Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
This car only has 73k milrs on it i am the 3rd owner. The power steering and the rack and pinion failed on this car. I was driving west on Columbus Drive in East Chicago three weeks ago when my steering became so stiff it was very difficult for me to make a turn and i could have easily hit another vehicle ir been hit by another vehicle. In researching this issue and talking to a Ford mechanic the rack and pinion is a common problem in the Ford Taurus from 1996 to 2000. There should have been a nationwide recall and there was not. A mechanic that worked at Ford at the time told me 30000 vehicles were recalled but all the vehicles should have been recalled. The problem was so big they designed a special tool to deal with it. They just waited for people to ca them and they dealt with it at that time as most of the cars were still under warranty at Ford. …
When turning right at a street corner in the rain the power steering will momentarily fail. The drive belt will make a slight squeal when it re-engages. It appears that there is inadequage splash shielding inside the right hand wheel well such that water is thrown up on the drive belt and crankshaft pully by the cocked wheel. The drive belt is relatively new but the problem also occurred with the OEM belt.
My car problem happens when it rains. When I hit a puddle on the right front side the power steering does not work for several seconds, though the engine runs fine. When I hit the water it splashes up and gets the belt to the power steering pump wet and all power steering goes out for 5 to 10 seconds. This is a nightmare in traffic.
When I was turning a corner my car started to shimmy like it had a flat tire I got out to check only to find there isnt a flat tire and that my rack and pinion is gone bad on the passenger side of my car I just replaced the same part on the other side a year ago everytime the alignment goes out the rack and pinion goes bad!
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.
Turning corner at appx 20mph heard loud clonk noise unable to steer vech,rack & pinion snapped, lifted hood belt had came off wheel was on the ground, Ford mechanic told warranty rep that it was my fault because I ran low on power steering fluid. I drove a 24ft tractor and 53ft trailer combination for 6 years across the us Canada and Mexico and had to do my own maint. And minor repairs to my truck does this sound like someone that jumps in and out of a car without checking fluid levels,or doing proper maint on their vech?? I only had the vech for 38days but always keep all fluid levels checked, before this happened I would hear a low humming noise when turning the steering wheel but the powersteering fluid was at the normal level.
Consumer experiencing problem with steering; vehicle always steers to the left. Consumer took vehicle to a repair shop, and learned the vehicle was without a front camber/caster. Consumer informed dealer/manufacturer of this problem, and they informed consumer because vehicle's warranty expired they are not responsible. Consumer would like to know how can they be held responsible for vehicle not having the front camber/caster parts.
While traveling at low speed and when making a left or right turn, steering wheel will lock up and power steering goes out. Consumer states when driving at a speed of 65 MPH and slow to 10 MPH to turn right or left the steering wheel locks up completely, dealer replaced the belts but did not fix the problem.
This could have been a fatal accident I was driving at about 60 miles and all of a sudden I had lost control of wheel and was fighting to steer the car. This happened twice within a month 7/23/99 and again8/23/99. The lord was truly with me I could have had a serious accident both times.
Consumer was driving out of driveway and heard a loud grinding noise when turning vehicle to the right. She took vehicle to dealership, and they told her steering rack and pinion broke. Dealership fixed it the first time. Then, vehicle repeated the same problem.
Steering complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 7% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Taurus steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 4 injuries and 3 deaths to steering 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.