1988 FORD TAURUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
462
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
5
Investigations
Overview of the 1988 FORD TAURUS
The 1988 FORD TAURUS has received a total of 462 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (58 complaints), Structureframe And Members (43 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (30 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 FORD TAURUS
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1988 FORD TAURUS, potentially affecting up to 5,662,000 vehicles.
Recall 98V323000 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
| 2,697,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM...
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
View full details →Recall 94E036000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
| 98,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Consequence: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
View full details →Recall 93V106000 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
| 1,610,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND...
Consequence: IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.
View full details →Recall 92V065000 — WHEELS
| 654,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
View full details →Recall 91V134000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
| 325,000 vehicles affected
Defect: FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Consequence: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
View full details →Recall 91V036000 — SEATS
| 278,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Consequence: POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 FORD TAURUS
462 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 FORD TAURUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE WOULD RESET ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN UPDATED 1/23/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AT STOPS, WITH BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED A SMALL UNUSUAL ENGINE HUM BEGINS. THEN, IT INCREASES RAPIDLY AND LOUDLY. THE BRAKES SEEM TO SINK TO THE FLOOR. UPDATED 02/11/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK . THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE RPMS DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE. THE CONTACT SAW THAT THE CABLE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL WAS OUT OF PLACE AND THE CONTACT RE-ATTACHED THE CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/06/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A TACHOMETER. UPDATED 04/13/12
CONSUMER'S 1988 FORD TAURUS WAS DELIVERED WITH RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER. *TS THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, WIPER MOTOR, BODY MOUNTS AND STRUTS. *NM
CONSUMER'S 1988 FORD TAURUS WAS DELIVERED WITH RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER. *TS THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, WIPER MOTOR, BODY MOUNTS AND STRUTS. *NM
CONSUMER'S 1988 FORD TAURUS WAS DELIVERED WITH RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER. *TS THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, WIPER MOTOR, BODY MOUNTS AND STRUTS. *NM
Safety Rating for the 1988 FORD TAURUS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 FORD TAURUS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 FORD TAURUS
Ford Motor Company has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1988 FORD TAURUS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
982695 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SOME VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINE MAY USE SHORTER HEAD BOLTS IN THE OUTBOARD POSITION. *YC
BC9683961001 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROCEDURE FOR UPDATING THE CALIBRATION FROM R-11 TO R-12 FOR STALLING ON DECEL & MISFIRE CODES ON 3.0L VEHICLES. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 FORD TAURUS
NHTSA has opened 5 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1988 FORD TAURUS.
Other Model Years of the FORD TAURUS
- 1983 FORD TAURUS — 1 complaint
- 1984 FORD TAURUS — 4 complaints
- 1985 FORD TAURUS — 2 complaints
- 1986 FORD TAURUS — 150 complaints
- 1987 FORD TAURUS — 355 complaints
- 1988 FORD TAURUS (current)
- 1989 FORD TAURUS — 762 complaints
- 1990 FORD TAURUS — 542 complaints
- 1991 FORD TAURUS — 946 complaints
- 1992 FORD TAURUS — 1,009 complaints
- 1993 FORD TAURUS — 2,206 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints
- FORD MUSTANG — 11,551 total complaints