Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought the vehicle from this company. I expect that all parts be in safe working condition... I was in an automobile accident June 3, 2005 in which while traveling about 50 MPH my car struck the side of a Ford truck that had pulled out perpendicular into my lane. My car was wedged beneath the truck and the front end was demolished while the dash has evidence of moving back as well including the bruises on my knees and leg. My car was determined "totaled" and I am in therapy for my injuries to include portions of my body from head to toe. My airbag did not deploy!!! The vehicle was sold to me in less than safe driving condition as the airbag was one of many reasons I agreed to buy the car. Ford should not allow the resale of their product unless it is safe.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Taurus. While driving at an unknown speed, the horn became inoperable and the service engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,230.
Dt: consumer was driving through mcdonalds when brakes failed, and pedal went to the floor. Consumer looked out of car and saw brake fluid on ground. Consumer walked to garage, and was told brake line was bent which caused it to rust. Brake line was located on driver's side. Consumer was told brake line went from front tire to rear tire. When brake went out the air bag light came on. Light was yellow with picture of air bag deployed. Also, consumer noticed that dash in vehicle on driver's side was separating.
I was disengaging cruise control which was set at 62 MPH to deaccelerate on a decline to maneuver curves in road. I applied brakes and they did not respond. Car actually started to accelerate resulting in a crash against a guard rail. Air bags failed to deploy and resulted in two injuries although not severe
Although I have stated my vehicle was going at a low MPH, the vehicle that hit my back passanger side was going at about 45 MPH for impact, at which point my car was sent spinning around, and both airbags did not deploy. My car was still running when it came to a stop and I had to manually shut it off.
Consumer's wife was in involved in an accident which totaled the vehicle. Vehicle was struck on the driver's side front headlight, caused the vehicle to spin around and push the rear trunk lid into the vehicle, which struck the consumer's wife vehicle. Both air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified.
While driving 30mph & another vehicle entering from side road in front of Taurus,stopped. Driver of Taurus applied brakes quickly, but they failed and rearended vehicle in front. Upon impact with other vehicle, dual air bags failed to deploy. Driver suffered head & leg bruises.
Passenger's side air bag deployed unexpectedly, causing the vehicle not to respond to any of its function. Also, brakes and transmission shifter failed; and key was stuck in the ignition, causing the vehicle to coast into a tree and then flip over. Dealer has been contacted.
During bad weather conditions (rain mixed with snow) driver applied brakes & vehicle would not slow down, causing loss of control which resulted in ancollision. Upon impact, both airbags did no deploy which could have caused injury. Also, steering failure.
On 01-19-01 subject vehicle was traveling at approximately 35mph when it struck the rear bumper of another vehicle. Though my vehicle suffered substantial front end damage, neither the front driver side nor the passenger side airbag deployed.
Airbag complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 7% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Taurus airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1998 Ford Taurus, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Taurus airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 31 crashes, 0 fires and 26 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.