707702, filed 1999-06“A fire started within the engine compartment on the driver side of the vehicle due to leakage of the power steering pump. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #834843, filed 1999-02“Failure of the steering column, the high pressure line is leaking fluid, causing loss of power steering. Consumer contacted the dealer and the dealer has replaced the line .”
NHTSA complaint #806334, filed 1996-12“The subframe mounting bolts pulled out and caused the car to loss steering while driving. Tt recall 93v106, however consumer's vehicle was not included because it was too old.”
NHTSA complaint #969649, filed 1995-08“Something failed in steering mechanism while dry steering, resulting in vibration when wheel is turned/held, feels as if car does not have power steering.”
NHTSA complaint #482676, filed 1995-04Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% |
| 2016 | 9 | 10% |
| 2015 | 50 | 18% |
| 2014 | 64 | 28% |
| 2013 | 295 | 50% |
| 2012 | 17 | 22% |
| 2011 | 25 | 13% |
| 2010 | 41 | 20% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 35 | 20% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% |
| 2002 | 18 | 1% |
| 2001 | 20 | 2% |
| 2000 | 29 | 2% |
| 1999 | 106 | 12% |
| 1998 | 40 | 7% |
| 1997 | 59 | 8% |
| 1996 | 101 | 12% |
| 1995 | 39 | 3% |
| 1994 | 26 | 3% |
| 1993 | 57 | 4% |
| 1992 | 56 | 8% |
| 1991 | 76 | 12% |
| 1990 | 51 | 13% |
| 1989 | 53 | 9% |
| 1988 | 26 | 8% |
| 1987 | 21 | 8% |
| 1986 | 9 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Taurus
94 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsBody and structure
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsSeat belts
33 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology