Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
While trying to back out of our garage, the front left spring coil in our 1998 Ford Taurus broke and punctured the tire, causing a blow out. In researching the NHTSA website I learned that the 1993 Ford Taurus, 1998 Ford contour, and 1998 Mercury mystique were recalled for the same problem. I also found a complaint indicating the same problem in the 1998 and 1999 Ford Taurus. This appears to be a chronic problem, and I feel fortunate the incident did not occur, as in other reported cases, while traveling at highway speeds. The dealer and Ford motor company were informed of his problem but have made no efforts to contact me regarding this safety issue. Also, I am concerned because we had reported excessive vibration of steering wheel and wobbling of the car to the dealer in October and November of 2003 but were told that our brakes were out of round. …
While driving home from the airport on May 14, 2004, my 1998 Ford Taurus experienced a broken front driver side coil spring. I was traveling approximately 40 MPH at the time. The front end of the vehicle dropped down so that the front tire was rubbing on the body of the car (generating tire smoke). I immediately pulled over to the side of the road to survey the damage. It was evident that if I drove the car any farther even more damage would occur. Unfortunately, this breakdown occurred in a local prison area where posted signs warn people not to pick up hitch hikers. This made it challenging for me to find someone who would let me use their phone to call a tow truck. I had the car towed to a local garage to get it back roadworthy. To make that happen, I had to purchase 2 new coil springs, 2 new front struts, a new strut mount, 2 new front sway bar links, and a front end alignment. …
While backing out of our garage, the right front tire blew. The tire was sliced all around on the inside and was in two pieces. This vehicle has 4 new tires and I thought the tire had to be a defect. A local garage came to my house to change it with a spare studded tire that was in good condition. I drove 2 feet when that tire blew. It was obvious that it wasn't the tires. I had to have my vehicle towed to a garage. The mechanic had to replace the front right suspension spring coil and strut mount. He also replaced the left one; it was about ready to snap. I researched this problem on the internet and noticed that Ford motor company had recalls on the front suspension coil springs for the 1997 and 1999 vehicles, but not 1998. I contacted Ford motor company for any recalls for this vehicle year, as they had recalls on the previous year and year after. …
While traveling out of town, had the left front coil spring break on my 1998 Taurus station wagon, destroying the tire. Repair shop told me there was a recall on something similar, contacted local Ford dealer who said the recall only covered 1999 - 2001 ones. Had both front springs and tire replaced, along with an alignment. After returning home, I checked out the details of the recall on the NHTSA website. Interesting to see that I wasn't the only one with a 98 that had the same problem as was covered under the recall program. Contacted Ford customer service directly, they told me there wasn't anything they could do since my car was not in the recall. Contacted my local Ford dealer, who said he would talk to the district service rep to see if Ford would cover my repair costs. Rep said that they would not cover the repairs. …
Front coil springs broke twice in six months on 1998, Ford, Taurus. I looked up recall information on the Ford web site. I found out that there was a recall on 1999-2001 for the coil springs breaking. So I called customer support line and explained what the problem was. They said that there was nothing that they could do,they would put in a complaint. So I expressed my concerns about if im driving down the highway with my kids in the car and my tire explodes would they worry about it. Then?they said there was nothing that they could do,I have to just keep getting it fixed, and wait and see if a recall comes out. So I was wondering if there was anything that you people could do about this problem that I'm having with Ford. Thank you.
On Saturday, March 11,2006, I parked my car in my carport at 7 pm, having driven 30 miles that day with no problems. It remained there until Monday morning, March 13, 2006, when I discovered a flat front left tire. The aaa tower noticed the tire was completely destroyed by a coil which had broken off from the spring, preventing him from releasing the tire from the wheel. The Ford dealer said my car was not included in the recall. However, my car clearly had the same problem. The spring break was clean, there was no rust, and there had been no provocation to cause a break. Had I been driving, there could have been a major accident. The repair bill was $875.00 to replace the front springs and struts and tire. The tower, Ford dealer and both repair mechanics examined the coil that broke off. I do not have the part.
My 1998 Ford Taurus experienced the driver side spring breaking and shooting into the tire flattening it while attempting to back up. I went less than an inch when the tire completely deflated. The car was towed and repaired including 2 front struts,1 set front coil springs ,1 upper strut mount, 2 front sway bar links, and tire with frontend alignment. When my husband contacted Ford motor co. After the recall for 1999, 2000, and 2001 models he was told my car was not included in the recall, so there was nothing they could do but turn it in as an incident for futher investigation.had I been on the interstae etc this could have killed me, my family or many others. There were no known problems or noises etc prior to this event. I have also had to have the ball joint on that side of the car replaced since that incident.
I was pulling out of my drive way and my coil spring on my 1998 Ford Taurus went threw my front right tire. Luckily I was only pulling out of my drive way. This could have been very serious, just two days before I was driving to syracuse and going 70mph on the freeway, I would have more then likely died due to this. Now Ford knows there is a defect in the coils in there cars but yet has done little to fix it or help people. Now I am out 600 plus dollars because I had to replace my tire and pay for a whole new coil sping assembly for both sides on the front of my car. All I want is for Ford to take responsibility and be held responsible for this and these faulty coil spings and for me to get my money back.
While backing out of my driveway I heard a grinding noise and my tire suddenly went flat. Removed the tire and saw that right coil spring broke puncturing the entire inner sidewall of the tire. The car was towed to the dealer who first said that all expenses would be covered including the tire due Ford's recall for the exact same problem with their Taurus. Then the service manager told me that my car was not covered under the recall because it's a 1998 Taurus. It is plain to see there is a defect in the coil spring. This is the same exact problem the the 1999 -2001 Ford Taurus' recall. I'm surprised that Ford will not stand behind this problem with their 1998 models.
Our county agency purchased two Ford Taurus vehicles new, in 1998 and 1999. At the end of February 2003 within one week of each other the drivers side front coil springs fractured and punctured the tire. In research I have discovered there were recalls in 1998 on the 1993 Ford Taurus and in 2001 on the 1998 Ford contour and Mercury mystique, however I see no recalls concerning this problem with the 1998 and 1999 Ford Taurus. I would appreciate an investigation into this concern with the 1998 and 1999 Ford Taurus. I believe there is an obvious problem with the coil springs on these vehicles as well. Thank you.
Suspension complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 11% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is front › springs › coil springs (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Taurus suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.