← Back to Search

1988 Ford Taurus GL

The 1988 Ford Taurus GL is a 90-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $12,413 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 90 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 130 lb-ft of torque at 2600 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The Taurus measures 188.0 inches long on a 106.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,928 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$12,413 ($34,102 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.5L inline-4
Displacement2.5 L
Horsepower90 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Torque130 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway24 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Tank Capacity16 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front14.0 in
Wheels Rear14.0 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length188 in
Width70 in
Height54 in
Wheelbase106 in
Curb Weight2,928 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford TAURUS. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Dec 16, 1998 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

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.

NHTSA campaign 98V323000

Nov 25, 1994 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

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.

NHTSA campaign 94E036000

Jun 23, 1993 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

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.

NHTSA campaign 93V106000

May 11, 1992 · WHEELS

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.

NHTSA campaign 92V065000

Aug 6, 1991 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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.

NHTSA campaign 91V134000

Mar 4, 1991 · SEATS

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.

NHTSA campaign 91V036000

341 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Ford TAURUS

Owner Complaints

341 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Ford TAURUS (13 mention a crash, 51 a fire, 7 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System92
Engine And Engine Cooling59
Structure50
Power Train33
Seat Belts33
Steering30
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 4, 2012 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“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…”
Mar 13, 2012 · Vehicle Speed Control
“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…”
Apr 19, 2006 · Suspension, Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure
“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”
Apr 7, 2006 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Structure
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ANY SPEED AND THE ROTORS BECAME CORRODED AS A RESULT OF SODIUM BUILD UP. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONSULTED, AND AGREED…”
Jul 13, 2004 · Exterior Lighting Fire
“WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. CONSUMER DID NOT SUSTAIN…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 FORD TAURUS. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search