1998 Ford Taurus Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 7%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 7% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I was turning a corner my car started to shimmy like it had a flat tire I got out to check only to find there isnt a flat tire and that my rack and pinion is gone bad on the passenger side of my car I just replaced the same part on the other side a year ago everytime the alignment goes out the rack and pinion goes bad!”
NHTSA complaint #10464758, filed 2012-07, 210,245 miles“My car problem happens when it rains. When I hit a puddle on the right front side the power steering does not work for several seconds, though the engine runs fine. When I hit the water it splashes up and gets the belt to the power steering pump wet and all power steering goes out for 5 to 10 seconds. This is a nightmare in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10025908, filed 2003-07, 35,000 miles“When turning right at a street corner in the rain the power steering will momentarily fail. The drive belt will make a slight squeal when it re-engages. It appears that there is inadequage splash shielding inside the right hand wheel well such that water is thrown up on the drive belt and crankshaft pully by the cocked wheel. The drive belt is relatively new but the problem also occurred with the oem belt.”
NHTSA complaint #10021155, filed 2003-06, 70,000 miles“This car only has 73k milrs on it i am the 3rd owner. The power steering and the rack and pinion failed on this car. I was driving west on Columbus Drive in East Chicago three weeks ago when my steering became so stiff it was very difficult for me to make a turn and i could have easily hit another vehicle ir been hit by another vehicle. In researching this issue and talking to a Ford mechanic the rack and pinion is a common problem in the Ford Taurus from 1996 to 2000. There should have been a nationwide recall and there was not. …”
NHTSA complaint #11480338, filed 2022-08“3rd rack & pinion replaced in my 1998 Taurus since I purchased it in august '99 : sept.'99; sept. '03, and apr 04. I have only put 26,000 miles on my car and believe this is not an item that should be replaced with such frequency.”
NHTSA complaint #10072529, filed 2004-05Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 7% |
| 2016 | 9 | 10% |
| 2015 | 50 | 18% |
| 2014 | 64 | 28% |
| 2013 | 295 | 50% |
| 2012 | 17 | 22% |
| 2011 | 25 | 13% |
| 2010 | 41 | 20% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 35 | 20% |
| 2007 | 5 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% |
| 2004 | 13 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% |
| 2002 | 18 | 1% |
| 2001 | 20 | 2% |
| 2000 | 29 | 2% |
| 1999 | 106 | 12% |
| 1998 | 40 | 7% |
| 1997 | 59 | 8% |
| 1996 | 101 | 12% |
| 1995 | 39 | 3% |
| 1994 | 26 | 3% |
| 1993 | 57 | 4% |
| 1992 | 56 | 8% |
| 1991 | 76 | 12% |
| 1990 | 51 | 13% |
| 1989 | 53 | 9% |
| 1988 | 26 | 8% |
| 1987 | 21 | 8% |
| 1986 | 9 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Taurus
111 complaintsBrakes
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsEngine cooling
62 complaintsSuspension
59 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