Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Dt*: the contact stated while approaching a stop at 15 MPH the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle did not stop, causing a rear end collision with another vehicle. The brake pedal went to the floor and was spongy. Seat belts were in use and minor injuries were sustained by both the contact and passenger. There was a police report filed and the vehicle was towed. The insurance inspector has not disclosed the cause of the accident. The manufacturer was not alerted.
When applied brakes, the pedal went to the floor which caused extended stopping distance. This could result in an accident. Dealer has been notified. Ph on another occasion, the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle did not stop this time causing an accident.
While driving approximately 30mph on exit ramp brakes failed completely, resulting in an accident. Vehicle was checked by dealer ,who stated that brakes were fine. Consumer was scared to drive vehicle.
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. I researched online, and it appears that there is a faulty cruise control cable that sticks to the throttle and leaves it open. I once again contacted Ford for an estimate to replace the cruise control cable. The service advisor stated that there was no such thing as a cruise control cable. …
Heat/vibration of engine caused plastic vacuum elbow to break. This caused loss of vacuum to brake booster and loss of brakes. Customer ran into brick wall. We are vehicle investigators/engineers for insurance companies. Normal vibration and heat caused this failure. I would recommend some kind of strain relief or a superior material for this important part. This elbow connects main manifold vacuum to a vacuum manifold mounter on left side firewall. This manifold feeds the vacuum systems for the vehicle and the power brake booster (Bosch unit). Resultaing in loss of manifold vacuum caused the engine management system to surge and idle poorly. There were no broken or fatigued engine mounts to cause unwarranted stress on this plastic elbow. It appears that plastic elbow is made from pvc. …
Cruise control will not hold the vehicle at a set speed when going down hill. Vehicle continues to accelerate well beyond preset speed. Vehicle will accelerate 15 MPH over preset speed. Brakes rotors warp constantly. Rotors have been resurfaced or replaced over 5 times. Engine speed will not decrease when accelerator pedal is not released. Dealer claim all Taurus with 3.0l duratic engines have this problem. They claim no technical bulletins have been issued to resolve any of these issues. This requires constant braking and certainly contributes to accelerated brake wear and possibly the rotors warping so often. All of these problems have been reported to the dealership and none have been resolved. NHTSA has countless complaints in your electric files regarding these same issues, yet no recalls have been issued. Why? **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**751827
Brakes: front brake rotors continue to warp in short amount of time. Since purchasing vehicle on 26 feb 99, with 14622 miles on it, I have had to replace the front brake disc rotors 3 times and also haved them turned (cut) 3 times. This time (August 03) I have had them done by a mechanic. At least 40% of the mileage that I have placed on the vehicle has been highway mileage. Other: vehicle day time running lights control module is faulty. This happened aprox. 2 years ago. Shortly after receiving the vehicle from dealer, which was delivered do to a recall, my daytime running lights became very dime and were of no basic use. Upon returning the vehicle to the dealer, it was first stated that my vehicle did not have dytime running lights, once this problem was fixed, they then identified the problem to some elctronic control module. …
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. I don't understand this,as this metal rotted from the inside-out,as though it never went thru a rust prevention bath process. My friends are current Ford people or,like myself,are retired Ford people,they said Taurus veh. Cant have this extreme problem,but I do. Thanks for asking.
Consumer stated when the brakes were applied, the pedal traveled to the floor,which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance. Dealer notified. Consumer was traveling approx. 50 MPH approaching an intersection, he applied the brakes but the pedal went to the floor. Consumer pumped the brakes 2-3 times and the pedal continued to go to the floor. Then he quickly down shifted the automatic transmission to first gear and applied the emergency brake. This caused the vehicle to stop just short of the intersection. After 10 miles, the brakes were working normal. Three people were in the vehicle at that time.
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.
Brake complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 15% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Taurus brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to brakes 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.