Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 travelling to work on Friday morning, December 5, I had just accessed interstate 65 north and had travelled on it for approximately 2 miles. I had reached my normal cruising speed of 80 MPH when I began to cross the bridge over the tennessee river. On the downside of the bridge, I had no warning when all of a sudden my transmission ceased to function. Due to the speed I was travelling, I was able to coast until I exited the bridge. After approximately 1/4 a mile, I safely pulled the vehicle over into the emergency lane and came to a stop. I proceeded to check all the gears to determine if the transmission had completely failed. Unfortunately, it had. There was absolutely no warning to the transmission failure. There was no noise, no jerk, no anything. The vehicle has approximately 135,000 miles on it, and I ensure that routine service is performed on it. …
1998 Ford Taurus would occasionally not move from a complete stop. This happened four times between November 2002 and the present. After the fourth time (May 2, 2003), the vehicle was taken to the local Ford dealership. They stated that the transmission would have to be replaced at a cost of $2800. The vehicle was taken to an independent transmission shop for a second opinion. They found metal shavings in the pan and burnt mercon v. Total cost for rebuilding the transmission was $1400-$1800. This is a preliminary estimate since the shop has to determine the amount of damage inside the transmission. The vehicle was not used for trailer towing or racing. Engine is the Duratec v6 and the total mileage is 64077. This is to me a serious concern since a vehicle should last at least 100,000 miles without a major failure as what has happened. …
As I was pulling away from my driveway about 5 MPH I heard a loud noise between hood and front seats. I soon realised that when I steped on the acceleration pedal the car won't go foward. I parked the car immidiately and turned off waited for a couple of minutes I got off from the car and I personally inpected the car from the exterior of the motor, and underneath of it and no oil was spilled (motor or transmission). I turned the car back on steped on the break and shifted to drive, and steped on accelaration pedal, but car wont move. I alo tryed reverse and did not move aswell. When u putted the car into 2nd gear it took a couple of seconds for the car to move. I also tryed 1st. Gear and it did not move as well.
My son is away at college and was driving our 1998 Ford Taurus se with less than 100,000 miles. In the middle of driving the car just stopped and would not go into gear. From reading other complaints this seems to be a transmission defect in the Ford Taurus. We have been the owners of this vehicle since being purchased new off the dealer lot. Cost to fix this transmission problem is prohibitive and makes no financial sense given the current kbb value. Ford needs to recall these vehicles and correct the defect. Now we have our child stuck at college 3 hours away with a junk vehicle also stuck 3 hours away while still paying costly insurance on it.
Dt: 1998 Ford Taurus. The consumer states the speed sensor goes out. The vehicle will down shift while going 70 MPH. This happens at all speeds. The vehicle has been to the dealership, they insist it is an owner's problem, not a vehicle problem. They indicate the vehicle needs a new transmission. He has had all of the sensors replaced and the vehicle still behaves poorly. This problem started two weeks ago on August 1, 2005. The vehicle is currently at a local mechanic. Ford refuses to do anything other than replace the transmission or give the consumer $500 for the vehicle.
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.
My 1998 Ford Taurus has 134,000 miles and has been a good car. We have had it for 6 months. It is the only vehicle I have. All of a sudden it kicks itself out of drive when you are driving. So far we have not had an accident because of this--I quit driving it but I came very, very close to being hit by a semi-truck when it just stopped in the middle of the road. I was very lucky!! I have had numerous things done to it but it still continues to do this. I am very angry as I cannot afford to get another vehicle!!!
Took 1998 Ford Taurus (Duratec 3.0) in for cooling system flush and transmission flush. With only 54,000 miles, I was surprised to find a rear stabilizer bar was broken, and a front axle seal was leaking. Those are clearly materials defects, as we take expert care of this vehicle. I have also had problems with rotors since we drove the car off the lot. The poor quality rotors the factory installs on these cars contributes to warping, which would be noticeable by a pulsing when braking from highway speeds.
The service engine soon light came on. 2 code read internal problems with transmission - fourth gear and solenoid. Code was cleared but came back a week later. Had transmission rebuilt to the amount of over $3200. Bought 1998 Ford Taurus used in 2001 with 52000 miles - now 91400. Just wanted to make other consumers aware of this costly problem. I have had no other major problems in the 4 years of ownership.
Vehicle purchased new, 2000 miles transmission quit working was rebuilt under warranty by Ford. Transmission is out again car will not move without increasing rpms to 2,500, transmission slips and car is not drivable. Makes loud knocking sound. Estimated $2,500 rebuild needed. Head gaskets went out at 80,000 miles and were replaced for $600, this is a common problem with Taurus.
Transmission complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 69 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 13% of the model year's 545 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (47 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Taurus transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.