Ford ยท 1988

1988 Ford Taurus

Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 24 MPG.

Decode this car's VIN All Ford models

Fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionFuelCityHighwayCombinedCO2 g/mi
2.5L 4-cyl Automatic 3-spd Regular 18 24 20 444
2.5L 4-cyl Manual 5-spd Regular 21 29 24 370
3.0L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 18 27 21 423
3.8L 6-cyl Automatic 4-spd Regular 16 24 19 468

Safety recalls (NHTSA)

6 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign 91V036000

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.

Campaign 91V134000

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.

Campaign 92V065000

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.

Campaign 93V106000

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,

Campaign 94E036000

THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.

Campaign 98V323000

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 PLA

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

462 complaints filed by owners for this model year (18 involving a crash, 65 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.

Electrical System 112 Engine And Engine Cooling 76 Structure 53

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fuel economy of a 1988 Ford Taurus?

EPA figures for the 1988 Ford Taurus reach 24 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.

Are there recalls on the 1988 Ford Taurus?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 1988 Ford Taurus. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.

What are common problems with the 1988 Ford Taurus?

Owners have filed 462 complaints with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford Taurus, most often about: Electrical System, Engine And Engine Cooling, Structure. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.

Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.