1998 Ford Taurus Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 62about this part
- Share
- 11%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 62 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 11% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Ford Taurus 1998 engine coolant reservoir (plastic container) sprung a leak on the bottom side. No indication of any rubbing against anything. I ordered a replacement from an on-line internet parts wholesaler and they said they had many orders for replacement Ford Taurus engine coolant reservoir bottles. I never had such a problem on any previous car that I have owed before.”
NHTSA complaint #10251798, filed 2008-12, 250,220 miles“Engine coolant reservoir sprang a leak on the bottom side. There is about a 1-inch gap between the bottom of the bottle and the fender so rubbing against something was not the cause. I called a parts house who said they had replaced 3 of them in the past 2 weeks. Seems like an odd coincidence the bottles leak. I've never seen one leak on any car I've ever owned.”
NHTSA complaint #10052492, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles“1998 Taurus se has had problems with cooling system nov 2001.cutter Ford of aiea the agent for Ford made three attempts to repair problem spaning a year and a half. For the time being problem has been solved. However freeze plug has malfuctioned twice now and I am currently getting it repaired. Fuel injectors malfuctioned and where repaired april 2003. I have records of car's problems dating back to 2000”
NHTSA complaint #10070490, filed 2004-01, 48,787 miles“No heat. Took our 1998 Ford Taurus 6cyl.,3.0l,182fi vehicle to dealer with complaint of no heat. I am told from the Ford service advisor that there is rust in the coolant system caused by a metal allergy reaction from the water pump impeller blade and the antifreeze coolant in the system which cause rust the inside of the engine, freeze plugs, heater core, thermostat and eventually cause the engine to overheat/breakdown due to lack of water/coolant circulation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10144671, filed 2005-12, 105,000 miles“Smoke began coming out of vents when air conditioning was turned on. If I turned it off and waited a few minutes, the air conditioning would work again. This happened every time I tried to use the air conditioning. In september, when I tried using the heater, it did not work. I changed the thermostat and had engine cooling system flushed. However this still did not resolve my problem. I contacted my local Ford dealership,. They informed me that this a common problem with the 98 Taurus. The engine coolant Ford makes you use clogs the system and turns the coolant into sludge. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043474, filed 2003-10, 97,787 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10017916May 1, 2005Surge, idle roll, rough idle only when the engine cooling fans are operating.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 4 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2009 | 18 | 28% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 22 | 15% |
| 2006 | 19 | 6% |
| 2005 | 40 | 5% |
| 2004 | 19 | 5% |
| 2003 | 67 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 4% |
| 2001 | 60 | 6% |
| 2000 | 103 | 9% |
| 1999 | 81 | 9% |
| 1998 | 62 | 11% |
| 1997 | 145 | 19% |
| 1996 | 214 | 26% |
| 1995 | 352 | 29% |
| 1994 | 289 | 31% |
| 1993 | 638 | 41% |
| 1992 | 217 | 32% |
| 1991 | 116 | 18% |
| 1990 | 78 | 20% |
| 1989 | 97 | 17% |
| 1988 | 67 | 20% |
| 1987 | 40 | 16% |
| 1986 | 22 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Taurus
111 complaintsBrakes
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsSuspension
59 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsAir bags
39 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 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