1998 Ford Taurus Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 111about this part
- Share
- 20%of 545 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 20% of the 545 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 15 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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“While applying the brake to stop at a light on a highway access road, the vehicle had trouble stopping. It started violently jerking and vibrating and the brakes were all the way to the floor. The RPM's read in the 4's. I pulled over and in a parking lot, the vehicle rapidly reached 45 MPH without stepping on the gas pedal. I was reluctant to have it reach a greater speed so I stopped the vehicle. It once again did not want to respond properly to the brakes. I called Ford and eplained the sudden acceleration and the vehicle difficulty in stopping, there are no recalls. …”
NHTSA complaint #10499523, filed 2013-02, 140,920 miles“On a couple of occasions, after I brought my 1998 Ford Taurus to full stop, with the gear in park, the engine continued to accelerate rapidly, very rapidly. I am taking it to my mechanic to check out.”
NHTSA complaint #10227174, filed 2008-05, 90,000 miles“Vehicle has had two incidents that may be related to faulty acceleration. Perhaps you need to investigate older Ford Taurus for problems currently under review on 2006, etc. Dates and mileage are approx. I do not have reports available. Vehicle had speed control. While attempting to park the accelerator suddenly revved up when I hit the brakes. Happened so suddenly the car went out of control bounced over parking lot bump and hit other vehicles causing damages to those as well as my vehicle and injury to me as well as cost me a ticket. That was in 2006 as I recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10455019, filed 2012-04, 110,000 miles“I have a 1998 Ford Taurus station wagon. On 5 occasions the car went into a sudden acceleration while I was stopped with my foot on the brake or while I was slowing down to stop. In each case I would press hard on the brake in order to hold the car and immediately shift out of gear. In the first two incidents, brake pressure would hold the car until I got it out of gear. In the later incidents brake pressure would only slow the forward motion. The engine rush was so great that the car would not stop until it was out of gear. On 2 of these 5 occasions I narrowly avoided an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082452, filed 2004-07, 50,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 3% |
| 2012 | 4 | 5% |
| 2011 | 14 | 7% |
| 2010 | 24 | 12% |
| 2009 | 10 | 16% |
| 2008 | 32 | 18% |
| 2007 | 55 | 37% |
| 2006 | 176 | 55% |
| 2005 | 529 | 68% |
| 2004 | 164 | 44% |
| 2003 | 88 | 7% |
| 2002 | 76 | 5% |
| 2001 | 99 | 10% |
| 2000 | 87 | 7% |
| 1999 | 109 | 12% |
| 1998 | 111 | 20% |
| 1997 | 58 | 8% |
| 1996 | 42 | 5% |
| 1995 | 85 | 7% |
| 1994 | 61 | 7% |
| 1993 | 57 | 4% |
| 1992 | 49 | 7% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
| 1990 | 30 | 8% |
| 1989 | 23 | 4% |
| 1988 | 16 | 5% |
| 1987 | 15 | 6% |
| 1986 | 5 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Taurus
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 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 30, 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