Total Complaints
14 filings
FORD TAURUS (SHO) · model year
1998 FORD TAURUS (SHO)
14 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998FORDTAURUS (SHO) carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 TAURUS (SHO) is engine and engine cooling:engine with 3 filings, followed by power train (2) and engine and engine cooling (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1998 TAURUS (SHO), and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
14
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20110127POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Mileage: 135,000
20070607SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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.
20050907CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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
20050907CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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
20050907CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
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
20050907CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
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
20050907CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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
20050106SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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
20041201ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Mileage: 80,000
20031013ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
POSSIBLE CAM FAILURE RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE LOST IF NOT FOR ALL FOUR CAMSHAFTS WELDED THIS DAY FOR THE COST OF $600. *LA
Mileage: 49,980
20030320ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAM SPROCKET FAILURE ON FORD TAURUS V8 SHO. *JB
Mileage: 85,757
20030313ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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
20001204POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER SHUTS DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK
20001204POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *AK
Compare 1998FORDTAURUS (SHO) to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 FORD TAURUS (SHO) have?▼
The 1998 FORD TAURUS (SHO) has 14 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 FORD TAURUS (SHO)?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 FORD TAURUS (SHO) is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 1998 FORD TAURUS (SHO) safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.