1998 Ford Taurus problems

Filed Aug 20, 2022 · Steering · IN

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. My problem is the original owner was a denior citizen who drove the car very little. She turned it over to the 2nd owner in 2016 with 66k miles on it. Had she driven the car the average for the industry this would have been covered unfer warranty. If you research this issue online you will discover Ford knew about it and its common to this car for the years stated above. The power steering pymp went out in July. We fixed that..the rack and pinion went out soon after. The pump had alteady been changed in that car before i got it, which leads me to believe the problem has been the rack and pinion for awhile. I have enclosed receits on tbe parts. My neighbor installed the pump for $80. Estimates in installing the rack and pinion are 250 to 400 in this area. Ive gone thru 75 in fluid loss bc the seal on the rack and pinion on the drivers side is blown so car keeps spitting out fluid. I tried to upload reveipts on the parts but i was unable to. The pump was approximately $84. The rack and pinion and return hoses were apprimately $200 thru Rockauto.

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Seat belts · 139,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that all four seat belts in the vehicle malfunctioned and failed to retract, which left the occupants unsecured. The vehicle was taken to bayshore ford of pennsyville (200 s. Broadway st, pennsyville, nj). The contact was informed that the manufacturer no longer produced parts for the vehicle and it could not be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 139,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 148,230 miles · TX

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.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 138,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the brakes failed completely and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure had recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the vehicle needed a rear proportioning valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 138,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 17, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 175,500 miles · CO

This is the scariest thing I have ever seen while driving my teenage son's vehicle. His vehicle would not decrease in speed. While taking off from a stop, without touching the pedal, the vehicle accelerated on its own. I have never seen a vehicle accelerate without hitting the gas pedal. This is a serious safety concern especially since its a teenagers vehicle. I see that newer tauruses had a recall for the exact same issue. Many were reporting the vehicle accelerating on its own, this is exactly what my son's did tonight. Also, when I placed his vehicle in park, the vehicle revved up to 4000 RPM's like someone was hitting the gas. I had to shut the car off before it blew the engine. It was nerve racking. This is likely to cause a serious injury of death to my child.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Visibility · 177,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that the heater was not working in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 177,000. Updated 10/30/14

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle made a jerking motion and failed to accelerate properly. The failure recurred multiple times and at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Transmission · 260,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle started to roll away. As a result, the contact had to depress the brake pedal quickly and shift into park. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 260,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2013 · Body · 66,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that he noticed the vinyl on the dashboard was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 140,920 miles · TX

While applying the brake to stop at a light on a highway access road, the vehicle had trouble stopping. It started violently jerking and vibrating and the brakes were all the way to the floor. The RPM's read in the 4's. I pulled over and in a parking lot, the vehicle rapidly reached 45 MPH without stepping on the gas pedal. I was reluctant to have it reach a greater speed so I stopped the vehicle. It once again did not want to respond properly to the brakes. I called ford and eplained the sudden acceleration and the vehicle difficulty in stopping, there are no recalls. I researched online, and it appears that there is a faulty cruise control cable that sticks to the throttle and leaves it open. I once again contacted ford for an estimate to replace the cruise control cable. The service advisor stated that there was no such thing as a cruise control cable. I called the parts department and they said that part is aftermarket and is no longer available. This is a very dangerous situation. I was reading the aol vehicle complaints on this and accidents have occured and people have been injured. I don't know why ford does not recognize this serious safet issue in a timely manner.