1996 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING IN ANY INTERVAL POSITION. *AK

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSED TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL, DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD SCATTERING GLASS THROUGH OUT VEHICLE AND CONSUMERS.

SOME QUESTIONS, I WAS NOT SURE ABOUT SUCH AS THE DRIVETRAIN, ETC. IN MOST CASES I SAID I DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT, DID NOTIFY THE DEALER. MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS REGARD MANUF. DEFECTS & MAY NOT BE SAFETY-RELATED EXCEPT FOR THE 1 ABOUT THE PARK PAWL RECALL #96S51; IN THIS CASE, I HAD DONE SEARCH OF RECALLS ON MY CAR MAKE & MODEL THRU CERTAIN INTERNET WEB PAGES & FOUND THERE WERE 5-6 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I CALLED FORD CUST. SVC. & GAVE MY VIN # TO FIND OUT WHICH ONES APPLIED TO MY CAR. I FOUND 2 OF THEM APPLIED TO MY VIN #. I SUSPECT THAT FORD IS NOT NOTIFYING ME OF THESE RECALLS. ONE RECALL--NOT SAFETY RELATED, #98B23, I FOUND OUT ABOUT FROM A SVC. MGR. @ A DEALERSHIP. WHEN I CALLED FORD CST. SVC. & TOLD THEM I HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED, REP SAID THEY HAD SENT THE LETTER 2 WEEKS PRIOR. WHEN I ASKED FOR A COPY OF THE RECALL LTR, I GOT A BIG RUN-AROUND ABOUT HOW FMC COULD NOT SEND ME A DUPE LETTER SINCE THERE WAS STILL 1 FLOATING AROUND IN THE U.S.P.S.(EVEN THOUGH THE LTR WAS SPECIFIC TO MY VIN #). I FINALLY RAISED ENOUGH "CAIN" TO GET THEM TO SEND ME THE LTR, BUT, IT WAS 2 LATE, MY CAR WAS ALREADY EFFECTED BY THE "HEATING & COOLING" RECALL. THE NEXT RECALL, #96S51, WHICH IS SAFETY-RELATED;I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF; FORD CST. SVC. SAID THIS RECALL SVC. HAD BEEN PERFORMED AT BOOMERSHINE FORD IN DULUTH, GA ON 3/15/97. WHEN I TOLD THEM THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, CS SAID POSSIBLY I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR ANOTHER SVC. & IT WAS DISCOVERED BY THE SERVICE TECH THAT THERE WAS AN "OPEN RECALL" & THEY PERFORMED THE SVC. @ THAT TIME. I DO NOT HAVE RECORD OF THIS NOR DOES THE DEALER. IN ORDER FOR ME TO FIND OUT IF THE SVC WAS PERFORMED, IT WOULD BE @ MY EXPENSE. FORD CS TOLD ME TO HAVE THE DEALER TO CONTACT THE REGIONAL REP FOR THEM AND HAVE THE WORK AUTHORIZED, HOWEVER, NEITHER OF THEM ARE WILLING TO GIVE ME THE NAME OF THE REG. REP. I CONTACTED BOTH FORD CS AND THE SVC. MGR. @ THE DEALER. EACH LEAVES IT UP TO THE OTHER TO

THE FRONT ROTORS ON THIS CAR HAVE BEEN TURNED TWICE (8/98 & 6/9/99) AND NEED TO BE TURNED OR REPLACED AGAIN (9/2000). THE REAR ROTORS WERE TURNED ON 2/28/2000. I FEEL THAT HAVING ROTORS TURNED ONCE A YEAR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK DONE THAT OFTEN ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS INDICATIVE OF A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE BRAKES. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL REGARDING MY CONCERNS.

VEHICLE LOST POWER AT 65 MPH.

TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND WATER PUMP ALL REPLACED IN FIRST 66K. THIS CAR HAS BEEN VERY EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN. I AM FORCED TO PURCHASE MY NEXT CAR FROM JAPAN OR EUROPE. SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING THE AMERICAN ECONOMY.

IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN RELATION TO THE DESIGN OF THE RACK AND PINION CAUSING A NOISE ON THE RETURN OF THE WHEEL. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP, FORD, THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM SHOULD BE REPLACED AND THEY ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. IN A CAR NOT EVEN THREE YEARS OLD THIS SHOWS A DEFINATE NEED FOR A RECAL OR AT LEAST SOME MANUFACTURER SUPPORT. THANK YOU

REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY. *AK *YC

THE SEAL BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT TO DRAIN COMPLETELY OUT. VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED.

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING OR APPARENT CAUSE.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND WAS MAKING A SHARP TURN AT THE OUTER PART OF CURVE, AUTOMATIC STEERING CONTROL BECAME INOPERATIVE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *AK

AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO WIRING HARNESS WEARING THROUGH INSULATION AND SHORTING TO THE GROUND IN THE AREA OF LEFT WHEEL WELL.

TWO TO THREE GALLONS OF WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE ENGINE BLOCK APPARENTLY DUE TO A COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE INVOLVING THE COLLAPSE OF THE HEAD GASKET. THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY BLEW OFF MY COMPLAINT, AND THE REPAIR DEALERSHIP (FRIENDLY FORD/NORTH MIAMI BEACH) SAID THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN RAINING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE ENGINE FOR RAINY DAYS. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE CAR (DEEL FORD/CORAL GABLES) WHICH AT FIRST SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OF CERTAIN 1996 FORD TAURUS FOR PRECISELY THIS PROBLEM, BUT WHEN THEY CHECKED MY VIN, THEY CLAIMED IT FELL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THAT RECALL, AND THEY REFUSED TO FURNISH AN EXPLAINATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, I DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE HAD ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR BILLS HAVE BEEN ENORMOUS. WE FIND IT INCONCEIVABLE THAT THE ENGINE/COOLING SYSTEM WAS NOT DEFECTIVE SINCE THERE IS NO OTHER EXPLAINATION IN OUR VIEW FOR THE ACCUMULATION OF TWO TO THREE GALLONS OF WATER IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. SINCE THIS IS A MASS PRODUCED VEHICLE, IF THIS HAPPENED TO US IT HAS PROBABLY HAPPEN TO OTHERS.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION/OVERDRIVE IS VERY HARD TO DOWNSHIFT WHEN VEHICLE HITS BUMPS ON THE ROAD. HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. PROBLEM HAS NOT IMPROVED, BUT IS GETTING STEADILY WORSE. *AK

BRAKE CALIPURS CONTINUE TO STICK AND RUB WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES. RADIATOR/COOLANT SYSTEM RUSTED OUT. FORD RECALLED THIS MODEL BECAUSE OF A HOSE IN COOLANT SYSTEM WAS IMPROPERLY PLACED. MECHANICS CLAIM PROBLEM WITH HOSE HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM.

EXPERIENCED GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO RIGHT. DIAGNOSED AS A SHORT RACK AND POWER STEERING RETURN PROBLEM. SERVICE TECH STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM "DOESN'T OCCUR UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS," AND COULDN'T PROVIDE A REASON FOR PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND I SHOULD BE REFUNDED MY COSTS FOR THE REPAIR. THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL ACTION BECAUSE THE PROBLEM, FROM WHAT I AM READING FROM OTHERS, IS TOO SYSTEMIC TO BE A COINCIDENCE. *AK

THE COOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS I DO NOT WANT TURNPIKE FORD TO DO REPAIRS ON MY CAR I KNOW THERE WORK AND DO NOT TRUST IT THAT IS WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED STILL GIVING US PROBLEMS THE COOLANT IN IT TURN TO A RUST THE HEATER WILL NOT GET HOT NOW THE TEMPERNTURE HAND ON GUAGE STAYS DOWN ON THE C ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE TRIED TO CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AND THE WILL NOT GIVE US A ANSWER ON THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN TOLL THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME SAY THAT FORD HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE IN SOME OF THE CARS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME I DO NOT HAVE THE FINICIAL MEANS TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. *AK

WHEN DEFROSTER IS ON THE WINDOWS ARE INSTANTLY FILLED WITH A THICK SOLID GREEN FOG, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. TSB IS OUT FOR PROBLEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

ENGINE TOOK IN WATER THROUGH AIR INTAKE AT BOTTOM OF LEFT WHEEL WELL, WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, AND MAKING A TURN THROUGH THREE TO FOUR INCHES OF WATER; ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SEIZED UP.

CONSUMER IS COMPLAINING THAT VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN IN HIGH TEMPERATURE FOR NO REASON. THIS CONDITION HAS OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER TO LET THEM KNOW IF IT OCCURS AGAIN, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. *AK

THROTTLE CABLE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIUOS ACCIDENT IF IT HAD OCCURED ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN AN INTERCHANGE. THE DEALER SAID THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOT, AND VEHICLE SLOWES DOWN A LITTLE IT WILL SHUT DOWN. ALSO, DASH LIGHTS COME ON, AND CAR IS DEAD. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

OXYGEN SENSORS WENT OUT WITHOUT THE "CHECK ENGINE" COMING ON. OWNER BELIEVES FORD HAS DISABLE THE WARNING.

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR TURNING THE WHEEL TO TURN A CORNER ONE HEARS A SQUEAKY NOISE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED SAID TIE ROD END HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE ISN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY AND STALLS. ALSO, AND TIRE SHAKE. *AK

SAYS IN MY REPORT THAT FINS WERE MISSING ON SHAFT OF WATER PUMP.

STEERING WHEEL AND AUTOMOBILE WOBBLES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *AK

TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM STOP SIGN VEHICLE APPEARS TO CHANGE GEARS, BUT THEN GOES INTO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT DEALER HAS NO REMEDY FOR PROBLEM. *AK

WHLE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY A TRAILER ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE AND CAME INTO CONSUMER'S LANE, HITTING HER VEHICLE AND DEMOLISHING IT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE IN A CAR ACCIDENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT INDICATIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF SMELLING ANTI-FREEZE THAT WAS COMING INTO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.VEHICLE BEEN AT DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, STILL NO CORRECTION WAS MADE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

STABILIZER BAR. VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT.

COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE AND OVERHEATS.

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING DURING DECELERATION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALER SHOP AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS ON SIX OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK STALLING MOSTLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ON A DOWN GRADE WHILE SLOWING, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL NOT STALL IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON, NOTHING COMES UP WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN HOOKED UP TO DIAGNOSTICS COMPUTER TO FIND OUT PROBLEM. *SLC

STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. STEERING WOULD GET SLUGGISH & MOAN. TOOK TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THAT THE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY/HOSE/ POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED REPLACING. HAD THEM REPLACED TWICE BEFORE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS LAST TIME MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. *AK

ABS BRAKE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKES TO PULSATE UPON APPLICATION. ALSO RADIATOR IS LEAKING BROWN FLUID DUE TO RUST.

WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING BRAKES TO VIBRATE UPON APPLICATION.

ENGINE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEMS. QCAW

VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DURING A COLLISION, RESULTED IN INJURIES. *AK

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IF IT OCCURRED AGAIN TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. *AK

HIT AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AT 25 MPH DUE TO A SUDDEN STOP, CAUSING AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE FLEW OFF, HITTING PASSENGER IN THE FACE, CAUSING A FRACTURED JAW .DEALER NOTIFIED. TWO INJURIES OCCURRED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 45-50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK

GAS PEDAL IS STICKING. PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED TO FORD AND REPAIRS WERE MAD., MANUFACTURER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, MANUFACTURER FOUND PROBLEM. REPAIRS TO BE MADE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK GEAR, CAUSING A COLLISION.

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, PUMP SHAFT SPLIT IN HALF.

ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND CONSUMER HAS AN APPOINTMENT FOR INSPECTION OF VEHICLE. *AK

BURNING OIL ODOR STARTS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. WHILE SITTING IDLE, THE ODOR EMINATES FROM THE ENGINE AND BLOWS THROUGH THE HEATING SYSTEM INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

DURING RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. WILL BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN OR DELAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN SITTING IN VEHICLE OR DRIVING THERE IS A COOLANT SMELL AND VAPORS ARE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE ENGINE. *AK