1988 Ford Taurus Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 333 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 116,462miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the visibility of the 1988 Ford Taurus, 3% of the 333 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,462 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer's 1988 Ford Taurus was delivered with rust on the passenger side rear fender. The vehicle also had problem with the brakes, wiper motor, body mounts and struts.”
NHTSA complaint #10156242, filed 2006-04, 75,000 miles“1988 Ford Taurus gl 3.0l v-6. Heater core failed during winter month with temps in the 30-40 degree f range. Windshield and all other windows fogged over and eliminated visibility instantly. The incident happened at night at approx 9:30 pm. Attempts at using a paper towel which was handy was to no avail. As soon as the interior window was wiped, it instantly refogged. Use of defogger was futile and use of the air conditioner was of little to no help. The immediate nature of the incident, for an inexperienced driver or a driver unfamiliar with the road it could lead to a tragic accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10033226, filed 2003-08, 157,925 miles“When the heater core fails in cold temperatures, large volumes of steam from the superheated cooling fluid is released into the passenger compartment causing all windows to fog within 5 to 10 seconds rendering the driver blind on the highway. Opening the windows and shutting off the heater is not a rapid enough remedy. The windshield remains fogged as does the rear window, even with the rear window de-fog/icer on. This incident produces a very serious situation for even an experienced driver at normal urban traffic speeds. …”
NHTSA complaint #740306, filed 2001-02Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 12 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 196 | 16% |
| 2002 | 100 | 7% |
| 2001 | 39 | 4% |
| 2000 | 45 | 4% |
| 1999 | 59 | 7% |
| 1998 | 17 | 3% |
| 1997 | 57 | 7% |
| 1996 | 55 | 7% |
| 1995 | 38 | 3% |
| 1994 | 30 | 3% |
| 1993 | 157 | 10% |
| 1992 | 43 | 6% |
| 1991 | 19 | 3% |
| 1990 | 24 | 6% |
| 1989 | 14 | 2% |
| 1988 | 11 | 3% |
| 1987 | 10 | 4% |
| 1986 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Taurus
94 complaintsEngine cooling
67 complaintsBody and structure
51 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsSeat belts
33 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsSeats
12 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 29, 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