1997 Ford Taurus complaints

ENGINE HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CAR WAS AT A COMPLKETE STOP IN A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SUDDINLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLABLE FORWARD AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A TREE/. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVER VEHICLE. *AK

CAMSHAFT SECONDARY SPROCKET FAILED, SPINNING ON THE CAMSHAFT TUBE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP INSTANTLY WHEN THE VALVE AND PISTONS TRIED TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE IN THE COMBUSTIAN CHAMBER. NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE, ONLY SALVAGE UNITS. REBUILDS, IF POSSIBLE ON THIS MODEL EXCEED $4800 AT THE VERY LEAST! I HAVE BEEN INFORMED WHILE PERFORMING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM THAT IT IS "A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MOTOR" ACCORDING TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION SEIZING UP.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE. *TT

THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME OF THE HEAD GASKET IN THEIR 3.0 ENGINE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO ADMIT IT. IN RESEARCHING THE ENGINE I FOUND THAT THERE IS A SECRET EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES FOR THIS PROBLEM IF THE ENGINE HAS MAJOR DAMAGE WHICH MINE DID.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, RADIO AND WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL GET TIGHT, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MPH VEHICLE MADE A FUNNY NOISE, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ABOVE HIGH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A NEW SEAT BELT WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT STILL DID NOT WORK, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER IN WHICH THE SEAT BELT WAS FIXED THE SAME DAY, CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING HOW THE CORRECTION WAS MADE WITHOUT ORDERING ANOTHER SEATBELT IN WHICH THE FIRST SEAT TOOK TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE.*JB

WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN, ACCELERATOR LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE SPED UP. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT GEAR SELECTOR IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE ENGINE ALSO REVS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *TT

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF HIM. HE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

TREAD SEPARATION CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL.

WOULD BE DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INDICATED NOTHING WRONG, ONLY FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *AK

I HAVE HAD TO PUT TRANSMMISSION IN MY CAR. THE SECOND ONE WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 469 AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND I WAS ALMOST T-BONED BY ANOTHER CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME, WHICH IS SCHWART FORD OUT OF DECATURE INDIANA. THEY SAID I WAS OVE THE WARRANTY WHICH WAS ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILES. I HAD THE FIRST TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT 47,000 AND THE SECOND ONE IS GOING IN AT 81,000.00 I WILL NOT BE HAVING IT DONE BY FORD. I AM TAKING IT ELSE WHERE. FIRST OF ALL SCHWARTA FORD CHARGED ME FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. DURING A CONVERSATION WITH THEM THE OWNED MIKE MORRISON STATED THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION IN A CAR. I HAVE A RECEIPT THAT STATES IT WAS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITENTLY FOR A FEW WEEKS. IT HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO TOTAL FAILURE. THE WIPER ASSEMBLY WILL NOT WORK ON ANY SETTING.*AK

A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZED CAUSING DRIVEBELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF STEERING, ALTERNATOR, AND POWER BRAKES. *AK

DOME LIGHT REMAINS ON ONCE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF OR WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSED.ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOWS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

CHECK ENGINE WENT ON AND ENGINE STOPPED ACCELERATING, RESERVOIR EMPTIED, DEALER SAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK

CAR IS IN SHOP HAVING 2 CRACKED HEADS REPLACED. MECHANIC WAS ADVISED TO KEEP ALL PARTS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE FORD TAURUS 3.8 ENGINE HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE FORD COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THE 3.0 ENGINE WAS BUILT IN ATLANTA GA. AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON IT.THE ALLDATA SERVICE BULLETIN 97-24-16 ISSUED 11-24-94 SAID TO SIMPLY EXTRAPOLATE THE 3.8L ENGINE FOR THE WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE 3.0. WE ALMOST HAD A BAD ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE ENGINE DIED WITH NO WARNING ON A BUSY FREEWAY. IF IT IS A INGITION MODULAR PROBLEM ALSO I DON'T KNOW AT THIS TIME. I FEEL THIS VEH ENGINE SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 91,334 MILES. IF FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE ANYMORE BREAKDOWNS OCCUR.*AK

THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SPONTANEOUS OVERHEATING WHILE AT HJIGHWAY SPEED.*AK

INTERIOR MAP LIGHT IS ALSO THE DOME LIGHTS. CANNOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. WHEN THE DOOR SENSOR BREAKS THE SENSORS THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. THIS IS HAZARDOUS AT NIGHT SINCE THERE IS GLARE COMING OFF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

THE REAR SEATBELTS ON BOTH SIDES BECAME JAMMED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND ARE NO LONGER OPERABLE. IN ADDITION THE METAL PIECE THAT FITS IN THE ANCHOR IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT BROKE OFF THE WEBBING WHILE MY 35 POUND FOUR YEAR OLD WAS WEARING IT. ALSO, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE REPEATEDLY AND COME APART WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT LET CONSUMER GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *SLC

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, ENGINE OVER HEATED, NO COOLANT LEFT IN RESEVOIR. NO LEAKS? LET COOL AND FILLED WITH 5 QUARTS OF COOLANT. LIGHT STAYED ON. DROVE TO FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. REPORT BACK WAS COOLANT CONTAMINATED WITH HYDROCARBONS (USED GAS). DEALER BELIEVES HEAD GASGET BLOWN OR CRACKED BLOCK. RECOMMEND REPLACE WITH LONG BLOCK. APPROX $4800. ASKED DEALER ABOUT ALLDATA SERVICE BULLITAN 97-24-16 AND EXTRAPOLATING TO THE 3.8L EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER SAID NO. NEVER RECIEVED NOTICE OF COOLANT PROBLEM THEY SAID OUT OF WARRANTY. NEED HELP.

CAMSHAFT MAKES A TICKING SOUND THAT IS NOT AT ALL NORMAL. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

THE REAR CAMSHAFT SPROCKET BROKE REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE USED ENGINE WAS $2000 AND THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $2100. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE REPAIR COST. I UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING WIDESPREAD.

FOOT HAD SLIPPED OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND VEHCLE HIT A TRAILER. UPON IMPACT WITH TRAILER, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT AIR BAGS WERE FAULTY. *AK

WHENEVER BRAKING BRAKE PEDAL LINKAGES WOULD FAIL TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN NEEDED.*AK

THIS PROBLEM IS WITH TAURUS, SABLE & WINDSTAR, IT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED...NOW WHAT? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK TSB 98-9-4 WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, THE CORRECTIVE ACTION BEING TO REPLACED THE FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT. *SLC

THE REAR CENTER SEAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST PLACE FOR A CHILD. UNFORTUNATLY THAT IS NOT THE CASE WHEN THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT FAILS. THANKFULLY THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN OUR CAR WAS SAFELY PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. MY HUSBAND HAD NOTICED THE CAR SEAT WAS LOOSE (WHICH IN ITSELF IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION CREATED BY THIS INPROPERLY FUNCTIONING SEATBELT BUCKLE) & HE TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE BELT. THE BUCKLE FELL TO PIECES ALL OVER MY BACK SEAT. IT IS GOING TO COST ME NEARLY $100 TO REPAIR THIS FAULTY SEATBELT. A SMALL PRICE FOR KEEPING MY SON SAFE (UNTIL THIS BREAKS AS WELL) . . . . BUT THIS IS GOING TO COST FORD EVEN MORE IF SOME UNSUSPECTING FAMILY IS INJURED BY THE VERY DEVICE THAT CLAIMS TO SAVE LIVES. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION WITHOUT SHAKING VIOLENTLY. 57500 MILES AT THE TIME, $1900 TO FIX IT. *AK ****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****749177.

THE CAR HAD ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURDHASED IT, FACTORY WARRANTY WAS CARRIED OVER TO US AS THE NEW OWNERS. SOON AFTER THE SALE OF THE CAR TO US, FORD CAME OUT WITH A BROWN COOLANT RECALL, WHICH RAN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1999. ALL OWNERS OF THESE 1997 TAURUS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BY MAIL. IF NOTIFIED CAR OWNERS BROUGHT THEIR CARS IN DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, THE FORD DEALERS WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEVER INFORMED US OF THIS RECALL. IT WAS NOT UNTIL SHE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO NORTH BAY FORD (IN SANTA CRUZ, CA) TO REPAIR A CRACKED COOLANT HOLDING TANK ON JULY 19, 2000, THAT SHE WAS TOLD OF THE REQUIRED RECALL WORK NEED ON HER FORD TAURUS, BUT THE WORK WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY PAYMENT PROGRAM AND THE COST WAS NOW THE OWNERS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THE FORD DEALER COULD DO ABOUT IT. AT THIS TIME WE PAID THE BILL, WHICH WAS OVER $500. THE BROWN COOLANT RECALL PROGRAM WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE OF A DESIGN ERROR IN THE ROUTING OF THE COOLING SYSTEM HOSES INTO AND OUT OF THE DASH HEATER COIL AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE HOSES AROUND THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE RESULT WAS THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE COOLANT TO TURN INTO BROWN MUD FROM EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. WE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY OVER HEATING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL THE COOLANT TANK BEGAN LEAKING. NOW, BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE COOLANT, A GALVANIC REACTION DEVELOPS WITH FREEZE PLUGS IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALER IN

A RECALL FOR BROWN COOLANT HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THE BROWN COOLANT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND NOW WAS RUST. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED TWO FREEZE PLUGS, HOWEVER THE PLUGS USED ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL. THE NEW PLUGS WERE HELD ON WITH A CLAMP. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RUST WAS ALREADY IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND AFTER TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES LATER THE CLAMP RUSTED OUT AND THE COOLANT POORED OUT OF THE CAR WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE CYLINDER TO CRACK AND BURN TWO HEAD GASKETS. APPARENTLY THEIR RECALL WAS A BANDAID THAT DIDN'T HEAL THE WOUND AND ONLY CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE OVER TIME.*AK

TRANSMISION IS GOING OUT.....TORQUE CONVERTOR ALSO FAILING. *AK

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE WHEN VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS ABOVE 35-MPH ENIGNE WILL STALL. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

ERRATIC LOSS OF POWER ASSSITED STEERING AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING, SOMETIMES WITH SEAT BELT LIGHT ON AND POWER WINDOW CONTROL INOPERATIVE. CHATTERING NOISE SUGGESTS AN ELETRICAL PROBLEM. DEFINITELY DANGEROUS IF LOSS OR REGAIN OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING HAPPENS DUE TO OVER OR UNDER STEERING. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AN UNUSUAL NOISE OCCURS. SHORTLY AFTER, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE ORIGINAL DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED AUGUST 3,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON AUGUST 25,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 26,2000.THE FIRST REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH 45,431 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY TURNPIKE FORD OF GALLIPOLIS,OHIO.I HAVE TO THINK THAT THEIR IS ANOTHER PROBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 25MPH. PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BROKE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

SAND FROM CASTING PROCESS IS INSIDE COOLING SYSTEM. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. FELT LIKE BEING REARENDED. FINALLY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED BY MECHANIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING NON REPAIRABLE.*AK *SLC

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SIDE STREET, AND THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED ON SIDE OF ROAD, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT OTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.WHENEVER THE ALTERNATOR GETS WET THE LIGHT GOMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. NLM

BOTTOM OF TRUNK LID RUSTING/PAINT BUBBLING/FORD NOTIFIED. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS FAILING/TIMING IS OFF/NEEDS NEW MOTOR PER MY MECHANIC. *AK

I NOTICES THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. I TOO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH BROWN RUSTED COOLENT THAT CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT IT WILL COST APROXIMATLY $5000.00 TO REPAIR. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE ENGIN, RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, WATER PUMP, ETC. THE SERVICE MANGER AT THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY POOR COOLING SYSTEM DESIGN THAT CAUSES A RUST BUILD UP AND THE EVENTUAL BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH MANY ACCOUNTS LISTED ON THE NHTSA, I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION AND THE POSSIBLE RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER (FORD).

SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM: WHEN CAR COMES TO A STOP THE CLUTCH CAN DISENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE GAS IS APPLIED, IT VARIES IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE CAR WILL RE-ENGAGE AND WILL ABRUBTLY LURCH FORWARD. THIS RESULTS IN UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHICH CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. I WAS ADVISED BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON COLLAPSES AND REQUIRES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT OR SOMETIMES REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN CORRECTED IN LATER MODELS BUT PREVIOUS MODELS WILL NOT BE FIXED UNLESS REQUESTED BY THE OWNER AT HIS OR HER EXPENSE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE SEVERAL STORIES ON THE INTERNET OF THE SAME FAILURES WITH FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSIONS AT VARYING MILEAGE LEVELS, ONE AS LITTLE AS 40,000. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LOSS OF ENGAGEMENT OR UNPREDICTABLE RE-ENGAGEMENT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK