1998 Ford Taurus Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 6%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 6% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1998 Ford Taurus station wagon began low power acelerating at stop times 2. A third incident occured from a complete stop with foot on brakes an this time it could not be stopped with both feet on breaks. It ran for about 75 feet and then quit on its own. Took to local Ford delears ship and they could find nothing wrong with my car. I asked if this were common and was told they never heard of such thing. Keep car two days I contacted the Taurus club of americal at their web line and it seems there have been many incidents such as this and they called it surging.”
NHTSA complaint #10114289, filed 2005-03, 58,598 miles“I'm not sure why this problem is happening. Whenever I push the button to let my windows up, turn off my read defrost, or hold any buttons too long the battery light will flash. I was driving down the highway and I turned off my rear defrost and my battery light flashed, then my head lights went out and my car almost shut down, then the lights came back on. The next day, it was night time, and I saw another Taurus do the same thing. Being that time is changing and I need my head lights, I would hate to have an accident due to the fact I cant see. …”
NHTSA complaint #10098019, filed 2004-10, 159,350 miles“Gear shifter does not line up correctly when in any gear. Ajar door light and inside dome light stay on and the driverside door will not lock when this happens. Also, when getting in or out of the car each passanger gets shocked if you touch one another or the doors. This has been happening for about 3 months now. This happens on a regular bases.”
NHTSA complaint #10005388, filed 2003-02, 103,000 miles“The door adjar sensor light stays on. All doors are shut but light stays on.when this light is on the interior lights stay on and also the automatic door locks will not lock. This problem causes the battery to run down and also for children to be able to open car doors when moving because the doors will not lock. I have taken the bulbs from the interior out to prevent running battery down. Have not been able to replace sensors in doors.”
NHTSA complaint #10221097, filed 2008-03, 133,000 miles“Consumer turned the vehicle on and let the engine idle while parked in the driveway. Approximately 15 minutes later the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The fire damageed total the vehicle. How the fire started? Was not determined.”
NHTSA complaint #10114970, filed 2005-03, 60,000 milesElectrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 7 | 13% |
| 2017 | 11 | 25% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 29 | 13% |
| 2013 | 59 | 10% |
| 2012 | 16 | 20% |
| 2011 | 47 | 25% |
| 2010 | 19 | 9% |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% |
| 2008 | 13 | 7% |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% |
| 2006 | 25 | 8% |
| 2005 | 28 | 4% |
| 2004 | 26 | 7% |
| 2003 | 97 | 8% |
| 2002 | 42 | 3% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
| 2000 | 62 | 5% |
| 1999 | 51 | 6% |
| 1998 | 34 | 6% |
| 1997 | 62 | 8% |
| 1996 | 57 | 7% |
| 1995 | 95 | 8% |
| 1994 | 81 | 9% |
| 1993 | 156 | 10% |
| 1992 | 70 | 10% |
| 1991 | 44 | 7% |
| 1990 | 41 | 11% |
| 1989 | 118 | 21% |
| 1988 | 94 | 28% |
| 1987 | 69 | 27% |
| 1986 | 18 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Taurus
111 complaintsBrakes
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
59 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsAir bags
39 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 27, 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