1998 Ford Taurus Consumer Discussions

Taurus/Sable Electrical Problems

• Service Engine Soon

  Written by: carell on Nov 27, 2011 8:46:23 AM

  Hello Posters, I got lazy a week ago and ignored my low fuel indicator. As I finally pulled into the pumps, my 1998 Ford Taurus stumbled and missfired. The tank took over 13.5 gallons, therefore only 2.5 gallons were remaining on the bottom of the tank. The moment, I restarted the 3.0 liter engine the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. The manual says the light should go out after a ... Read More

• left rear power window not working on 1998 ford taurus

  Written by: carell on Oct 24, 2011 6:01:20 PM

  After this vehicle sat for 6 months the left rear power window will not work from either the master control or the switch on the door itself. All the other windows are working fine from the master control and on the remaining doors. The electric door lock on the same door works. The window electric motor is not engaging. I presume the problem is a bad switch on the drivers door ... Read More

08 Taurus Roof Rack

• Re: 08 Taurus Roof Rack [tsneidn]

  Written by: mmackay2 on Aug 6, 2009 12:58:24 PM

  I have a 1998 Ford Taurus sedan and recently purchased a kayak. I have been searchinf for a roof rack but ones that fit the Taurus sadan cost more than the kayak! It's really frustrating!

Mainstream Large Sedans Comparison

• Re: Good reliability isn't Jaguar's problem. [captain2]

  Written by: autokritiker on Apr 17, 2008 12:23:11 PM

  I think it's pretty impressive that in the 2008 Taurus, the new 3.5L Duratec hooked up to the same 6-speed automatic gets 2 MPG better on the Highway, and 1 MPG better combined compared to the 2007 Five Hundred with the old 3.0L Duratec. I'd say Ford definitely refined the Duratec V6: 60 more HP *and* better fuel economy. This new engine pulls the Taurus to 60 MPH in 6.8 seconds, ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Audio Questions

• Re: front doors of 1998 ford taurus [radio2]

  Written by: kringwood on Feb 2, 2008 3:17:52 PM

  Sure,remove any screws such as behind the door latch and maybe under the arm rest,remoce the door lock by unscrewing it and the panel should "pop" off,its attached by clips using pressure,be careful if you have power windows,start at the bottom and unpop the plastic clips,when putting it on use hand pressure and replace the screws.

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• MESSED UP REAR SUSPENSION

  Written by: eegguy on Jan 12, 2008 10:26:44 PM

  MY SON HIT A CURB REALLY HARD AND I PUT A NEW WHEEL ON IT AND NOW THE WHEEL APPEARS TO SLANT INWARD AT THE TOP MAKING THE TIRE RUB THE STRUT ,I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN CHECK AND POSSIBLY FIX BEFORE I TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. IT IS A 1998 FORD TAURUS WITH 15 inch WHEELS AND DISC BRAKES, PLEASE HELP !!!!

Taurus/Sable Audio Questions

• front doors of 1998 ford taurus

  Written by: radio2 on Apr 20, 2007 3:29:19 PM

  does anyone out there know how to remove the door panels on a 1998 ford taurus sedan?

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Wagons

• Re: Guess I jinxed myself... [danielj6]

  Written by: ford_guy52 on Mar 21, 2007 11:23:58 AM

  Sent back to the factory??? I don't know of anyone in a collision where the car gets sent back to the factory...?? That being said, they did decide to repair the car. As I had mentioned, the airbags never deployed, it wasn't that severe of a crash, but expensive enough as it was. After the repair shop was finished I immediately drove it over to my Merc dealer who examined the ... Read More

• Re: Taurus Reborn [pat]

  Written by: ford_guy52 on Feb 12, 2007 10:52:23 AM

  Interesting... and thanks! It looks like my first post on that topic in this group even beat the first post in that thread... But a Taurus X? I'm sorry, no interest here... My Sable/Taurus history?? My ex-wife and I had bought a 1989 Sable Wagon to replace a totalled Bronco II. Loved it, so we bought a matching 1989 Sable Sedan. I drove the heck out of that '89 Sedan with ... Read More

What Are Your Thoughts on the Return of the Taurus/Sable?

• Taurus Rising

  Written by: douglasr on Feb 9, 2007 4:05:37 AM

  Yes, Ford Motor is in BIG trouble. You only have to look at its position in 1998 and now to see that: from 26% of the market and possibly able to challenge GM, to: 14% car sales and 16% overall. Bill Ford gets no credit stemming the tide downwards. Taurus? No different than rebadging the Zephyr into the Mark Z. Yes bring the name back, yes add more BHP and torque ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• Ford Taurus

  Written by: warhorse1 on Nov 13, 2006 12:32:35 PM

  I'm in England and brought my first Taurus some years ago and still own them now, my firsts Taurus was an 86 SW with a 2.5 engine. I only sold it as it was under powered but in that time never had a single problem with sold it wit 75.000 miles on the clock, then brought a 19888 LX 3.8 with 45.000 miles, only problem I had with this was a ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• Re: why is my 1998 ford taurus using transmission fluid [crfceo]

  Written by: savetheland on Nov 5, 2006 6:11:57 PM

  It leaks when transmission fluid gets hot. Before that it does not leak. But when it gets hot - it leaks like hell. I had this problem in my '94 Taurus. I bought it with more than 100K and it was commersially used (or misused) but cheap. I discovered AT to leak badly at parking lot 40 miles away from home, I drove it stopping once in a while to add ... Read More

• Re: why is my 1998 ford taurus using transmission fluid [crfceo]

  Written by: salsbugie on Nov 5, 2006 2:48:54 PM

  it is not leaking from what i can see. I park in a concret drive way and there is never any spots there,ever. Can it be burning it like the older cars did thru the modulator

• Re: why is my 1998 ford taurus using transmission fluid [salsbugie]

  Written by: crfceo on Nov 5, 2006 2:24:05 PM

  I'll bet it IS leaking. My experience is this. I went on a small road trip in my 1997 taurus. I pulled off the highway to get gas an d realized my transmission wasn't working. I got out and it was leaking badly. I managed to get it home stopping every few miles to refill it. The next morning, I jacked up the car, put it on stands and started it ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• why is my 1998 ford taurus using transmission fluid

  Written by: salsbugie on Nov 5, 2006 12:41:18 PM

  It has 110,000 miles on it and it does shift hard for 1st to 2d. 3.0 engine and runs great. The car is using about a quart every 500 to 1000 miles or so. no leakes at all.

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• why is my 1998 ford taurus using transmission fluid

  Written by: salsbugie on Nov 5, 2006 12:38:31 PM

  It is a 3.0 with a 110,00o miles on it. It is using about 1 qt about every 500 miles or so. It is not leaking at all.

Taurus/Sable Transmission Problems

• why is my 1998 ford taurus using transmission fluid

  Written by: salsbugie on Nov 5, 2006 12:36:21 PM

  It is not leaking at all. It is using about a quart every 2 weeks or so. It does shift hard from 1st to 2nd. The car runs great has a 3.0 with 110,00 miles on it

Should I buy this used Taurus or Sable?

• Should I purchase a 2006 Ford Taurus! Help

  Written by: eastcoasta on Oct 3, 2006 8:41:25 AM

  Hi Folks, I have been driving a 1996 Ford Taurus since 1998 and really enjoyed the car. It is now too expensive to repair and I was offered a 2006 SEL Taurus with 18,000 miles for $14,000, it is fully loaded. Can anyone offer any advise on what I should pay for this vehicle? I would appreciate it. Oh, I am a female buyer and not good at negotiating car deals. ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• lower ball joints 98 ford taurus

  Written by: jrolf on Jul 29, 2006 8:35:05 PM

  does anyone know how you remove the lower ball joints on a 1998 ford taurus?

• Re: Transmission burping fluid on 2003 Sable [dcollier]

  Written by: 1998taurus on Jul 3, 2006 7:41:40 AM

  My 1998 Taurus is burping transmission fluid as well. I was told by a Ford dealership that the breather is plugged. A typical problem with this car. I purchased the two items and was told they were easy to replace. That they were on top of the trans can. Now I can't find it. The part # for the breather valve is #YF1Z-7035-AA and the rubber cap #XS4Z-7L282-AA. Anyone know exactly ... Read More

• Re: Brrrrrrr..COLD [grun]

  Written by: acadiarush on Nov 23, 2005 3:52:09 PM

  I have the same issue on my 1998 Ford Taurus. It has been a very cold nightmare here in Maine. Have you figured out how to repair this? This was an intermittant issue for which I took the car to a dealer during the warranty period. They said it worked fine. Now, it doesn't work at all.

• Re: 2003 mercury sable heating [jazeeladee]

  Written by: acadiarush on Nov 23, 2005 3:47:53 PM

  I have the same issue on my 1998 Ford Taurus. It has been a very cold nightmare here in Maine. Have you figured out how to repair this?

• AIR CONDITIONING AND CRUISE CONTROL.

  Written by: chunky1 on Oct 5, 2005 6:55:21 PM

  I recently bought a 1998 ford Taurus SE. It has been very well maintained and looks like new inside and out. After driving for a week the air conditioner just stopped after blowing very cold. The compressor is not coming on at all. The next day the Cruise control stop working on a short trip out of town. I replace one fuse that was blown but it didn't help(cruise control). all ... Read More

• Bottom engine noise

  Written by: tcinmi on Jul 27, 2005 9:58:34 PM

  My friend has a 1998 Ford Taurus that is a piece of junk yes, but they bought it that way to get him through college then to basically take it to a junk heap. I am the owner of a wonderful 2003 Taurus (only problems I have had with it are accidents 1 of my doing, 2 not, transmission and everything under the hood is fine) and he has a semi-loud ... Read More

• water pumo

  Written by: ddltrek on Jul 22, 2005 5:06:48 AM

  How easy is it to replace a water pump on a 1998 Ford Taurus SE V6. The pump is on top of the engine. Repair shops want 70/hr x 2.7 hours

• Taurus Spark plug Change

  Written by: kik1azz on Jul 10, 2005 9:34:46 AM

  Can someione tell me if the upper plenum needs to be removed to change spark plugs (backside), on a 1998 Ford Taurus; V6.

• Hood latch cable snapped

  Written by: bigmol on Jun 22, 2005 1:13:51 PM

  My 1998 Ford Taurus hood release cable broke somewhere under the hood. Maybe even at the latch itself. Can't fix it without opening the hood. How can I open the hood without the hood release cable? Please help. Has this happened to anyone else?

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• 4-MONTH UPDATE

  Written by: vppc on May 16, 2005 11:33:31 PM

  Hello, everyone! I also wanted to update the status of my 2001 Taurus SES with 69,000 miles. To date, here is all I have done to the car: - 64,000 - lower ball joint ($35 part, $40 install, $40 for 4-wheel alignment) - 66,000 - new front rotors ($70 for both including installation) - 68,000 - transmission flush w/filter (preventative maintenance, $140) The only thing I need to do to this ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• Question regarding service and repair ...

  Written by: vppc on Mar 17, 2005 9:32:22 PM

  Hello, everyone! I have a 2001 Ford Taurus SES with 63,200 miles on with the Vulcan engine. According to a repair shop, I need a new lower driver ball joint. I have been quoted $35 for the part, $35 for the labor, and $40 to do a 4-wheel alignment = $110 OTD. Is this a good deal? I was originally quoted $129 + tax, but they will do it for the ... Read More

• safety recall 04S17 (front coil springs)

  Written by: dowilmar on Feb 7, 2005 11:58:05 AM

  1998 Taurus s/w, 114ks, recently had left front coil spring fracture, ruined tire...while parked! recall on 1999-2001 models only, anyone with similar problem and did you have any luck with Ford? Any other agencies to contact. Apparently recall only available to Eastern Canada because of salt.

• Trans Fluid

  Written by: ehenness on Aug 28, 2003 5:15:52 AM

  All Taurus and Sable cars from 1998-up require Mercon V fluid (plain Mercon is NOT compatible, according to the service manual). From what I understand, Mercon V is a full synthetic fluid, or nearly so. It's good stuff by itself. In any case, whatever you pick, stick to ONLY those fluids that are Mercon V, not Mercon, not Dexron, not anything else. If it doesn't say that it meets Mercon V ... Read More

Ford Taurus Problems

• ford taurus

  Written by: grape49 on May 26, 2002 9:56:10 PM

  I have a 1998 Ford Taurus SE; worst piece of garbage i have ever owned. Had to replace a/c at 53k miles($1000) and then my entire transmission was thrashed at 63k($2400). what a piece of crap and embarassment. Never again will I ever buy detroit.also have had other things which in deference to the length of posting i kept off. anyone looking for sedan...think Toyota, Honda, not these clowns from ford ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• Taurus Tranny Problems

  Written by: rover3500 on Apr 27, 2001 10:48:36 AM

  Hello Everyone, Well, I first strated off with a 1990 Taurus wagon as my first car. I loved it. I bought a 1 year old 1998 Turus SE in Aug of 99 and it has been nothing but problems. Rattles clunks... I can handle all of that (I am a brit car guy). What I can't handle is the transmission problems. It has been in the shop 6 times for the ... Read More

• This was the very beginning of my taurus problems started at 12,000 miles back in 1998

  Written by: tammycampbell8 on Mar 21, 2001 8:46:08 AM

  I am a owner of a 97 model Taurus that had problems with the rack n pinnon, stablizer links, motor mounts separations, struts, oil pan gasket, door sensors, and the last thing is the tranny slipping. When taking my car to another dealer just for the rack n pinnion, stablizer links, struts, motor mounts, oil pan gasket (this was a 2 week repair job), I had found out that the 1st ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• 1997 Taurus with suspension problems and door sensors going bad

  Written by: tammycampbell8 on Mar 19, 2001 12:39:26 PM

  Our worst nightmare was the service dept in the same town we bought this 97 taurus, our problems began in 98 when you could hear the sound of a ball dropping coming out of the right front of the car. I was taking this car to the dealer that I bought it from in 1998 and 1999 complaining of the sound> But each time the car went in, it came out ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• venus537

  Written by: reesej on Jul 25, 2000 1:58:58 PM

  Since you are shopping for a 2000 Volkswagon Jetta, currently own a 1998 Honda Accord, and your dream car is a 3 seriew BMW, why all the noise in the Ford Taurus topic? The intent of my comment was not that I own the topic, but that the topic matches the model of car that I own (duh). As far as names -- if the shoe fits ....

• FROM A "HAPPY FORD OWNER

  Written by: 2k_impala_ls on Jul 15, 2000 5:37:13 AM

  I recently purchased a 1998 ford taurus se with 27,412 miles on it on 4/12/00. I have had it in for service (warranty work) 3 times now... 1) The transmission goes out 2 weeks after I bought it, 2) They have to repair the damage they did to my vehicle, 3) The shift assembly needed replacement (6/2/00 - 6/8/00). You mean to tell me that SOUTHGATE FORD of Michigan does not ... Read More

• First Post

  Written by: fordman33 on Jul 7, 2000 7:26:12 AM

  I have read through all the posts here and thought I would jump in. I bought my 2000 Taurus SE on Memorial Day and already have about 3500 miles on it. I am really enjoying the car and have no major complaints. In my search, I looked at the Impala, Malibu, Focus, and Protege in addition to the Taurus. I test drove all but the Impala - I am wary of ... Read More

• TEO

  Written by: regfootball on Jul 6, 2000 11:56:30 PM

  you can't compare taurus+sable to "each and all GM somewhat close to midsize sedans" because a) chevy and ford are direct competitors as mainstream basic autos. Chevy wants to beat ford. Can't beat ford when your model that directly competes with the taurus sells 1/3 of the taurus b) even you did group all of gm's mid size offerings into one group and compared its sales to the taurus, the question ... Read More

• You won't believe what I drive

  Written by: watsontebo on May 14, 2000 8:58:44 PM

  My wife needed a new car in August 1998. We needed room for the 2 kids, Golden Retriever, bikes, groceries, etc, etc. But we wanted something more sporting (i.e.; better handling, acceleration) than a minivan. My wife now drives a car with an all-aluminum 3.0 liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 with 200 hp and 200 lb-ft torque, 6500 rpm redline, 4 wheel independent suspension, front & rear stabilizer bars, gas shocks, 4 ... Read More