1998 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

REAR RIGHT SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE, UNABLE TO RETRACK BELT FROM TRACK POSITION, TO LOCK.*AK

A "SQUEAKING" NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM LEFT FRONT END OF VEHICLE WHILE PARKING OR TRAVELING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT TIE ROD ON DRIVER'S SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

PE00 020 ; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAT AND NOTICED THAT VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. HE WAS IN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDERS. LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. IT WAS GOODYEAR TIRES. CONSUMER WILL FILL IN MORE INFORMATION THEN NEEDED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *AK ALL 4 TIRES BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED.*TS *JB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON ALL DAY. HAD VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY SEVERAL DEALERS, AND THEY ALL CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.*AK

INTERIOR LIGHT TO ALERT ANY DOOR IS OPEN, COMES OFF AND ON WITHOUT ANY DOORS BEING OPEN.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER FAIL TO FUNCTION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK GEAR ENGINE WILL REV UP TO 3500 - 4000 RPMS. ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING DOWN ROAD AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AFTER HE TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. BRAKES HAVE TO BE PRESSED TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN, HAPPENS RANDOMLY AS WELL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

DOME AND DOOR LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON. *AK DEALER REPLACED DRIVER DOOR SWITCH. BUT PROBLEM REOCCURED IN ADDITION TO THE WARNING BELL CHIMING WHEN KEYS ARE IN IGNITION WITH THE DOORS CLOSED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *TT

WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED AND WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH AND SLOW TO 10 MPH TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP COMPLETELY, DEALER REPLACED THE BELTS BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *YD

HUBS ON THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CHAFED SEVERAL TIMES. VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK

THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON WENT OUT CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE INTO GEAR ONCE STOPPED. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

STEERING GOT TIGHT, WHEN TURNING WHEEL, IT MADE NOISE. RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

PASSANGER SEAT RESTRAINT LOCKS WHEN A LARGE PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. EVERYTIME THE BELT REALS IN A BIT IT STAYS LOCKED, RESULTING IN A VERY TIGHT AND UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE. REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELT SOME MONTHS AGO RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR A WHILE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS RE-EMERGED, AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UNIT AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO BE UNSAFE RIDING IN A CAR WITH THE SHOULDER BELT SO TIGHT THAT MOVEMENT IS IMPOSSABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO MY FAT STATURE THE SEAT BELT IS MAL FUNCTIONING, BUT WHEN NORMAL SIZED PEOPLE ARE IN THE SEAT THE RESTRAINT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

POWER STEERING PUMP, RACK AND BALLJOINTS ALL FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE IS CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AND THERE IS ACCESSIVE SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

AFTER CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK ENGINE ACCELERATED, ENGINE REVVED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PART NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO FORD CHANGING DESIGN, TRYING TO GET PART. *AK TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YH

ON 01-19-01 SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN IT STRUCK THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THOUGH MY VEHICLE SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE, NEITHER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO PARK OR FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AS HE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SPEEDS UP AND CANNOT SLOW DOWN WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON BRAKES. THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK THE LEFT FRONT DRIVE WHEEL MAKES ROARING NOISE. THE VEHICLE ALSO TRYS TO PULL OFF WHEN BRAKING TO STOP. THE DEALER NEITHER CAN FIX IT NOR TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK. *YH

REAR WINDOW COME DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER WILL FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE RUPTURED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING BOOST. NO INJURIES. *AK

SPEEDOMETER SHUTS DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK

CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED, AND BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT SHINE AT SAME TIME. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT CONSUMER WANTED TO REPORT IT. *AK

I WAS AT A STOP WHEN THE ENGINE LUNGED AHEAD AND DIED,AT THE TIME I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT REPEATED THIS 3 OTHER TIMES. THE REPIRING DEALER SAID THE GROUND CABLE FOR THE PCM WAS LOSE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE CONTROL. THE LUNGING WAS QUITE VIOLENT. *AK

VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN DUE TO A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALER REPAIRED FOR 5TH TIME BY REPLACING STABILIZER BAR AND SWAY BAR. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT SPEAKER WAS DISTORTED WHEN PLAYING TAPES, THE HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN.*JB *TT

EVER SINCE I STARTED USED CRUISE CONTROL ENGINE ACCELERATES-RPM AT 2 1/2 WHILE PARKED

CAR HAS NO ENGINE BRAKING ON COAST DOWN. IN FACT THROTTLE SEEMS TO OPEN WHEN COASTING DOWN A GRADE. THIS REQUIRES BRAKING TO PREVENT RUNAWAY. BELIEVE THIS HAS RESULTED IN PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR AND WARPED ROTORS. THE LAST CAR I OWNED THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM WAS A 1972 NOVA, WHICH OPENED THE THROTTLE TO PREVENT NO2 EMISSIONS. I THOUGHT WE HAD PROGRESS. FORD NEEDS A BETTER WAY TO CONTROL EMISSIONS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE GENERAL TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *CJ

CAR CAME EQUIPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FROM FACTORY. AT THIS TIME THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF UNLESS I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT EFFECTED THE BACK LIGHTS IN ANY WAY. THEY ARE CONTROLLED WITH THE LIGHT SWITCH, BUT NOT THE HEAD LIGHTS. PLEASE ADVISE. *AK

SPEEDOMETER WOULD AGITATE WHILE DRIVING, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CORRECT SPEED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO 3 RPMS WHEN IN PARK. ABS LIGHT STAYS ON SINCE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED 8-9 MONTHS AGO.*AK

DISTANCE BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE DESIGNED POORLY. WHEN TRANSFERING FEET FROM ONE PEDAL TO ANOTHER, CONSUMER'S FOOT WILL GET STUCK BETWEEN THE PEDALS. *AK *TT

BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR OF PARTS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE BEING MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

2-YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, PROBLEM WAS A FACTORY DEFECT--ONLY EXPLANATION. I WILL PROCEED TO PLACE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT IN FULL!

CRUISE CONTROL PICKS UP SPEED WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS. DEALER & THE CONSUMER BOTH TEST DROVE A 2000 TAURUS & THE VEHICLE ALSO INCREASED IN SPEED. CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS 1994 TAURUS WAS TRADED IN FOR THIS 1998, DIDN'T DO THIS.*AK

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED. DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE DEFECT. DAMAGE: $1,500. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFTEY PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY REPORTED FOR MODEL YEARS 1996 THROUGH 1999. WHY HASN'T THE GOVERNMENT TAKEN ANY ACTION? I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE DID NOT LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT. I WAS ONE OF THE FORTUNATE ONES. THIS NOT ONLY PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN JEOPARDY, BUT PEDESTRIANS AS WELL!

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS FAILED; NO COOL AIR WAS COMING OUT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, IT WILL COST $1200.00. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 45MPH TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE INCREASED SPEED & MAINTAINED THAT SPEED. CRUISE CONTROL NOT ON. VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WITH BRAKING & RPMS HAD CAME DOWN WITHOUT BRAKING. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER FOR A CHECK.*AK VEHICLE TAKES OFF BY ITSELF AND CAN BE SLOWED ONLY BY BRAKING. *YH

PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AT 35 MPH THE LIGHT TURNED RED I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND I PUSHED THE BRAKES AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD'NT STOP .I RAN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND HIT ANOTHER CAR, CAUSING HIM TO HIT SOMEONE ELSE.IF THE SPEED ZONE HAD BEEN HIGHER SOMEONE COULD HAVE GOT KILLED.*AK

ROTOR SERVICE ON FRONT END OF VEHICLE ONCE EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, HOWEVER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TIRES SHAKING, CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT WHEELS WHEN TURNING, AND SQUEAKING NOISE IN REAR END WHEN BRAKING. THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER MAKE A BUZZING NOISE, THE BRAKES PULSATE. THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE AND ROTORS FAILED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE MAKES A BUZZING NOISE WHEN START. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE. *YH

AFTER ABOUT 60000 MILES THE SERPENTINE BELT THAT DRIVES THE POWER STEERING STARTED SLIPPING WHEN WE HIT A PUDDLE, CAUSING POWER STEERING TO STOP. BELT REPLACED AT 68,000, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED STARTING AGAIN AT ABOUT 85000 MILES. VERY DANGEROUS, UNEXPECTED FAILURES. DT

ROTORS REPLACED TWICE / RESURFACED 4X IN 30000 MI. PADS ALSO REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 30000 MI. VEHICLE SHAKES SIDE TO SIDE WILDLY WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT SPEED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 MPH AND ABOVE GRINDING AND PULSATION FROM FRONT BRAKES LEAD TO REPLACMENT OF BRAKE PAD AND ROTORS THREE TIMES AT 40,000 MILES ABS "ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT" REPLACED 50,000 MILES $700 REPAIR. *AK

ALTHOUGH I HAVE STATED MY VEHICLE WAS GOING AT A LOW MPH, THE VEHICLE THAT HIT MY BACK PASSANGER SIDE WAS GOING AT ABOUT 45 MPH FOR IMPACT, AT WHICH POINT MY CAR WAS SENT SPINNING AROUND, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP AND I HAD TO MANUALLY SHUT IT OFF.*AK