Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 recently bought a 1998 Ford Taurus with 49,000 miles on it. It has an intermittent problem with the interior lights. After I get in the car and drive off, the vehicle sometimes thinks that my drivers door is still open. The door is ajar light on the instrument panel remains lit and the interior lights stay on for some time. I can manually turn off the dome light but the under-dash lights stay on. I don't notice it during the day but it is somewhat distracting at night. The door-open detector is no longer a button but is instead some sort of electronic sensor built into the hinge-spring mechamism for the door. It will also not allow me to lock the drivers door. I hit the automatic locks button and all four doors lock then the drivers door unlocks all by itself. I've had the vehicle for about a month and this has happened twice now. …
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.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the third brake light lens located on the hatch of the vehicle, separated and fell into oncoming traffic without warning. No injuries were sustained, and the police were not alerted. The dealer and manufacturer were alerted.
Both headlight lenses are clouded, discolored and have moisture on the inside. The headlight system is supposed to be a sealed unit. The consumer indicated that this problem causes poor visibility while driving at night.
First the interior light stayed on for hours. We were in the act of moving to la. I called the1-800 number in owner's manual. Was told problem used to exist with Mercury but not with Taurus. Are not the two cars the same, except for the namesassigned to them? At any rate,I was told to pull out bulb or get to panel for fuse. I pulled out bulb. Then the turbo component in engine gave out after I arrived in la. Aamco had to tow it away because, at best, it lurched forward or backward a few feet. Aamco replaced turbo unit for 1400.00 they replaced bulb interior. Within a week the old problem started again. The light would not go off, the doors would not automatically lock, and another problem stared--the symbol for a door not closed would stay on. No matter if I re-re-re- closed the doors. I took it back to aamco. They said to take it to a shop that specialized in this problem. …
Vehicle returned driectly after purchase for non-functional tail light which was replaced. Condensation was present in tail light. Bulb alone was changed. Light failed again in June of 2001. Dealer inspected car and fixed light by changing lens. Upon delivery of car tail light still did not work even though vehicle received new nys inspection sticker. Car kept additional days. At this point only lens was changed, bulb has not been checked, but car passed inspection. Charge was 224.70 for a new lens without repair being completed. Dealer rep stated that silicone caulk could have been applied to stop leak and new lens was not necessary. Metro Ford then cleaned a "corroded light socket" for no charge. This should have been done before lens change and not price gouged consumer. Also how can car pass inspection w/o tail lights. This is a violation of nys inspection law at least. …
The door ajar switch stayed on prohibiting the power locks to perform and keep the dome light on. When trying the lock the door with the power lock switch on the door console, the doors would unlock as the door ajar sensor read a door was open. When discussing this with coastal Ford, the repair is was not covered. I contacted Ford at [phone]. I was told by essence, the problem with not considered a recall; therefore, I am not entitled to the reimbursement. I paid coastal Ford $101.34 for this repair. I saw another Ford vehicle come in with this same complaint. I have heard the same complaint by other Ford owners. Please advise if this is a common complaint and if there is any recourse to receiving compensation. Thank you.
The headlights on the 1998 Ford Taurus are extremely insufficient regarding the quantity and quality of illumination. This is a result of poor headlight reflector design. Other Taurus owners I have talked with expressed the same grave concern about the headlights. I've driven a 2000 Ford focus, which did not exhibit the same problem. My previous car, a 1996 Ford contour, had excellent headlights. The lights on the Taurus are easily "over driven" at any speed over 35 m.p.h. At night. This results in a dangerous situation for the Taurus driver and passengers. Can you investigate this problem? I believe that Ford should offer an improved replacement headlight for dealer retrofit to correct this very hazardous safety deficit.
My door ajar lights keep coming on even though the doors are all shut. Sometimes I am able to open and close a door and the light will go out, but other times the light stays on no matter what you do. The dome light will stay on due to this and you have to take the bulb out in order to drive especially at night. This has been an ongoing problem for quite awhile now and no one is able to find the cause of the problem. I have already had to replace the alternator and two batteries which I believe to be caused from this problem. I would like to know if there is a defect since there are several complaints on the same issue and if so will the dealer find and fix the problem at no cost to me?
My door latch and/or 'door ajar' light latch is not working, my interior lights stay on all the time and my battery stays run down(I've had to replace it once already), and not only is it hard to drive at night with the interior lights on, it is dangerous. Please get back to me on this. Thank you, ms. [redacted]. Frame. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Headlight complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the lights of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 5% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Taurus headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-028 (headlights, Feb 10, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Taurus headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.