1998 Ford Taurus Interior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the interior lighting of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 3% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I recently bought a 1998 Ford Taurus with 49,000 miles on it. It has an intermittent problem with the interior lights. After I get in the car and drive off, the vehicle sometimes thinks that my drivers door is still open. The door is ajar light on the instrument panel remains lit and the interior lights stay on for some time. I can manually turn off the dome light but the under-dash lights stay on. I don't notice it during the day but it is somewhat distracting at night. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013829, filed 2003-04, 49,000 miles“1. Need complete new transmission, 2nd gear burned up with only normal wear and tear. 2. Doon and door ajar lights won't go off, interior panal lights won't come on and I get shocked every time I close the door after exiting. 3. Gear shift column broke while car was in park shifting to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #720438, filed 2000-03“My door ajar lights keep coming on even though the doors are all shut. Sometimes I am able to open and close a door and the light will go out, but other times the light stays on no matter what you do. The dome light will stay on due to this and you have to take the bulb out in order to drive especially at night. This has been an ongoing problem for quite awhile now and no one is able to find the cause of the problem. I have already had to replace the alternator and two batteries which I believe to be caused from this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10177946, filed 2007-01“First the interior light stayed on for hours. We were in the act of moving to la. I called the1-800 number in owner's manual. Was told problem used to exist with mercury but not with Taurus. Are not the two cars the same, except for the namesassigned to them? At any rate,I was told to pull out bulb or get to panel for fuse. I pulled out bulb. Then the turbo component in engine gave out after I arrived in la. Aamco had to tow it away because, at best, it lurched forward or backward a few feet. Aamco replaced turbo unit for 1400.00 they replaced bulb interior. …”
NHTSA complaint #754730, filed 2001-11“When entering vehicle the interior lights illuminate as normal and then should go out when you close the doors. Consumer states light does not go out, causing the windows to look like mirrors. Consumer states' view is obstructed by this mirror like image, making impossible to see the road. Please describe further.”
NHTSA complaint #8023108, filed 2002-11Interior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% |
| 1999 | 6 | 1% |
| 1998 | 15 | 3% |
| 1997 | 22 | 3% |
| 1996 | 4 | 0% |
| 1995 | 2 | 0% |
| 1994 | 1 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 0% |
| 1990 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Taurus
111 complaintsBrakes
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
59 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsSeat belts
28 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 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 28, 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