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EnginePart report

1998 Ford Taurus Engine Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
0%of 545 total for the year
Median mileage
156,750miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 0% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 156,750 miles.

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.

“This is the scariest thing I have ever seen while driving my teenage son's vehicle. His vehicle would not decrease in speed. While taking off from a stop, without touching the pedal, the vehicle accelerated on its own. I have never seen a vehicle accelerate without hitting the gas pedal. This is a serious safety concern especially since its a teenagers vehicle. I see that newer tauruses had a recall for the exact same issue. Many were reporting the vehicle accelerating on its own, this is exactly what my son's did tonight. …”

NHTSA complaint #10648298, filed 2014-10, 175,500 miles

“The contact owns a 1998 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the brakes failed completely and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure had recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the vehicle needed a rear proportioning valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 138,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10660573, filed 2014-11, 138,000 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201916%
201836%
201749%
20161214%
20153312%
2014167%
20137012%
20121114%
20114021%
20103718%
200969%
20082011%
200775%
2006248%
2005689%
2004257%
2003232%
200291%
200161%
200050%
199920%
199820%
199751%
199620%
199530%
199420%

Other parts of the 1998 Ford Taurus

Vehicle speed control
111 complaints
Brakes
81 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
69 complaints
Engine cooling
62 complaints
Suspension
59 complaints
Steering
40 complaints
Air bags
39 complaints
Electrical system
34 complaints
Seat belts
28 complaints
Body and structure
22 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints
Interior lighting
15 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