14th Sep 2002, 18:07

I just recently bought a 98 Ford Taurus from my aunt. She had been complaining about the door indicator on the dash being on and the doors were shut. Now I am having the same problem. The inside dome light and floor lights go off and on when it feels like it. Not sure if it's electrical or if it's a sensor switch in one or all of the doors. The car only has 20,500 miles on it and it's out of warranty. I was warned about buying a Ford.

19th Nov 2002, 19:24

I have a 98' Ford Taurus and for the some part it has been a good car. For the other half the dome light will not go off, the check engine light comes on orange for about 15 minutes then goes off only to come on again. When I took it to the dealership all they could tell me it was a computer problem, and then could not determine what it was. I am spending a fortune here, and the sad part is that this car is not paid off yet. I thought I was going to be riding high, but right now I am not riding anything at all least of a Ford Taurus. I will never make this mistake again. Any car, but a Ford!!!

21st Jan 2003, 12:34

I bought a 98 Taurus from CarMax in October '01. All the above problems took place in mine as well: My dome light sometimes won't go off, my transmission just went out (torque converter not fluid maintenance), air was getting stinky too. Despite all this, I like the car - it's roomy and comfortable, mileage is OK, has good power. But FYI, that new transmission just cost me $1800 - expect it to go out at 60K. Maintain your car with Ford recommended upkeep - I had CarMax's extended service warranty and because I didn't get my 60K maintenance they won't pay for the transmission. Boo-Hoo!

14th Feb 2003, 09:40

I have a 98 Ford Taurus and have had the same transmission problems. I replaced the transmission at 60,000 miles ($1800). I also asked about the power train warranty and for some reason they only covered power train to 36,000 that year. I am now having strange electrical problems. The car will surge sometimes when turning on/off the AC/HT system. It will sometimes surge as the car is slowing down. The seatbelt indicator light on the dash will come on for no reason and stay lit for several weeks and then disappear. This is my first and last Ford!

14th May 2003, 08:29

I'm in the same boat as all of you other pathetic fools. I, too, allowed myself to be suckered into purchasing a 1998 Taurus. I have only put 25,000 miles on it and had to replace both the oxygen sensor and now the electronic speed sensor. The rear passenger window can no longer be rolled down from the driver's power window console. My dome light was stuck on the other day and I could only get it to turn off by flipping the switch from door to off. That is, until I slammed the door REALLY hard. That must have jarred a faulty switch back to the correct position. I also own a 2002 Explorer which (crossing my fingers and knocking on wood) I have had no problems with as of yet. I do know one thing for sure. I'm getting the electronic speed sensor fixed and getting rid of this heap. Maybe I'll buy GM next time... or go foreign.

14th May 2003, 14:42

My floor and dome lights wouldn't go off either, so I sprayed the connections in the door with WD40 and haven't had a problem since going on 3 months now.

22nd May 2003, 09:51

I have had the same problems with my dome light staying on on my 98 Taurus. It wouldn't go off for days until one day I turned on the radio, and it went off. My dash lights stay off so I have to always turn the parking light on so I can see the dash. Also, now the bright light signal won't go off unless I turn on the lights fully, and the Day Runner Lamps are stuck on. So, I have to disconnect the battery wire. I keep experiencing these small problems, but overall, the car has been a good car, comfortable, with a lot of power. (It is the 24 valve, 6 Cyl option.)

Naomi 5/22/03.

18th Jun 2003, 12:25

I have a 98 Taurus SE also! It is deader than a doornail! I can't even get it to a shop to be tested. From reading all the other comments - I'm kinda scared what they are going to tell me! My oil light came on flashing, so after it cooled off, we checked the oil - 1/2 qt low, added 1/2 qt, then about 45 miles down the road, it started flashing again, we let it cool, checked the oil and this time it showed 1 qt low, so we added another qt (checked for leaks - there were none!) light went off, I set my cruise control to 5 miles less than the speed limit and then about 40 more miles, both my oil and service engine lights were flashing, I put on my brake and then tried to step on the gas, and I kept loosing power - 55 to 50 to 45, etc- I then pulled off and the car shut down on me. It acts like it wants to start, but won't - like it's not getting gas. I also have the problems with my dome light and light in the floor staying on! It seems to happen intermittently. Also had the open door light to stay on - this happened when my dome and floor light stayed on.

11th Aug 2003, 15:26

I have a 96 Chevy blazer S10 and it has over 215k miles on it... with a great running engine and tranny... domelights work fine too... WHY did you buy a FORD???

17th Aug 2003, 13:53

I have a 99 Honda Civic hatchback, I've had no problems, My best friend and my cousin both have 95 civics, once again no problem, my brother had a 91 civic hatchback, it too had no problems until someone tried to steal it and broke the window and messed up the ignition, my wifes car however is a 97 Ford Taurus (she got it before we were together) and has a new problem every week it seems like. I'm thinking about blowing it up and getting her a Honda Accord or a larger Acura. I'm staying with Honda all the way!!!

27th Aug 2003, 00:29

I recently had electrical problems with my 98 Taurus, similar to the ones I've seen from others. The dome light wouldn't turn off or would turn off a few miles down the road; the "door open" indicator would stay active. One day soon after, I had a dead battery episode. After replacing the battery, the other electrical problems went away. It made me wonder whether some of the electrical systems in the Taurus just don't do well with a near dead battery. The voltage could be too low to operate relays, etc. Strange electrical problems could many times be an indication that the battery is a goner. Anyway, that's my guess.