1997 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER CLOSING HIS SEAT BELT, IT WOULD RETRACT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. I HAVE NOT HAD THE DEFECT REPAIRED. THE BUCKLE RELEASES BY ITSELF APPROX 2% OF THE TIME, EVEN AFTER I PULL ON IT INITIALLY AND IT SEEMS SECURE. I WAS IN A ACCIDENT APPROX 2-3 YEARS AGO, AND THE BELT DIDN'T RELEASE. IT WAS A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH ON INJURIES. [XXX] *LN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DRIVING SOUTH ON I-75 AT 70 MPH. CLEAR DAY, NO RAIN. CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED AND DID TWO 360 DEGREE SPINS BEGINNING IN RIGHT HAND LANE AND COMING TO REST IN LEFT HAND LANE FACING TRAFFIC. TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR, SEVERELY DAMAGING LEFT REAR OF CAR. TRAFFIC REPORT WAS MADE. NO REPAIRS YET. *JB

97 FORD TAURUS WHEN IN PARK THE CAR WILL STILL ROLL FORWARD UNTIL YOU APPLY THE BRAKE,THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS #96S50 LOCAL FORD DEALER WAS HELPFUL BUT SAID MY [XXX] COULD NOT BE FOUND UNDER THIS RECALL BUT THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS RECALL STATES. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T REALLY NO WHAT TO DO SO THAT'S WHEN I CALLED YOUR NUMBER AND THEY SAID I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT ON LINE .NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED BY THIS YET,BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET THIS TOOK CARE OF,ANY HELP YOU COULD OFFER WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU. *JB UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE THE DATE BELOW BUT THIS TIME I DECIDED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AFTER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF WATER AND YOU TURN RIGHT, MY CAR TURNS OFF, THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN IT MAKES THIS SQUEALING NOISE. AND THEN IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP. I HAD THIS CHECKED OUT BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH MY FORD 97 TAURUS. I'VE DRIVEN THROUGH A LOT OF WATER GOING FORWARD IN THE CAR AND IT DOESN'T TURN OFF OR MAKE ANY NOISE, JUST WHEN TURNING RIGHT. I NEVER NOTICED IT WHEN TURNING LEFT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 65 MPH THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN HITTING A BUMP THE BRAKES BOUNCE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A CLINKING SOUND THAT COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIRESTONE WERE THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING AND REPLACED ON 6-15-02 AT 51070 MILES UNDER E.S.P OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING AGAIN ON 1-11-06 AT 87734 MILES TOTAL COST PAID $428.75. *NM

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON CODE#430 AND #340. TOLD BY PACIFICO FORD I HAVE AN EMISSION FAILURE AND I NEED 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND A CAM SENSOR AND CAM SYNCHRONIZER ON 1/11/2006 AT 89044 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE #2 CAM PARTS UNDER WARRANTY ON 11/04/2002 AT 55616 MILES. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT A RETAINER WALL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED ,AND IS CURRENTLY AT A SALVAGE YARD. THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION TO SEE WHY THE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED THE AIR BIG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKED FOUR TIMES AND THEN WENT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR SECONDS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING THIS PATTERN WAS REPEATED OVER AND OVER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

1. DRIVING AT CITY TRAFFIC SPEEDS (25-30 MPH) IN PHILADELPHIA. CAR LOST POWER AND STALLED. UPON RESTART WOULD IMMEDIATELY STALL WHEN IDLE. 2. WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING, TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP 3. INFORMED BY FORD DEALER THAT THE CAMSHAFTS WERE BENT AND I NEEDED A REPLACEMENT ENGINE FOR $13,000.00. *NM

THERE WAS A CHAIN LIKE TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I AS A TECHNICIAN OBSERVED IT TO BE A CAMSHAFT GETTING READY TO FAIL, WHEN IT FAILED MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS DRIVING LUCKILY ON A SIDE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD LOST ALL POWER AND MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER, NOW THE 1997 SHO JUST SITS B/C I CAN NOT AFFORD THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS! ESPECIALLY WITH A BABY ON THE WAY. *JB

I OWN A 97 FORD TAURUS WAGON, I PURCHASED IT USED FROM A NON FORD DEALER IN 2000 WITH 43,900 MILES ON IT. IN MAY 2001 I HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT 54,000. MILES. NOW IN AUGUST 2005 AT 112,000 MILES ANOTHER TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE PUT IN. I DEFINITELY THINK THERE IS SOME TYPE OF PROBLEM OR DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS IF THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 10 YRS OLD & IS GOING ON IT'S 3RD TRANSMISSION. FORD DID REPLACEMENT OF THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION, TOLD ME IT WAS A NEW ONE. *JB

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1997 FORD TAURUS. I WAS IN CLARENDON HILLS, IL FROM JULY 22ND UNTIL JULY 31ST. ON JULY 26TH I SPENT THE DAY DRIVING MY CAR. AFTER I PARKED MY CAR AT THE HOTEL IT WAS AN HOUR LATER WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN A HISSING NOISE. THE NEXT DAY I WENT DOWN TO MY CAR. IT WAS AT THAT TIME I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SUNK DOWN. I WENT TO CHANGE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE AND AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I REALIZED SOMETHING WAS STUCK INTO THE SIDE OF IT. THE COIL SPRING SURROUNDING THE STRUT BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE MAKING IT GO FLAT INSTANTLY. I SPOKE TO TWO PEOPLE THAT MORNING THAT WERE STANDING OUTSIDE AND WITNESSED IT THE NIGHT BEFORE. THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. IT WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN. MY CONCERN IN THIS MATTER IS THAT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. WHAT IF I HAD DRIVEN ANOTHER HOUR? I FEAR IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO VEER OFF INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. MY TIRE WENT FLAT INSTANTLY AND IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEATH. I SPENT THE WHOLE MORNING CALLING REPAIR SHOPS. I FIRST BECAME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS WHEN I CALLED THE FIRST REPAIRMAN AND HE KNEW EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I HAD. HE SAID HE FIXES THIS PROBLEM ON FORD TAURUS' BETWEEN TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH. AFTER THIS I PROCEEDED TO CALL A FORD DEALERSHIP EXPECTING A RECALL. THE GENTLEMAN KNEW NOTHING OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE FORD TAURUS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS ON OLDER AND NEWER MODELS OF THE TAURUS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY SISTER AND HER HUSBAND OWN A 2001 FORD TAURUS AND THEY HAD A RECALL ON THEIR CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALL THAT WAS DONE WAS PUT A SHIELD AROUND THE COIL SPRING SO THAT WHEN IT DOES BREAK IT DOES NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHY WOULD THEY NOT HAVE A RECALL AND JUST REPLACE IT? I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THIS INCIDENT COST ME $700. I DO HAVE THE OLD COIL SPRING THAT BROKE. I DO FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD COMPENSATE ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *NM

I HAVE A 1997 FORD TAURUS LX. I WAS ON MY WAY TO LAS VEGAS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND SOMETIMES NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO TURN AROUND AND HEAD HOME(IN ORDER TO NOT GET STRANDED IN VEGAS) AND ON THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO NOT WORK AT ALL. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE ABOUT 45 MPH THE WHOLE 3 HOURS BACK TO MY HOME ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS CALLS AND EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE SAID THAT YEAR TAURUS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS...WHY DOES FORD NOT RECALL THE TRANSMISSION?*JB

INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT TURN OFF, THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AS IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED MORE THAN ONCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

DT: CONSUMER HAS 40000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND VEHICLE HAD TO 3 TRANSMISSIONS. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING TO FLORIDA ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT PULL. THIS WAS AT 27, 000 MILES. AT 40000 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE GARAGE. VEHICLE IS IN GARAGE TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED, WHEN CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID HE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER OFTEN FOR DIFFERENT REPAIRS. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. CONSUMER HAS HAD ALL RECALLS REPAIRED ON VEHICLE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING ELSE IN CAR CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN LESS THAN 4000 MILES A YEAR. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED WITH ABOUT 20,000 MILES. CONSUMER OWNED VEHICLE FOR 6 YEARS. SAME DEALER HAS DONE ALL REPAIRS ON VEHICLE, EXCEPT ONE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN LIMA, OHIO. THIS WAS DONE BY FORD DEALERSHIP.*AK

RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR TAURUS MODEL YEARS 1999-2001 FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE EARLIER MODEL YEARS. I WAS LUCKY, IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON OPEN HIGHWAY.

DT: BRAKE LINE RUBBED THE BRACKET THAT THE SHIFTING ROD RUNS THROUGH, WHICH WORE A HOLE, AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL.*AK *NM *NM

RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. FORD HAS A RECALL FOR TAURUS MODEL YEARS 1999 - 2001 FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE. AS THIS IS A CRITICAL FAILURE MODE, I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE EARLIER MODEL YEARS.

OVERHEAD DOME LIGHT SHORTED OUT, REPAIRED SHORT, $110.00. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ALARM SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, REPLACED ALARM SYSTEM WITH 2005, AND REPLACED COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS. *JB

THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 FORD TAURES. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR MY POWER WINDOWS & NOW MY DASH LIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS DON'T WORK. I WAS LOOKING AT THE LIGHTS & THE SOCKET IN WHICH THE BULBS GO ARE BURNED. MOTOR CAUGHT SLIGHT FIRE BUT CAN'T FIND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK

1997 FORD TAURUS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. *MR THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT DUE TO THE WRONG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB

1WHILE DRIVING 1997 TAURUS SHO AT 38672 MILES, THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE LEFT SPRING HAD BROKEN. *TS THE INCIDENT DESTROYED THE CONSUMER'S SNOW TIRE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT MAYBE THIS IS A NORTHEASTERN PROBLEM DUE TO THE SALT AND MOISTURE THAT CAUSES THE SPRING TO DETERIORATE. FORD ANNOUNCED 900000K TAURUS' FROM 1999-2001 WERE BEING RECALLED FOR THE PROBLEM THAT THE CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED. *SC

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1997 TAURUS. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO, THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS EXITING OFF A HIGHWAY; THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. SINCE I WAS RELATIVELY CLOSE TO HOME, I DROVE CAUTIOUSLY BACK TO MY HOUSE, AFTER WHICH I CALLED A TOW TRUCK THE TAKE THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SHOP INFORMING ME THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM WAS RUSTED & ROTTED AWAY AND THAT THE FLUID HAD COMPLETELY LEAKED OUT. THE MECHANIC SAID IN HIS 20 YEARS HE HAD NEVER SEEN A BRAKE LINE SYSTEM RUST SO COMPLETELY IN SUCH A YOUNG CAR. IN FACT, HE SAID, IT SHOULD BASICALLY LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, NEVER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. AFTER ALL WAS SAID AND DONE, THE JOB COST ALMOST $800. I ASKED TO SEE THE OLD LINES AND COULDN?T BELIEVE HOW RUSTED AND ROTTED THEY HAD BECOME. THERE WAS NO PROTECTIVE SHEATHING ON THE LINES. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THESE REPAIRS SINCE IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE MECHANIC DID MENTION THAT HE HAD RECENTLY BEEN SEEING A LOT OF YOUNG FORD MODELS COMING IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR RUSTING AND FAILING BRAKE LINE SYSTEMS. ALSO, WHILE SEARCHING THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE FOR SIMILAR DEFECTS, I FOUND COMPLAINTS LODGED ABOUT THE ROTTING OF THE HARD TUBING, CAUSING THE BRAKE LINES TO BURST. IN THESE CASES, THE CARS WERE 1997 TAURUS?. MY MECHANIC FIXED THE ENTIRE LINE SYSTEM, COMPLETELY REPLACING ANY OLD PARTS WITH NEW, CUSTOM MADE TUBES. I KEPT THE OLD TUBING JUST SO I CAN SHOW FORD WHAT THEIR CARS ARE RELYING ON FOR STOPPING. THE ENTIRE JOB CAME TO ALMOST $800.*AK

AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

MY FIANCEE'S HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN ON HER 1997 FORD TAURUS (SPELLING). IS THIS NORMAL BECAUSE THE MECHANIC THAT WE WENT TO SAID "OH I BET I KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I BET THE HEADGASKET IS BLOWN." HOW LONG IS THIS HEAD GASKET SUPPOSED TO LAST. SHE ONLY HAS 140,000 MILES ON HER CAR AND DOES REGULAR MAINTANENCE ON IT.*AK

I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE SAME LOST OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES,I HAVE ALSO NOTICE THAT WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL IT MAKES A SQUEAKING SOUND.HAD THE CAR CHECKED WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE LUBED.HAD IT LUBED CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING.A COWORKER HAS A 1997 FORD TAURUS LIKE MY CAR AND THEY ARE EXPERENCING THE SAME NOISES. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. *AK

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT COMMENCED TO ROLL FORWARD AND HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK

MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . IT WAS PARKED AT 8 P.M ON SAT 2/05/04 AND AT AROUND 4 A.M 0N 2-06-05 I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT AND WORKED ITS WAY TOWARDS THE BACK. *JB

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON HAS BEEN ON FOR FEW MONTHS. CAR SEEMS TO RUN OK BUT CAN NOT GET CAR INSPECTED BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO AUTO ZONE THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS AND SAID THERE WHERE TWO CODES THAT CAME UP AS A FAILURE. I READ ON YOUR WEB SITE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL IN DEC. 2001 ON THE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM UPGRADE. *JB

ON MY 1997 FORD TAURUS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO LATCH. ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. *JB

THE SEAT BELT IN MY VEHICLE RANDOMLY COMES UNFASTENED WHEN I AM DRIVING. EVEN WHEN I PULL ON THE BELT AFTER FASTENING THE BUCKLE AND IT SEEMS SECURE, IT SOMETIMES STILL POPS OUT. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT WITH SOME STONE GUARD RAILS ON ROUTE 18 NORTH IN EATONTOWN, NEW JERSEY. MY SEAT BELT RELEASE ON IMPACT AND SENT ME FLYING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR ON TOP OF MY BOYFRIEND. ALSO THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. AND WE HIT THE GURAD RAILS AT 65 MPH. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR SOMETHING BACK FROM SOMEONE AT THE FORD HEADQUARTERS. BECAUSE MY BOYFRIEND AND I COULD HAV LOST OURS LIVES DUE TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS CAR. THE CAR IS TOTALED OUT. ANDMY BOYFRIEND ONLY WALKED AWAY WITH A BRUISED SHOULDER AND WHIPLASH, WHILE I ON THE OTHER HAND HAD A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH AND VARIOUS MUSCLE STRAINS. I THANK MY GOD . *AK

ON DECEMBER 21, 2004 MY 1997 FORD TAURUS SHO BEGAN MAKING A TICKING NOISE. TWO DAYS (AND ABOUT 20 MILES) LATER, THE LEFT EXHAUST CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AND NOT RESTART. AS A RESULT OF THE SPROCKET SLIPPING, THE NO. 5 CYLINDER'S PISTON WAS CRACKED DUE TO COMING IN CONTACT WITH AN OPEN VALVE (THIS IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE). 15,000 MILES AGO, THE LEFT INTAKE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILED, RESULTING IN A $2900.00 REPAIR BILL FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP. UNABLE TO AFFORD THE COST OF SUCH A REPAIR AT THIS TIME (NOT TO MENTION UNWILLING TO DEAL WITH THE SAME FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT WANTED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS HARDLY EVER HAPPENS AND THAT I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE IT THE FIRST TIME), I OPTED TO ATTEMPT THE PROCEDURE MYSELF. AFTER FINDING AND REMOVING THE FAULTY CAMSHAFT, I THOUGHT MY PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED UNTIL I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS. THE NO. 5 CYLINDER PLUG WAS COVERED IN OIL, WHICH MEANS THERE IS A BAD PISTON/RING, AND MOST LIKELY VALVES. I AM CONSIDERING MY OPTIONS TO REPAIR OR PART THE CAR OUT NOW. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY FORD DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT WILL ARISE WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ON A FREEWAY. THE LOSS OF POWER BRAKES AND STEERING THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A STALLED ENGINE COULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRAFFIC TO A "SAFE" SPOT ON THE SHOULDER. THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE AT WWW.V8SHO.COM (IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE SO MANY REGISTERED FAILURES WITHOUT THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF A PROBLEM BY FORD). *JB

VEHICLE MOVING DOWN A HILL. POWER BRAKES AND STEERING LOST POWER,ENGINE STILL RUNNING, BUT NO POWER TO BRAKES OR STEERING. FINALLY STOPPED VEHICLE WITH NO INCIDENT. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING RESTORED.*AK TOOK TO SERVICE.REPLACEMENT WAS MADE TO CAMSHAFT SENSOR. PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, BUT RETURNED ABOUT 6 MOS. LATER...SAME CIRCUMSTANCES,ONLY IN FIRST INCIDENT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY.

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. *JB

WHILE BRAKING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD INTO THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS CHANGING, WENT TO PUMP THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. BRAKE LINE COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK. *AK

WHEN DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CONSUMER LOST POWER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB *ER *JB

VEHICLE STALLS MOMENTARILY AND THEN SUDDENLY JUMPS INTO GEAR WHILE DRIVING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 14 MONTHS AGO AT A COST TO ME OF $2684 AND NOW I'M TOLD IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED. FIRST, HAD IT TOWED TO HIS HOME. CONSUMER WILL HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER LATER. TRANSMISSION FAILED. AFTER VEHICLE STOPPED CONSUMER TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON. WHEN HE TURNED IT BACK ON AND TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. *AK

CAMSHAFT STRIPED OUT CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. *JB

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING FRONT COILS SPRINGS WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE WHEN OPERATED IN HIGH CORROSION AREAS. *NM *SC THE CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT 5 MONTHS BEFORE GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WOULD ONLY REPLACED THE COIL SPRING IF THEY CRACKED. *JB

WHEN CONSUMER WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STOPPED. THEN, SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE. FROM THAT POINT ON EACH TIME VEHICLE CUT OFF, RESTARTED, AND MOVED A BIT. AFTERWARDS, VEHICLE CUT OFF AND CONSUMER RESTARTED IT UNTIL HE GOT HOME. THEN, HAD IT TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO TOLD HIM THAT THE SPROCKET CAME LOOSE. MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE THE LABOR AND PARTS WOULD COST ABOUT $6000.00 - $8000.00. CONSUMER TOLD MECHANIC NOT TO BOTHER BECAUSE HE COULD NOT AFFORD IT. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HIS HOME. *AK THE CAM SHAFT WAS BROKEN, 2 CYLINDERS WENT BAD, THE TRANSMISSION WAS AFFECTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL POSSIBLY DUE TO THE COIL PACKS AND THE STRUTS WENT BAD. *SC

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT. THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DEFLATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING SHEARED OFF AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE IN THE PROCESS. *AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS INSPECTING HIS VEHICLE, HE FOUND THE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED OUT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *NM

SPEEDOMETER WOULD STOP OPERATING AND VEHICLE WOULD STALL AFTER DRIVING TWO MILES. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS. EACH MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT MIGHT BE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR THE OXYGEN SENSOR . *AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE MADE A CLUMPING NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE HEARD THE NOISE, BUT COULD NOT TELL FROM WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

THIS COMPLAINT WAS FILED VIA E-MAIL. THREE DAYS AFTER PURCHASING AND INSTALLING FOUR NEW TIRES, ONE OF THE TIRES WENT FLAT, AND A PIN HOLE LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE SIDEWALL, NEAR THE BEAD. TWO MONTHS LATER, MADE A LEFT TURN TOO WIDE AND CLIPPED A CURB. THIS RESULTED IN FRONT RIGHT TIRE LOOKING LIKE IT WAS CUT IN MULTIPLE PLACES THROUGH THE PLYS IN THE SIDEWALL. AT THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SHOWED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL. PEP BOYS IMPLIED THERE WAS NO DEFECT ON THESE TIRES, AND OFFERED NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. COOPER, FUTURA PLUS TOURING SE. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS THE DEFECTIVE TIRES IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM