FaultScore

1998 Ford Taurus airbag problems

39 of the 680 complaints about the 1998 Ford Taurus are about the airbag system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,013 miles.

F

39

Complaints

31

Crashes

0

Fires

18

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 28 71.8%
AIR Bags 8 20.5%
Side/Window 2 5.1%
On-Off Switch Assembly 1 2.6%

Airbags across every Ford Taurus year

1990 43 5.1%
1991 57 6.7%
1992 50 5.9%
1993 65 7.7%
1994 42 5.0%
1995 62 7.3%
1996 46 5.4%
1997 42 5.0%
1998 39 4.6%
1999 40 4.7%
2000 90 10.6%
2001 66 7.8%
2002 50 5.9%
2003 49 5.8%
2004 21 2.5%
2005 28 3.3%
2006 21 2.5%
2008 15 1.8%
2010 11 1.3%
2013 11 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 148,230 miles Houston, TX

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10672756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Baltimore, MD Crash 5 injured

AIR BAGS

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THIS COMPANY. I EXPECT THAT ALL PARTS BE IN SAFE WORKING CONDITION... I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT JUNE 3, 2005 IN WHICH WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH MY CAR STRUCK THE SIDE OF A FORD TRUCK THAT HAD PULLED OUT PERPENDICULAR INTO MY LANE. MY CAR WAS WEDGED BENEATH THE TRUCK AND THE FRONT END WAS DEMOLISHED WHILE THE DASH HAS EVIDENCE OF MOVING BACK AS WELL INCLUDING THE BRUISES ON MY KNEES AND LEG. MY CAR WAS DETERMINED "TOTALED" AND I AM IN THERAPY FOR MY INJURIES TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF MY BODY FROM HEAD TO TOE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY!!! THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME IN LESS THAN SAFE DRIVING CONDITION AS THE AIRBAG WAS ONE OF MANY REASONS I AGREED TO BUY THE CAR. FORD SHOULD NOT ALLOW THE RESALE OF THEIR PRODUCT UNLESS IT IS SAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10145846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bartlett, IL Crash 1 injured 1 killed

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONT AIR BAGS ON 1998 FORD TAURUS DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD ON COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #10128772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Hatfield, KY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH MCDONALDS WHEN BRAKES FAILED, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOOKED OUT OF CAR AND SAW BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND. CONSUMER WALKED TO GARAGE, AND WAS TOLD BRAKE LINE WAS BENT WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUST. BRAKE LINE WAS LOCATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BRAKE LINE WENT FROM FRONT TIRE TO REAR TIRE. WHEN BRAKE WENT OUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. LIGHT WAS YELLOW WITH PICTURE OF AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DASH IN VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEPARATING.

NHTSA complaint #10124628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles Utica, NY Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER SLID INTO A GUARD RAIL WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH IN WET CONDITIONS. CONSUMER STRUCK THE GUARD RAIL WITH FORCE HEAD ON, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10112842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

DES Moines, IA

AIR BAGS

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING 1998 TAURUS WAGON.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM RECURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED AT THE DEALER FOR A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE AND BELIEVES THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING.

NHTSA complaint #10042700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belzoni, MS Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A THREE CAR CRASH, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10040473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Core, WV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT 25/30 MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED SLIGHT INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10034246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yardley, PA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT.

NHTSA complaint #10018218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yucca Valley, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10017512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,013 miles Baltimore, MD Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER WAS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10012091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwaukee, WI Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HILL TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND WENT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8016055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Oxford, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 TO 40 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, CONSUMER HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER CONSUMERS HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD.DRIVER WAS INJURED, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8010296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cape Griardeau, MO Crash

AIR BAGS

THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 35MPH AND REAREND ANOTHE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8008981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Humphrey, AR 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. DRIVER WAS HIT IN THE STOMACH AND REQUIRED SURGERY TO CORRECT INTERNAL INJURIES. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE REASON FOR UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint #8003554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Humphrey, AR 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN. *AK THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED INJURIES AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. IT ALSO DAMAGED THE SUNVISER AND MIRROR.

NHTSA complaint #8002728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterbury, CT Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 30MPH. UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #8001926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodbridge, VA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONTAL COLLISION AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BOTH CARS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #749874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Medford, CT Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A 1993 FORD, PROBE. AT AN IMPACT OF 45 MPH, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #890288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

ON 01-19-01 SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN IT STRUCK THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THOUGH MY VEHICLE SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE, NEITHER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #739680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, AZ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ANOTHER DRIVER HIT CONSUMER AT ABOUT 50 MPH, AND CONSUMER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #872042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Appleton, WI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ALTHOUGH I HAVE STATED MY VEHICLE WAS GOING AT A LOW MPH, THE VEHICLE THAT HIT MY BACK PASSANGER SIDE WAS GOING AT ABOUT 45 MPH FOR IMPACT, AT WHICH POINT MY CAR WAS SENT SPINNING AROUND, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP AND I HAD TO MANUALLY SHUT IT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #724847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Malvern, AR

AIR BAGS

THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM REPLACED A BATTERY ON 05/20/00. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT NEEDED A NEW AIRBAG MODULE. SINCE THIS LIGHT HAD NEVER COME ON BEFORE, I BELIEVED IT HAD TO DO WITH THE NEW BATTERY REPLACEMENT. I REFUSED THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW AIRBAG MODULE TO SEE IF THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF ON ITS OWN. AFTER THREE WEEKS IT HAS NOT. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG MODULE. MY SECOND CONCERN IS WITH THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL). THEY HAVE OCCASIONALLY GONE ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE STAYED ON AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AS WELL. I CAN MAKE THEM GO OFF BY TURNING THE HEADLAMPS ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP CAN FIND NO CAUSE FOR THIS.

NHTSA complaint #723522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM RIGHT REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR, GOING AT A SPEED OF APROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AND BOTH PASSENGER' SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEFECT WAS COSTING CONSUMER TO REINSTALL THE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA complaint #863101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arcadia, LA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

NO DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIRBAGS DURING HEAD ON IMPACT AT 35 MPH, INJURIES DUE TO FAILURE. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #9000454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arcadia, LA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NO DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS DURING FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. YH

NHTSA complaint #551111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Battle Creek, MI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 30MPH & ANOTHER VEHICLE ENTERING FROM SIDE ROAD IN FRONT OF TAURUS,STOPPED. DRIVER OF TAURUS APPLIED BRAKES QUICKLY, BUT THEY FAILED AND REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT WITH OTHER VEHICLE, DUAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED HEAD & LEG BRUISES.

NHTSA complaint #853701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leetonia, OH Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS (RAIN MIXED WITH SNOW) DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES & VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN ANCOLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIRBAGS DID NO DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY. ALSO, STEERING FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #852400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salt Lake, UT Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH STOPPED FOR SIGN, AND WHILE CROSSING OVER, GOING WEST, THE HOOD BENT, WINDSHIELD BROKE AND FRONT LEFT WHEEL BROKE FROM THE FRAME ,AND THE CONSUMER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD, AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #852633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairfax, VA Crash

AIR BAGS

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN COLLISION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, NEITHER THE PASSENGER SIDE / DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #852388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Ford Taurus problems

← Full 1998 Ford Taurus report