Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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.
Consumer turned the vehicle on and let the engine idle while parked in the driveway. Approximately 15 minutes later the vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The fire damageed total the vehicle. How the fire started? Was not determined.
While driving consumer noticed smoke coming out of the air vents on the dashboard. Consumer pulled over and exited the vehicle. The entire vehicle went up in flames within seconds. No warning lights came on prior to the smoke and flames.
I'm not sure why this problem is happening. Whenever I push the button to let my windows up, turn off my read defrost, or hold any buttons too long the battery light will flash. I was driving down the highway and I turned off my rear defrost and my battery light flashed, then my head lights went out and my car almost shut down, then the lights came back on. The next day, it was night time, and I saw another Taurus do the same thing. Being that time is changing and I need my head lights, I would hate to have an accident due to the fact I cant see. I have had my car checked to see if the alternator or battery was going out, but all the checks were good. Please help with this problem.
1998 Ford Taurus station wagon began low power acelerating at stop times 2. A third incident occured from a complete stop with foot on brakes an this time it could not be stopped with both feet on breaks. It ran for about 75 feet and then quit on its own. Took to local Ford delears ship and they could find nothing wrong with my car. I asked if this were common and was told they never heard of such thing. Keep car two days I contacted the Taurus club of americal at their web line and it seems there have been many incidents such as this and they called it surging.
The door adjar sensor light stays on. All doors are shut but light stays on.when this light is on the interior lights stay on and also the automatic door locks will not lock. This problem causes the battery to run down and also for children to be able to open car doors when moving because the doors will not lock. I have taken the bulbs from the interior out to prevent running battery down. Have not been able to replace sensors in doors.
Gear shifter does not line up correctly when in any gear. Ajar door light and inside dome light stay on and the driverside door will not lock when this happens. Also, when getting in or out of the car each passanger gets shocked if you touch one another or the doors. This has been happening for about 3 months now. This happens on a regular bases.
Whle driving consumer noticed smoke coming underneath driver's side, and from underneath hood. Consumer pulled over, and within minutes vehicle had caught on fire. Vehicle was a total loss. Investigator advises fire caused by faulty fuel lines. Damage too excessive to have been electrical.
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.
Rotor service on front end of vehicle once every year for the last two years. Dealer has been notified, however unable to remedy the problem. The consumer experienced tires shaking, clunking noise in front wheels when turning, and squeaking noise in rear end when braking. The heater and defroster make a buzzing noise, the brakes pulsate. The rear right brake and rotors failed. The service engine soon light came on. Engine makes a buzzing noise when start. The vehicle is not shift correctly. The driver door does not close properly. The vehicle would not start due to battery failure.
Electrical complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 6% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Taurus electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.