1999 Ford Taurus complaints

TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT MEDIUM SPEED, AND PRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AT THE CURVE. TO MY HORROR THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALL THE WAY WITHOUT SLOWING THE CAR AT ALL. THERE WAS NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE BRAKES CAME BACK BRIEFLY AFTER PRESSING A FEW TIMES, BUT WENT OFF AGAIN AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT. THE CAR RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT, BUT FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC. I PULLED OVER SLOWING IT DOWN AND PUT IT INTO PARK. WE GOT THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST BRAKES REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC HAS INFORMED US THAT THE CAUSE IS AN "INTERNAL LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER". *JB

4/27/2006, I HAD A VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL NOTED PRIMARILY AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAD MY BRAKES DONE AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE BUT VIBRATION WAS STILL PRESENT. WENT TO TIRE SHOP WHO EVALUATED PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WHICH WAS SEPARATING. I HAD COOPER TOURING TIRES ON THE VEHICLE APPROX 1 1/2 YEARS OLD. I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED AND THE OTHER TIRES INSPECTED AND BALANCED. VIBRATION WAS NO LONGER PRESENT. 5/21/06 DRIVING EAST ON I-10 BEGAN FEELING A STEERING VIBRATION. I WAS NEARING TUCSON AND PLANNED TO EXIT TO THE NEAREST TIRE SHOP, VIBRATION INCREASED. I TOOK INVENTORY OF VEHICLES AROUND ME NOTING A TRUCK PULLING A BOAT AND MADE A DECISION THAT I DID NOT WANT TO BE BY THE BOAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENED. I MADE LANE CHANGE AND SHORTLY AFTER TIRE MADE A BIG BANG AND I SPUN 360 DEGREES ON THE FREEWAY, SPINNING REARWARD INTO THE MEDIAN. I DID AVOID HITTING TREES, OTHER VEHICLES AND BEING STRUCK BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I AM A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR AND HAVE HAD SKID CAR TRAINING. THIS WAS THE MOST HORRENDOUS EVENT EVER IN MY DRIVING CAREER. VEHICLE DID SUSTAIN DAMAGE. POLICE ASSISTED IN GETTING ME OUT OF THE VEHICLE ( I USE A WHEELCHAIR AND DRIVE WITH HAND-CONTROLS) AND REMOVED THE TIRE AND PUT THE SPARE ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST TIRE REPAIR FACILITY - THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND SHREDDED - I HAVE THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE BODY HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. TODAY WHEN DISCUSSING WITH CO-WORKERS WHAT HAPPENED - I WAS INFORMED OF A RECENT COOPER TI

I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT MY CAR HAS A BAD STEERING RACK WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $750. MY CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE MY STEERING BECAME LABORED AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I WAS TOLD IT IS A HAZARD TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *NM

I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS. MY CAR WAS RECALLED IN DECEMBER OF 2004 FOR THE COIL SPRINGS TO HAVE A COVER PLACED ON THEM TO PREVENT CORROSION AND BREAKAGE. I HAD THE RECALL DONE AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS STARTED NOTICING A LOUD CLUNK AND BANG FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHILE PERFORMING A TURN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL AND HAD THEM CHECK THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THEY CLAIMED THEY ARE OKAY. A YEAR HAS PASSED AND THE NOISE HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. BASED ON THE FORD DEALER TELLING ME THAT THE COIL SPRING IS OKAY, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE FOUR NEW STRUTS IN HOPES OF RECTIFYING THE LOUD CLUNK. THE NOISE IS STILL THERE EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE STRUTS. THEY COST ME $650.00. NOW I FEEL I MAY HAVE WASTED THAT MONEY. I VISITED A FORD TAURUS FORUM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT QUITE A FEW PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF THE SPRING FAILS ON A HIGHWAY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT RETRACT OR IT WILL LOCK BEFORE IT IS FASTENED INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 99V250000 REGARDING THE SEATBELTS FRONT: ANCHORAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

1999 FORD TAURUS REAR CENTER SEAT LAP/SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY. CHILD WAS TAKING SEAT BELT OFF AND THE ATTACHMENT FELL APART. THE LATCH PLATE COMPLETELY FELL APART AND THE BELT IS NOT USABLE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN A CRASH OR THIS BELT WOULD HAVE FAILED ALLOWING MY CHILD TO BE INJURED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A COSCO HIGH-RISE/AMBASSADOR BACKLESS BELT POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT, MODEL #22-297-FLP BUILT ON JANUARY 25, 2006. WHILE THE BOOSTER SEAT WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THERE WAS A CLIP MISSING FROM THE SEAT. THE CLIP THAT PREVENTS THE SHOULDER STRAP FROM PUSHING ON THE OCCUPANT'S NECK WAS MISSING. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE BOOSTER SEAT INFORMED THE CONTACT THE CLIP IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED; THEREFORE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT CLIP. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SPARE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD DAMAGED THE WIRING IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

REAR PASSENGER SEAT 3-POUNT SAFETY BELT FAILURE. BELT LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT AND FUNCTION AS A USABLE SAFETY DEVICE. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $69.07 FOR THE BELT AND $145.00 LABOR. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE. IN 2004, THE REAR DRIVER SEAT 3-POINT BELT ALSO FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

TRYING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD GARAGE, AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS OVER 160,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF THIS RECALL. *JB

ON DEC. 14, 2005, WITH 60,001 MILES, THE VEHICLES SERVICE (HYDRAULIC) BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. FULLERTON FORD OF SOMERVILLE, NJ EVALUATED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT A BADLY RUSTED STEEL BRAKE FLUID TUBE (WHICH FEEDS FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKES) HAD RUPTURED. GIVEN THE CARS LOW MILEAGE, RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE AND THE FACT THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT, I FEEL IT INDICATES SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS USED IN THE CARS MANUFACTURE AND SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL AND PARTS REPLACEMENT AT FORD'S EXPENSE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION OUTSIDE HIS HOME ON DECEMBER 14, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY MIDNIGHT. HE CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TO FIND HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE LOCALIZED IN THE FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. BASED ON THE EVENTS IT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE WAS RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION LURCHED FORWARD. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE ACCELERATION WITH BRAKE PRESSURE THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SHE PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MAIN BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS BEING REPLACED. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 1, 2004 FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE THAT PUNCTURED THE TIRE. ALSO, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. ONCE IN AWHILE ONE COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JUST RIGHT AND THE KEY WILL COME OUT. THE CONTACT HAD TO PRY OPEN THE HOOD OR IT WILL NOT OPEN. CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL NOT WORK, AND THAT WAS WHAT FOGGED UP THE WINDOWS. HAD TO DASH OFF IN ORDER TO GET TO THE BLOWER. JULY 1, 2005 THE DOOR SENSOR WILL DING EVEN WHEN SHUT THE DOOR, AND IT WILL STAY ON UNTIL IT RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY. *AK

CONSUMER VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THEN DIED. *TS*** NAR RECEIVED 10-12-05*** WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH PUDDLES THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP AND STALLING. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE CRANK PULLEY, TENSIONER OR IDLER PULLEY. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

CAR "BOUNCING" A LOT, BROTHER IN LAW SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A BUBBLE IN THE TIRE. HAD THE TIRES CHANGED AND MY HUSBAND WAS CALLED OVER BY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD MY HUSBAND WE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOWED HIM THAT THE RODS FOR STEERING WERE LOOSE BUT THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE TIGHT. HE SAID IT WAS THE RACK PINION. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR WHERE I COULD HAVE IT FIXED AND CAME ACROSS 0 RECALLS YET HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE IN A 1999 FORD TAURUS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 FORD TAURUS AND HAS HAD CONSISTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. SHE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING FOR THE LAST 48,000 MILES FOR THE SAME THINGS. MOST RECENTLY LAST WEEK SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH THEY REPAIRED. . THEY CLEANED THE HUBS. SHE HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THEY REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTER, MACHINED ROTORS, AND PUT NEW BRAKE PADS ON. AT 1,700 MILES HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A NOISE SHE FROM THE BRAKES. THEY CLEANED THE HUBS. AT 22,466 BRAKES AND SERPENTINE BELT WERE CHECKED. THEY PUT A NEW SERPENTINE BELT ON AT 22,500 MILES. ALSO, HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. 4 MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A HEAD LAMP CONTROL SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILE, AND A NEW RADIO PUT IN.*AK THE A/C HAD ALO BEE WORKED ON TWICE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT READ IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE 2000-2001 FORD TAURUS INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE REAR COIL SPRINGS BREAKING AND COULD PUNCTURE A TIRE. THE INVESTIGATION NUMBER IS PE05054. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TAURUS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE. HE NOTICED THIS ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THE DEALERSHIP FOUND IT THEN. THE DEALER CUT THE SPRING SO IT WOULD NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE. HE WAS NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THEY DID, BUT IT WAS STILL BROKEN. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THIS CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION. HE IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

DT: THE BRAKE LINES TUBING RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THE CONSUMER LOST BRAKING ABILITY. HAD TO TAKE A SECTION OUT. TALKED TO DEALER, THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 26, 2005. WAS PULLING IT INTO THE SHED CHANGED THE OIL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. *AK THE TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED (F8DZ-2C287/AA, F6DZ-2L568/AA, F8DZ-26569/AA). THE CONSUMER HAD THE FACTORY PARTS REPLACED TO PREVENT FURTHER FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STILL HAS THE OLD PART IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERESTATE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ROUGHLY WHILE IN OVERDRIVE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE AND BOG DOWN. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $1600.00. THIS OCCURED EVEN AFTER THE LUBE TUBE WAS REPLACED BY FORD AS PART OF A RECALL PROGRAM.

SEAT BELT BECAME UNUSABLE. TWO OTHER SEAT BELTS IN SAME CAR WERE REPLACED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR SAME PROBLEM. A FOURTH SEAT BELT WORKS, BUT WITH DIFFICULTY. PAID DEALER TO REPLACE UNUSABLE SEAT BELT. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS PROBLEMS AND SOME RECALLS WITH SAME MODEL CAR BUT DIFFERENT RELEASE. *JB

WHEN YOU HIT THE HORN THE ENGINE TRIES TO CUT OUT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE CAR JERKS REALLY BAD LIKE YOU SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS HALF THE TIME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS YET. IT IS GOING INTO THE SHOP IN A WEEK. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON HIS 1999 FORD TAURUS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE RECALL WAS ON #04V332000 NHTSA, FORD# 04S17 ON THE SUSPENSION: FRONT COIL SPRING: PROTECTIVE SHIELD. THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT FORD RECOMMENDED IN THE CONSUMERS AREA ON MAY 19, 2005. THE VEHICLE DID NOT MAKE ANY NOISE UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE ON THE FRONT WHEEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL ON 04S17. THE OWNER STARTED NOTICING THE NOISE RIGHT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. THE OWNER CALLED THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE NOISE. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK ON JUNE 9, 2005. THE DEALER CHECKED AND SAID HE FOUND PROBLEMS IN THE FRONT SWAY BAR AND THE LINKAGES. THE DEALER SAID HE WOULD REPLACE THE SWAY BAR AND LINKS FOR $160.00. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CERTIFIED QUALIFIED MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SWAY BAR LINKS. THEN THE OWNER CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THEM HAVING THE SWAY BAR CHECKED. FORD TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE COULD GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. FORD WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN TOUCH WITH THE CONSUMER 10 DAYS PRIOR TO TODAY AND THEY WERE NOT. FORD TOLD THE CAR OWNER HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND ANY OTHER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE CAR REPAIR WORK WAS DONE. FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY ONE ELSE'S OPINION EXCEPT FOR THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WORD. THE CONSUMER

ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, I HEARD NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY 1999 FORD TAURUS AS I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT. AS I LEFT THE PARKING LOT, THE STEERING SEEMED "STIFF" AND ON HARD TURNS THERE WAS NOISE. AS A RESULT, I TOOK MY CAR IMMEDIATELY TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE ATTENDANT LOOKED AT THE STEERING FLUID AND FOUND IT TO BE "DIRTY" AND LOW. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT WE TRY CHANGING THE FLUID TO DETERMINE IF THAT WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT COSTLY DIAGNOSTICS. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED HOME (APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES) THE STEERING ONCE AGAIN WAS NOISY AND "STIFF". SINCE I WAS TO BE OUT OF TOWN UNTIL WEDNESDAY, I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24). THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND POWER STEERING FLUID PUMP WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,100. THE TAURUS HAS ONLY 48,700 MILES. AS I LOOKED AT THE DOT WEBSITE, I DISCOVERED 3 OR 4 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON THE 1999 FORD TAURUS. ONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAD 48,000 MILES.

I NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR AND HEAT IN MY 1999 FORD TAURUS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT A FREEZE PLUG ON MY ENGINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, AND ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE CAR. I SPENT A LITTLE OVER $200 TO REPLACE THE FREEZE PLUG (MOSTLY LABOR CHARGES). TWO MONTHS LATER, MY AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, SO I CHECKED ON THE ANTIFREEZE LEVEL, AND IT WAS AGAIN EMPTY. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ANOTHER FREEZE PLUG HAD FAILED, AND HE ESTIMATED IT WOULD BE BETWEEN $250 AND $450 TO REPLACE IT. I DO HAVE THE FIRST FREEZE PLUG; THE SECOND HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED YET.

DT: CONTACT STATES HER SEAT BELTS IN 1999 FORD TAURUS KEPT RETRACTING AND JAMMING. SHE NOTICED THIS IN OCTOBER 2000. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP 7 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS NOT TOLD HER WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED SEAT BELTS WERE VERY SHORT, AND WERE NOT PULLING OUT PROPERLY. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04S17-04M04 ON FRONT SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER SAID THE REAR SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THEDRIVEWAY WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED IT UP AND HE HEARD A LOT OF NOISE. CALLER SAID HE WAS LUCKY HE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. MANUFACTURER IS OFFERING NO HELP.*AK *JB

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS OCCASIONALLY UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR WHEN PARKED. PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AND THE DOORS COULD ONLY BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED MANUALLY. DEALER REPLACED THREE FAILED ACTUATORS ($500) AND THE DOORS BEGAN TO AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK AGAIN.

DT: CONSUMER CALLED IN REGARD TO A RECALL 04M04 HE RECEIVED IN 08-2004 REGARDING CORRODED COIL SPRINGS, CAUSING A RUPTURED TIRE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE REMEDY WAS TO MAKE A SHIELD AND TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN THIS SHIELD WAS READY. ON 12-30-04, VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. HE HAD THE COIL SPRINGS REPLACED. IN 1-05, CONSUMER RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL #04S17, EXPLAINING THE DELAY IN GETTING THESE SHIELDS PREPARED. IN 05-2005, HE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE RECALL. FORD SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT EITHER. NEITHER WOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE REPAIR WORK HE ALREADY HAD DONE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION ON WENT OUT AFTER THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. HE FELT THAT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN 2004. *AK

MY HUSBAND AND I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE THEN TOOK IT TO 2 MECHANICS. JUST LOW ON FLUID, NO OTHER PROBLEMS. WE CHECKED THE FLUID BEFORE WE DROVE IT AFTER THAT. THE LEVELS WERE NEVER LOW. ONE DAY ON MY HOME, I HAD STOPPED FOR A LIGHT ON A HILL. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN WAITED FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME I TRIED, THE CAR JERKED AND LUNGED FORWARD. I TOLD MY HUSBAND ABOUT IT WHEN I GOT HOME AND HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. WE CHECKED THE FLUID AGAIN, NO CHANGE. IT WILL GO INTO GEAR IF THE ENGINE IS COLD. BUT ONCE IT WARMS UP, NOTHING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 3 YEARS, TAKING UP SPACE AND COLLECTING DUST. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION. A THIRD INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS FRIED. IT WILL COST ROUGHLY $3,000 TO FIX IT. MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY AND I REFUSE TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THIS PIECE OF JUNK. I ALSO REFUSE TO MAKE ANY MORE PAYMENTS ON IT. I CAN'T SELL IT BECAUSE IT WON'T MOVE. FORD MOTOR CREDIT WILL NOT RELEASE THE TITLE UNTIL IT'S PAID FOR BUT WON'T COME AND GET IT. I CAN'T TAKE IT TO THEM. I WANT MY MONEY BACK, OR I WANT IT FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD IT TO MY HUSBAND SOLD OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND THERE IS N

THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED ON THE CONSUMERS 1999 FORD TAURUS. *JB A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN AUG 2004 REGARDING THE COIL SPRINGS AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND THEREFORE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE COIL SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE AT ANOTHER FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CONSUMERS CLAIM BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. *JB *NM

DT: ON 06/13/05 CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE. WHEN DRIVER WAS TURNING ON THE CAR SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. DRIVER TOLD HER HUSBAND, AND AS HUSBAND CAME OUT TO THE VEHICLE, HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM CRACKS IN THE HOOD. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE ALONG WITH TWO OTHER GARAGES, ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. THERE WAS AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR, WHO REPORTED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT OF LAKEWOOD ISSUED REPORT # 105-15803-1331-445. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATOR LOCATED OUT OF NEWHALL OWNER HAS THE PHONE NUMBER AND NAMES OF THE INVESTIGATORS. *AK

STEERING RACK IN 1999 FORD TARUS. PER THE AUTO SHOP THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TYPE OF VECHICLE, STATED THAT IT WAS JUST A POOR DESIGN

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD IN A 1999 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITH NO DAMAGE AND SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN (USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE) TO THE DEALER WHO SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED THAT THE STEEL TUBING OF THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE FAILURE. HAVING NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A FAILURE IN THREE DECADES OF BEING INVOLVED WITH AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE WITH SALTED ROADS, AND IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLE SPENT ONLY A FEW YEARS IN A NORTHERN CLIMATE PRIOR TO MOVING TO A SNOW-FREE AREA, CONSUMER REQUESTED AND WAS GIVEN THE FAILED BRAKE LINES AS EVIDENCE (STILL AVAILABLE). REPLACING THE BRAKE LINES COST OVER $100 IN PARTS AND SUPPLIES AND OVER $360 IN LABOR, FOR A TOTAL BILL OF $471.18. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE REVEALED OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TAURUS (SEE ODI #10117988 AND #10124628) WITH NO INVESTIGATION INITIATED BY EITHER FORD OR NHTSA. EVIDENTLY INVESTIGATIONS DO NOT HAPPEN UNLESS THERE IS A FIRE, DEATH, INJURY, ETC., AND THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED: A TAURUS THAT HAD ALREADY EXITED A HIGHWAY; ONE IN A MCDONALD'S DRIVE-THRU; AND THIS ONE ON AN ISOLATED ROAD. IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE THAT NO ACTION IS TAKEN ON SUCH AN OBVIOUS MATERIAL DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKING WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO

GAS TANK RUSTED THROUGH, AND LEAKING.

1. NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. 2. REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTION MECHANISMS FAIL. REPLACED 1, UNIT FAILED AGAIN. NOW NEITHER OF THE 2 UNITS WORK. UNABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS. 3. 1 PART REPLACED, FAILED AGAIN WITHIN 1 YEAR.

CRUSIE CONTROL SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. DEALER SPENT AN HOUR FINDING PROBLEM WHICH HE SAID WAS CASUED BY SWITCH ON BRAKE PEDAL LOSING ADJUSTMENT.PAID $90.00 TO "ADJUST". SEVERAL MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED.

LOWER BALL JOINTS LOOSE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED.

I HAVE A 1999 FORD TAURUS I HAVE THE ANTI-BREAK SYSTEM (ABS). I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND NEVER MADE ANY NOISE UNTIL THE PAST WEEK. I BROUGHT IT INTO FORD GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT IS COMMON AND DON'T WORRY. WHILE DRIVING I FEEL PULSATION AND VIBRATION WHILE BREAKING. WHEN I DO GO SPEED ABOVE 10MPH IT STOPS. IF I STOP AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND START AGAIN IT AGAIN VIBRATES AND PULSATES. IT IT SCARY BECAUSE YOU FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. THEY TELL ME IT IS COMMON AND IN THE MANUAL. IF IT DID THIS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR OR ANYONE THIS MODEL I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD OF SOLD A CAR. I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE AWARE OF IT.

CAR: 1999 FORD TAURUS SE SEDAN A PROBLEM HAS STARTED OCCURING WITH MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS SINCE OCT 2004. THE WIPERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING, WHEREBY THEY COME ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN THE WIPER-SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY DEALER ( DILLON FORD, 30 TOLLAND TURNPIKE, MANCHESTER,CT ) TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM EXAMINED AND FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $75.00 TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIANS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE NTO ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND FELT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE A FAILED GEM MODULE. I ORDERED A NEW GEM MODULE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD MY GEM MODULE REPLACED. THIS COST ME ABOUT $400.00. THE REPLACEMENT DID NOT FIX MY PROBLEM AT ALL. I STILL HAVE IN MY POSSESSION MY OLD GEM MODULE; THE CAR HAS THE NEW GEM MODULE. I TOOK THE CAR AGIAN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 05/20/2005 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, HOWEVER THE TECHNICIANS AGAIN REPORTED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. MEANWHILE I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE MALFUNCTIONING WIPERS, AND I FEEL THIS IS NOT ONLY A HUGE IRRITANT, BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD.

ON APRIL 23, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 2100 HOURS ON INTERSTATE 59 SOUTH IN RURAL ALABAMA MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A TIRE MALFUNCTION IN MY FORD TAURUS. THE TIRES TREAD TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED CAUSING EXTENSIVE BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (APPROX. $1800). MY OWN PERSONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT SITE AND TIRE ALONG WITH THE STATEMENTS OF THE WRECKER DRIVER AND BODY SHOP REPRESENTATIVE SHOW THAT THE TIRE WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE IS EERILY SIMILAR TO THE DEFECTIVE SUV TIRES RECALLED BY FIRESTONE A FEW YEARS AGO. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE TIRE MANUFACTURER TO INFORM THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIRS. TIRE INFORMATION: LEMANS TOURING P205/65R15 M+S DOT HYUR LT4 DO5L

WHILE GOING THROUGH A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AT RUSH HOUR, MY 1999 FORD TAURUS JUST STOPPED. IT WILL ONLY OPERATE IN REVERSE. THE CAR HAS JUST UNDER 50,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THERE HAS TO BE SOME DEFECT FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH SUCH REASONABLE MILES.

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN# 04V332000 CONCERNING THE COIL SPRINGS WHICH WAS MANDATED BY LOCATION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND REFUSED TO DO THR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE. *AK *SC *JB

RECALL 04V332000 FOR THE COIL SPRING WAS ISSUED. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART, AND HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE AUGUST OF 2004. *AK FORD TOLD CONSUMER PART TO CORRECT PROBLEM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST 2005. *BF *NM

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR,THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON PERIODICALLY WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON.THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WITH OR WITHOUT HAVING MADE A TURN. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 40 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR.MY FORD DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE THE PROBLEM HAPPEN,THEREFORE,THEY CAN'T FIX IT.THIS SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH A 2ND 1999 TAURUS THAT I OWN AND MY SON DRIVES.PRETTY STRANGE COINCIDENCE,WOULDN'T YOU SAY?MY FEAR IS THAT WHEN I NEED THE WIPERS TO WORK SOMEDAY THEY WILL FAIL COMPLETELY AND NOT GO ON AT ALL.

RECALL 04S17 PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX CAR.WAS TOLD IN AUGUST 2004 THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER 2004, IN JANYARY 2005 GOT POST CARD SAYING PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH 2005 IT'S NOW MAY 2005 AND HAS NOT HEARD FROM MANUFACTURER ON PARTS. *AK

CONTACT STATES: DROVE CAR 1/2 MILE USING HEADLIGHTS BY THE TIME SHE ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF FRONT DRIVER SIDE HOOD ABOVE THE HEADLIGHTS. SMELLED BETWEEN TAR AND GLUE SMELL. IT SMELLS EVEN WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT IN USE DROVE LESS THAN 1/2 MILE. FORD DEALERSHIP DID SAY IT SOUNDED ELECTRICAL.

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL IN AUG 2004 REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS #04V332000 (MFG RECALL #04217). THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT WAS INFORMED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER SHE WOULD RECEIVE LETTER INDICATING WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. AS OF 4/22/05 NO LETTER REGARDING PARTS AVAILABLE. THE LETTER INDICATED REPAIRS MUST BE DONE BY JULY OR THE OWNER IS LIABLE FOR REPAIRS. *JB