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1998 Ford Taurus acceleration problems

112 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 15 crashes reported.

owner complaints
112
of this car's complaints
21%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
15
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Accelerator pedal
    12
  • Linkages
    9
  • Cruise control
    4
  • Cables
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Taurus acceleration problems in other years

199019952000200520102017

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Ford Taurus acceleration

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Sudden acceleration 24

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1998 Ford Taurus owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

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 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.

Filed Jan 4, 2013 · Acceleration · 120,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that when shifting from reverse to park or from drive to park, the vehicle would rapidly accelerate. The engine rpms increased excessively and the contact shifted into park as he turned the engine off in order to stop the failure. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed May 31, 2012 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact was driving 10 MPH when the throttle became stuck, causing the vehicle to abnormally accelerate without warning. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into neutral and applying the brakes. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer to have the cruise and throttle cable replaced but the dealer did not have the necessary parts. The dealer lubricated the components but that did not remedy the issue. The contact also replaced the cruise control module but to no avail. The contact had experienced the failure numerous times. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 07/25/12*lj the consumer stated the vehicle would accelerate on its own. Each time, the accelerator pedal would go down on its own, and the consumer had no way of controlling the vehicle. As the consumer stepped on the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to go faster. The dealer fixed the problem. However, it returned months later. The dealer informed the consumer, parts were no longer being made. They sprayed the cables, but the sudden acceleration returned weeks later. Updated 07/25/12

Filed Apr 12, 2012 · Acceleration · 110,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle has had two incidents that may be related to faulty acceleration. Perhaps you need to investigate older ford taurus for problems currently under review on 2006, etc. Dates and mileage are approx. I do not have reports available. Vehicle had speed control. While attempting to park the accelerator suddenly revved up when I hit the brakes. Happened so suddenly the car went out of control bounced over parking lot bump and hit other vehicles causing damages to those as well as my vehicle and injury to me as well as cost me a ticket. That was in 2006 as I recall. In january, 2009 or december, 2008 the accelerator suddenly revved up again when I was pulling into traffic from a parking lot on to the highway. I shut off the engine and volunteers helped push the vehicle off the road. I had it towed and have had it stored in my driveway since. No one has ever scanned, etc. To determine what was wrong. Is it safe to even sell to anyone? Mileage for the second incident was approx. 147000. I have a mandate from the city to remove the vehicle by may, 2012 or face fines therefore if you need anything test needs done before then. Message phone only included.

Filed Mar 25, 2010 · Acceleration · 112,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle would accelerate and then decelerate for approximately a quarter mile. The driver was able to safely drive the vehicle home at very low speeds. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer when the complaint was filed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 112,000.

Filed May 9, 2008 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · GA

On a couple of occasions, after I brought my 1998 ford taurus to full stop, with the gear in park, the engine continued to accelerate rapidly, very rapidly. I am taking it to my mechanic to check out.

Filed Sep 16, 2007 · Acceleration · 75,615 miles · ME

Two separate times brought vehicle to normal stop and engine began to race on its own. Had to keep brakes applied full strength. Rpm were approx 2000 to 2500. Had to shut the engine off both times to stop the surging.

Filed Aug 9, 2006 · Acceleration, Seats · 73,990 miles · MD · crash · 3 injuries

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably to 20 MPH while in reverse which resulted in a collision. The vehicle's transmission was put in reverse to back into a parking spot when full acceleration engaged. The vehicle went over an embankment and collided with a tree. The vehicle kept accelerating after the collision until the contact shut the ignition off. The throttle control was not controllable with braking. The fire department was contacted and extracted the 3 injured passengers from the rear window. The manufacturer was not contacted and a police report was taken. Updated 09/15/06.

Filed Jun 14, 2006 · Acceleration · 53,000 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated while the brake pedal is depressed the vehicle accelerates at various speeds. An independent repair shop determined the throttle sensor control needs to be replaced.

Questions about the 1998 Ford Taurus acceleration

Does the 1998 Ford Taurus have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 112 complaints about the acceleration of the 1998 Ford Taurus, 21% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Ford Taurus acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Taurus acceleration?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Taurus have the most acceleration problems?

The Ford Taurus model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2005 (529 complaints), 2006 (176 complaints) and 2004 (164 complaints).

Other 1998 Ford Taurus problems

Brakes 81Transmission 69Engine 64Suspension 59Steering 40Airbags 39Electrical 34Lights 29Seat belts 28Body 22Visibility 17Fuel system 13Tires 10Locks 7Seats 7Wheels 5

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