1998 Ford Taurus Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 7%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,013miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 7% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,013 miles. 31 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought the vehicle from this company. I expect that all parts be in safe working condition... I was in an automobile accident june 3, 2005 in which while traveling about 50 MPH my car struck the side of a Ford truck that had pulled out perpendicular into my lane. My car was wedged beneath the truck and the front end was demolished while the dash has evidence of moving back as well including the bruises on my knees and leg. My car was determined totaled and I am in therapy for my injuries to include portions of my body from head to toe. My airbag did not deploy!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10145846, filed 2005-12, 85,000 miles“Dt: consumer was driving through mcdonalds when brakes failed, and pedal went to the floor. Consumer looked out of car and saw brake fluid on ground. Consumer walked to garage, and was told brake line was bent which caused it to rust. Brake line was located on driver's side. Consumer was told brake line went from front tire to rear tire. When brake went out the air bag light came on. Light was yellow with picture of air bag deployed. Also, consumer noticed that dash in vehicle on driver's side was separating.”
NHTSA complaint #10124628, filed 2005-06, 70,000 miles“Consumer slid into a guard rail while traveling 20 MPH in wet conditions. Consumer struck the guard rail with force head on, and air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10112842, filed 2005-02, 111,000 miles“Although I have stated my vehicle was going at a low MPH, the vehicle that hit my back passanger side was going at about 45 MPH for impact, at which point my car was sent spinning around, and both airbags did not deploy. My car was still running when it came to a stop and I had to manually shut it off.”
NHTSA complaint #724847, filed 2000-07“I was disengaging cruise control which was set at 62 MPH to deaccelerate on a decline to maneuver curves in road. I applied brakes and they did not respond. Car actually started to accelerate resulting in a crash against a guard rail. Air bags failed to deploy and resulted in two injuries although not severe”
NHTSA complaint #712498, filed 1999-09Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 2 | 5% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 11 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 4% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 9% |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 21 | 7% |
| 2005 | 27 | 3% |
| 2004 | 21 | 6% |
| 2003 | 46 | 4% |
| 2002 | 47 | 3% |
| 2001 | 66 | 6% |
| 2000 | 88 | 7% |
| 1999 | 40 | 5% |
| 1998 | 39 | 7% |
| 1997 | 42 | 5% |
| 1996 | 45 | 5% |
| 1995 | 55 | 5% |
| 1994 | 38 | 4% |
| 1993 | 54 | 3% |
| 1992 | 49 | 7% |
| 1991 | 55 | 8% |
| 1990 | 41 | 11% |
| 1989 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Taurus
111 complaintsBrakes
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
59 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsSeat belts
28 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsInterior lighting
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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