RoadVitals

1998 Ford Taurus Sho

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Jan 27, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 1, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Ford Taurus Sho, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine535.7%
  • Powertrain (other)214.3%
  • Suspension214.3%
  • Transmission214.3%
  • Seat belts17.1%
  • Brakes17.1%
  • Body & structure17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
16E026000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

Apr 1, 2016
49,635 units potentially affected
The defect: Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
The risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
Robert Bosch LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Transmission
Filed Jan 27, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS SHO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON HAD CONSTANTLY BEEN GOING ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED NOR HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10379323
Incident
Jan 27, 2011
Mileage
135,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 7, 2007

I OWN A 1998 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON. THE REAR SEAT BELTS LAP AND BOTH SHOULDERS HAVE GOTTEN JAMMED IN THE SIDE COMPARTMENTS TWICE AND WERE UNUSABLE. I HAD IT REAPAIRED ONCE AT NO COST AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. BOTH REAR DOOR PANELS ARE COMING APART ALSO. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WHERE DOOR STARTED TO SEPARATE. I BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FOR $300.00 AND UP EACH SEATBELT. I EXPLAINED IT WAS A SAFTEY ISSUE AND THEY SIMPLY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AND RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE. I HAPPENED TO COME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE AND DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME GET THIS REPAIR DONE. I CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AT THIS TIME AND I CAN NOT TRANSPORT MORE THEN 1 PERSON IN THE REAR SEAT, ONLY IN THE MIDDLE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
10192702
Incident
Jun 1, 2002
Body & structureBrakesEngine+2 more
Filed Sep 7, 2005
Crash reported

BRAKE LINE CORROSION AND SEPARATION CAUSING FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. RESULTING IN ALSO FRONT SWAY AND LINK BAR DAMAGE. NO BRAKES. FRONT SWAY BARS BREAK WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED A CERTAIN DEGREE. FRONT MIDDLE OF HOOD ON ALL TAURUS SEEM TO LOSE THE PAINT DO TO ROCK OR DEBRIS BEING ABLE TO BOUNCE ON THE BUMPER AND HIT CENTER. I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 50 TAURUS'S MISSING PAINT IN THE SAME AREA. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER FOUR TRIPS TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER. WATER HOLDING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WILL CRACK UNDER EXTREME OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT.*JB

NHTSA ID
10135744
Incident
Aug 28, 2005
Suspension
Filed Jan 6, 2005

MY 1998 FORD TAURUS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM EXACTLY AS THE RECALL STATES FOR THE 1999 FORD TAURUS RE: THE SPRING COIL BREAKING AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE. THIS RESULTED IN A FLAT TIRE, COIL, SPRING, AND MOUNT REPAIR, AS WELL AS A TOW AND RENTAL CAR. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE IT HAPPEN IN MY DRIVEWAY INSTEAD OF ON THE INTERSTATE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DEATH OF MY CHILD AND SELF. IT CAUSED AND IMMEDIATE BLOW OUT OF MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. I AM VERY ANGRY THAT I HAVE BEEN WATCHING FOR REPORTS ON POSSIBLE INVESTIGATIONS ON THE YEAR AND PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND NONE!!!! AMAZING THAT IT HAPPENS IN 1999 MAKES, BUT NOT 1998. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS MATTER AS I KNOW IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER 1998S. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ANTICIPATED COOPERATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10105839
Incident
Jun 9, 2004
Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2004

NO FAILURE, THE CAR IS A 1998 FORD TAURUS SHO. THE OWNER PREVIOUS OF ME SPENT $13000 REPLACING THE ENGINE DUE TO A CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILURE IN AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE. I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION AS TO WHAT THE NHTSA IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS. I HAVE MANY SOURCES FROM A CAR CLUB WITH OVER 400 DOCUMENTED CAMSHAFT FAILURES IN THESE CARS. THAT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE NUMBER THAT HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THIS PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE SOON ABOUT THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF PEOPLE WHO WORK EVERYDAY AND THEIR ENGINE BLOWS UP AND THEY HAVE TO DISH OUT 15000 DOLLARS WHICH FORD DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SEARCH THE WEB FOR FORD TAURUS V8 SHO CAMSHAFT FAILURES AND YOU WILL HAVE A VERY LONG LIST.*AK

NHTSA ID
10100833
Incident
Mar 4, 2003
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 13, 2003

POSSIBLE CAM FAILURE RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE LOST IF NOT FOR ALL FOUR CAMSHAFTS WELDED THIS DAY FOR THE COST OF $600. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041692
Incident
May 23, 2003
Mileage
49,980 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 20, 2003

CAM SPROCKET FAILURE ON FORD TAURUS V8 SHO. *JB

NHTSA ID
10010782
Incident
Jan 20, 2003
Mileage
85,757 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2003

THERE WERE TWO COPIES OF CONSUMERS REPORT (BOUND IN FOLDERS). RESPONDED TO REPORT OF DEFECTIVE ENGINE CAMSHAFTS IN 1998 FORD TAURUS SHO VEHICLES. SENT A VOQ TO THE CONSUMER FOR FUTURE USE. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
568316

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

03144

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING CONDITION WITH COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS MAY BE MORE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED USING THE OPTIONAL WORLDWIDE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (WDS) COIL ON PLUG (COP) KIT. 2003 SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

00E11

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

SERVICE ACTION 00E11, SUPPLEMENT #1 - UPDATE INFORMATION REGARDING ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM UPGRADE. *TT

00E11

EQUIPMENT

SERVICE ACTION BULLETIN REGARDING ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM UPGRADE. *TT

13802

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL (ICP) ILLUMINATION. *MJS

13381

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT REGARDING SERVICE TIP FOR SUN VISOR BRACKET BREAKAGE. *TT

99126

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH SPARK KNOCK; ROLLING IDLE; AND / OR MISFIRE CODES STORED IN MEMORY. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Taurus Sho by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999211149.1
1998Viewing101040.1
1997301045.0
1996241044.7
1995930—
1994112058.5
1993142051.5
1992300—
1991100—
1990400—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.