1988 Ford Taurus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 11%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 37 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1988 Ford Taurus, 11% of the 333 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This transmission has been rebuilt twice in a 6 month span/I have talked to several transmission shops and have been told this transmission was not right when it come out of the Ford plant ,rather than fix it before it got to the showroom,they put out a service memo to have it fixed after it tore up something to do with a fluid cooling problem our car has high mileage on it but anyone who has one has had transmission problems.”
NHTSA complaint #716224, filed 1999-12“Car was towed to transmission business, and the service personel commented that this was typical for a Ford Taurus that just turned over 100,000 miles. I was told I was lucky to have made it to 115,000. When I asked how much this would cost, the gave me the price and told me that Ford just gave them a bulletin which would install a transmission in a Taurus and sable (both have the same original transmission) that would last for 2 years! They could only warrant this transmission for two years! …”
NHTSA complaint #540529, filed 1998-08“Ford Taurus - history of multiple failures even on this individual vehicle. Axle failed twice, cylinder head cracked twice (different units), front drive axle suffered complete failure, plastic radiator fatigued at mounting point and cracked. I wanted to add this info for your historical records.”
NHTSA complaint #707166, filed 1999-06“Problems with vehicle's fuel line. Consumer waiting for settlement on repairs made on fuel pump, engine mounts, power brake booster, master cylinder, air conditioner, manifold, tires, and transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10073942, filed 2004-05“Motor mounts broke three or four times, and vehicle has been in shop for repairs. When driving at 30 MPH consumer can hear knocking noise coming from vehicle. Also, whenever going into another gear, there is a problem and vehicle stalls. Consumer just got a tune up.”
NHTSA complaint #834757, filed 1999-02Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 7 | 13% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 18 | 6% |
| 2014 | 12 | 5% |
| 2013 | 44 | 8% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 10% |
| 2010 | 36 | 18% |
| 2009 | 5 | 8% |
| 2008 | 44 | 25% |
| 2007 | 16 | 11% |
| 2006 | 32 | 10% |
| 2005 | 123 | 16% |
| 2004 | 72 | 19% |
| 2003 | 316 | 26% |
| 2002 | 39 | 3% |
| 2001 | 58 | 6% |
| 2000 | 99 | 8% |
| 1999 | 91 | 10% |
| 1998 | 69 | 13% |
| 1997 | 214 | 28% |
| 1996 | 182 | 22% |
| 1995 | 394 | 33% |
| 1994 | 269 | 29% |
| 1993 | 174 | 11% |
| 1992 | 105 | 15% |
| 1991 | 260 | 40% |
| 1990 | 42 | 11% |
| 1989 | 52 | 9% |
| 1988 | 37 | 11% |
| 1987 | 29 | 11% |
| 1986 | 19 | 19% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Taurus
94 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsBody and structure
51 complaintsSeat belts
33 complaintsSteering
26 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 30, 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