1998 Ford Taurus Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 4%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 4% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My family owns a 1998 Ford Taurus se which has been unable to pass inspection due to severe rust on the sub-frame where the k-member bolts to the car, as well as complete rust out under factory installed plastic rocker panel shields. We have been told by our mechanic that the engine k-member could fail during driving conditions if the vehicle were driven through another pennsylvania winter.”
NHTSA complaint #10379267, filed 2011-01, 118,290 miles“After driving about a mile, the air conditioning stopped and black smoke came out of the hood. Stopped the car and thought of opening the hood but saw flames. Three adults and two children (5 and 2 yrs old) got out of the car. Called police and fire service. By the time they arrive, the car was in flames. The engine and front row seats were totally burnt. The car was a total loss. There was no way to determine the reason for the (mysterious) fire. This happened in miami, florida.”
NHTSA complaint #10472395, filed 2012-08, 70,000 miles“Applied brakes while stopped in parking lot,pedal went to floor,all brake fluid now under car. Unable to lift car,no metal existed from floorpan to rocker panel bottom. Brake lines had been affixed to this metal,and now had lost support/mounting place and vibrated and fell apart. The outside of the car looked almost new,but the plastic trim on the lower sill hid the problem outside. Now,the door sill(both sides)are getting so bad,we are afraid to step on them,or go over a bad bump or railroad track. …”
NHTSA complaint #10475398, filed 2012-09, 102,000 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“There is a snapping and cracking noise whenever the steering wheel is turned. The entire front frame rusted because of the bad metal used by the factory. The manufacturer will be contacted. The front frame was not built properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10099388, filed 2005-01, 61,000 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 11 | 21% |
| 2017 | 7 | 16% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 2% |
| 2013 | 12 | 2% |
| 2012 | 16 | 20% |
| 2011 | 12 | 6% |
| 2010 | 11 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 15 | 5% |
| 2005 | 22 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 5% |
| 2003 | 111 | 9% |
| 2002 | 54 | 4% |
| 2001 | 38 | 4% |
| 2000 | 33 | 3% |
| 1999 | 19 | 2% |
| 1998 | 22 | 4% |
| 1997 | 25 | 3% |
| 1996 | 40 | 5% |
| 1995 | 55 | 5% |
| 1994 | 64 | 7% |
| 1993 | 69 | 4% |
| 1992 | 67 | 10% |
| 1991 | 62 | 10% |
| 1990 | 68 | 18% |
| 1989 | 66 | 12% |
| 1988 | 51 | 15% |
| 1987 | 34 | 13% |
| 1986 | 17 | 17% |
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 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