1994 Ford Taurus complaints

TRANSMISSION ERRATIC FORWARD SHIFTING AND LATE. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE MERGING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE CUT OFF, WITHOUT WARNING. ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH IS INTERMITTENT. WIPERS WILL WORK SOMETIMES. OTHER TIMES, WIPERS WILL WORK WHEN TURNED ON, THEN STOP WITHOUT WARNING. DT

CONTACTED DEALER, FOUND ONLINE THE TFI MODULE FAILURES IN OTHER FORD MODELS RECALLED BUT THE OTHER MODELS OF FORDS SOLD WITH THE SAME MODULE IN THEM WERE NOT RECALLED, WHY? MR

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE, AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN ON TO THE STEERING MECHANISM MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *YH

CONSUMER STATES HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING PROBLEM WITH AN ALUMINUM PISTON WHICH TENDS TO CRACK AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL PISTON. VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TT

1. 3.8L V6 HEAD GASKETS. GASKET(S) FAILED ON VEHICLE AT 80878 MILES. ENGINE BLOWS HEAVY ?!@#$% SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE, OVERHEATS AND LOSES COOLANT. VEHICLE IS 8 YRS OLD AND OUT OF EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY PROGRAM, (7YRS 100,000MI). CONTACTED BOTH LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BOTH SAYING THERE IS NO ASSISTANCE THEY COULD PROVIDE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE HEAD GASKETS. 2. TRANSMISSION FAILED, AT 79,392MI. WHEN VEHICLE WAS WARM, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE 1ST GEAR, LEAVING YOU STRANDED WHEREVER YOU STOPPED. CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHO QUOTED $2500 + LABOR. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR $1800. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED. ALL MAINTENANCE ITEMS PERFORMED AT MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED INTERVALS FOR HEAVY DUTY USE. (EVERY 3000MI) OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000MI, TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED PER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, FILTERS, TIRE ROTATION, SPARK PLUGS, EVERYTHING. IF FORD WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, WHICH HAS A KNOWN DESIGN / MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THIS WAS THE LAST FORD PRODUCT I WILL EVER BUY. IT MAY BE ANYWAY. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING TRANSMISSION WILL LOCK UP. VEHICLE CAN ONLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. *AK DEALER NOTIFIED.

SPEED WAS 35 WHEN ENTERING EXIT RAMP, BUT VEHICLE ACCELERATED INVOLUNTARILY UNTIL IMPACT.*AK

WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART AND IT MADE A HORRIBLE METAL CLINKING SOUND. CONSUMER DROVE CAR TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WASA RECALL ON HEAD GASKET, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO STALL, RESULTING IN SHUT OFF. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, AND CONFIRMED THERE WAS A RECALL ON FUEL SYSTEM. HOWEVER , RECALL WAS 2 YEARS OLD, AND IT WOULD NOT APPLY TO CONSUMER.*AK

GRADUALLY WHILE DRIVING OVER A TWO MONTH PERIOD, A PISTON IN TRANSMISSION CRACKED, RESULTING IN SYSTEM NOT ENGAGING AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING FOR TEN MINUTES OR MORE. WHEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL EITHER SLAM INTO GEAR/JERK DRIVER/OCCUPANTS OR WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR WITH NO WARNING. *AK AFTER THE REPAIRS, CONSUMER WROTE TO THE FORD COMPANY TO ADVISE OF THE FAILURE AND TO REQUEST RELIEF FROM PREMATURE FAILURE. FORD DENIED THE REQUEST. *JG

VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AT 40 MPH. CONSUMER REPLACED SHARKS/ STRUTS, AND TIRES; BUT VEHICLE STILL SHAKES. DEALER STATED THERE WERE SEVERAL ENGINE MOUNTS BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

PLUG ON BACK OF HEADLIGHT SWITCH OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION,RESULTING IN LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS.*AK

THERE IS AN INTERMITTTNT FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN OPENING DRIVER'S DOOR INSTEAD OF STAYING OPEN IT WILL COME BACK AND HIT DRIVER'S LEG. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES.*AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF ENGINE MOUNTS. ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED AT 44,000 MILES. DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THEM. *AK AT 44747 MILES ON FEB 16 1998, WINDWARD FORD SERVICE WRITER INFORMED THE ORIGINAL OWNER THAT ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLED ON NEW VEHICLE WAS REDESIGNED AT TIME OF ASSEMBLY AT THE FACTORY. *JG

RIGHT REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. TOWED TO GARAGE WHERE INSPECTIION SHOWED THEA LINE HAD RUSTED AND BURST. INSPECTION ALSO SHOWED SEVERE RUST ON BRAKE LINES FROM PROPORTIONING VALVE TO FRONT OF CAR . RUST IS IN AN AREA NOT EASILY OBSERVED BY NORMAL MAINTENACE INSPECTION AND COULD LEAD TO SUDDEN FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM.*AK

REAR SWAY BAR INLET BROKE FROM SWAY BAR. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO GET A LOT OF STRONG VIBRATION ON HIGHWAY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ANTIFREEZE IS DRIPPING, FUEL IS GETTING INTO VEHICLE , AND CAUSING HEADACHES/BLOODY NOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THERE IS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 98 V 323 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S36 CONCERNING SUBFRAME CORROSION: A DETACHMENT OF BODY MOUNTS HAD OCCURRED WHILE PARKING AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

COOLING FAN WAS MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE COMING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDED WORK. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX WOULD NOT SHIFT, THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION PLANETARY FAILED THE TRANSMISSION BOX HAD TO BE REBUILT, ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*JB

WITHOUT WARNING TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN STOPPED INCLUDING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE THE EVENT COULD POSE A TRAFFIC HAZARD. AFTER BRIEF PERIOD, TRANSMISSIONS POPS BACK INTO GEAR CAUSING VEHICLE TO BOLT FORWARD. DEALER CHARGED $60 TO ADVISE THAT FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON IS "STICKING" AND TRANMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT $2,700 PLUS. FORD ADVISES THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THAT VINTAGE OF TARUS. FORD USED INFERIOR MATERIALS TO SHAVE A FEW BUCKS AND HAS SINCE CHANGED PRODUCT DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF FAILURES. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY THAT CLAIMED "QUALITY IS NU JOB NUMBER ONE" REFUSES TO ACT IN A RESPONSIBLE FASHION RELATIVE TO THIS DEFECT. GARNET FORD SHOUD HAVE TOLD ME BEFORE CHARGING $60 FOR AN ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSMISSION OR BEFORE REPLACING THE ENGINE MOUNT FOR $400 (APPARENTLY A RELATED PROBLEM) THAT THIS YEAR OF TARUS HAS HAD EXTENSIVE PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITS CORPORATE BEHAVIOR RELATIVE TO ITS REFUSAL TO ADDRESS THE MASSIVE NUMBER OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS MODEL.*AK

ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE, VEHICLE WOULD CUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55-65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A REPAIR SHOP AND A DEALER. NEITHER COULD DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES. OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *SLC

HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY, ONCE ON A RECALL, BUT GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

WE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS COMING OFF THE SIDE OF TWO OF THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERED ME TO THERE LOCAL DEALER WHICH REPLACED THE TIRES AT NO CHARGE. I PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 8 TIRES. FOUR FOR THIS CAR AND FOUR FOR MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE. WE NOTICED THIS WEEK THAT ONE OF THE TIRES IS DOING THE SAME THING WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEE THE TIRE BEFORE I GET IT REPLACED SO YOU CAN EXAM IT. MY CONCERN IT THAT THE TWO CARS ARE DRIVEN DIFFERENTLY, HOWEVER NOW THE SABLE TIRES ARE SHOWING THE SAME SIDE WALL TREAD PROBLEMS. AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT NOTIFIED THE COMPANY REGARDING THE THIRD TIRE. WITH THE LAST TWO TIRE THEY WERE IDICATING THAT IS WAS THE CUSTOMERS FAULT. NOW I WONDER IF WE HAVE ANOTHER FIRESTONE ON OUR HANDS. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, GOING TO 120 MPH. IT WENT SO LONG, WHILE HE WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES IT BLEW OUT THE MOTOR, VEHICLE CRASHED, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES.*AK *YH

SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT AUTO TENSIONER SPRING SNAPPED. CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN DRIVE, ENGINE REMAINED ON. HAD TO JAM ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE OF NO STEERING CAPABILITY. WHEN TENSIONER SNAPPED IT RELEASED POWER FROM POWER STEERING, ALTENATOR, WATER PUMP, A/C CONDENSER, DRIVE TRAIN. CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE AT HIGHER SPEED.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET; THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE SEEN REPEAT FAILURES; FORD HAS ALREADY HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND NOW THEIR REPLACEMNETS ARE FAILING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE (43,000 MILES EACH TIME); THE REPAIR WILL COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH

GASKETS BEING USED TO REPAIR THE FAILED GASKETS ON THE 3.8L ENGINEER ARE ALSO FAILING.

CAR BEGAN TO ENGAGE IN GEAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING. DURING THIS TIME CAR WOULD ACCELERATED RAPIDLY OR LURCH FORWARD. DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM CLUTCH PISTON HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A STEEL ONE. REBUILD AXOD-E TRANSMISSION, K FRAME BOLT EXHAQUST GASKET.

I'VE SUBMITTED TWO PROBLEMS, WHICH ARE FROM TWO ENTIRELY SEPARATE INCIDENTS. THE HAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED LAST YEAR BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEB SITE FOR REPORTING PROBLEMS. OUR MECHANIC HAS TOLD US THAT THESE TWO PROBLEMS ARE EXTREMELY FREQUENT WITH ALL FORD 3.8 ENGINES AND FOR ALL YEARS OF MFG. FORD WAS CONTACT WITH HEAD GASKET PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY 2000 MILES PAST WARRANTY, AND THEY ARE COVERING IT PAST THAT MILEAGE IN CANADA. *AK

THE CAR FAILED TO START ON 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS,AFTER COOL DOWN CAR STARTED UP WIYH NO PROBLEMS. *AK

ENGINE WOULD NOT START, WHAN LAST RUNNING NOTICE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST EXCESSIVELY THICK, VERIFED CONCERN EEC TEST-FUEL PLUGS FOULED VEHICLE REQUIRED PLUGS AND DIST CAP/ROTOR TO CONTINUE DIAG-REPLACED PLUGS/CAP/ROTOR-PINPOINT CUSTOMER CONCERN TO FAULTY HEAD GASKET, REMOVED HEADS, REPLACED GASKET, TEST HEADS FOR FLATNESS, REPLACE HEADS. RETEST VEHICLE 02 SENSOR AND TP SENSOR DAMAGED BY HEAD GASKET FAILURE-RECIEVED. REPLACEMENT CUSTOM DECLINED FAULTY SENSOR WILL TRIGGER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHER FAILED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. CONSUMER WANTS THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *YH

WHEN THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR FAILS, IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT AT ANY SPEED REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE SHIFT LEVER SAYS. MY VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT OVER 60 MPH. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO POP OUT OF GEAR AND SURGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN THE VSS FAILS, THE CRUISE CONTROL CEASES TO FUNCTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS LAST ROUGHLY 1 YEAR AND POP UP AGAIN. THIS LAST TIME, THE FORCE WAS SO GREAT THAT IT BROKE THE MOTOR MOUNTS.*AK

HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO OPERATE AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER FEELS THIS PROBLEM CAUSES AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO SAFETY BECAUSE VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO ZERO. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V009000 ON 16-NOV-1998, AND INFORMED CONSUMER ANY REPAIRS FOR ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WILL BE DONE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

RECALL 98 V 009 000/HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER: HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT FOR A BRIEF INTERVAL WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT., DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT MANUFACTURER'S RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRED. *AK *YH

WHILE DRIVING 55MPH VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND LOSE ALL POWER. NO PRIOR WARNING. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

THE 3.8L ENGINE IN MY 1994 FORD TAURUS HAS HAD 3 SEVERE FAILURES. THESE FAILURES COULD HAVE INJURED SOMEONE OR CAUSED SERIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE. ON THE LAST FAILURE, FORD IS UNWILLING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT ALL 1994 / 1995 FORD CARS AND TRUCKS WITH THE 3.8L V6 ENGINE SHOULD BE RECALLED. *AK

CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE PURCHASE/ AUTO REPAIR SAID MAIN HEAD/GASKET COMMON FAILURE - FORD SHOULD ASSIST WITH COSTS.*AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO ALL FORD TAURUS 1994 AND1995 WITH A 3.8L. IT'S A MANUFACTRING PROBLEM AND THUS ALL REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

IT SEEMS THAT HEAD GASKET FAILED ON SCHEDULE AT 71,000 MILES. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS OLDER THAN 7 YRS THE MILEAGE IS VERY SHORT.*AK

THIS FORD TAURUS HAS A DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM SHIFT PISTON AND PREVENTS OPERATION OF VEHICLE AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND YOU WANT TO CONTINUE FORWARD VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD VERY VERY SLOWLY AND CREATES A HAZARD IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE THIS IS A DANGEROUS SCENARIO, VEHICLE THEN PROCEEDED FORWARD AND RESUMED GOING THRU THE OTHER GEARS NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD TAURUS' ARE NOTED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FELT THAT THE DEALER SHIP SHOULD HAVE WARNED US, CHILDREN MAY HAVE BEEN INJURED. I PUT ONLY 6473 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND AM A COLLEGE STUDENT ON THE DEAN'S LIST AND HONOR SOCIETY AND NEED VEHCILE TO ATTEND COLLEGE TO RECEIVE MY ENGINEERING DEGREE. I DO NOT HAVE $1706. + $360. THAT CROFT FORD INC. WANTS TO INSTALL A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. HOW CAN I PAY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE SAFETY ISSUE? HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT THE REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE A STEEL SHIFT PISTON AND NOT THE ALUMINUM? THESE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL SETTING IN AN INTERSECTION AND HAVING CARS COMING AT YOU? I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PISTON HEATS UP AND BREAKS AND A RING? BREAKS. IS THIS THE DEFECT?*AK