2011 Ford Taurus Engine Problems

The water pump failed on my Taurus, leaking coolant my into the engine, causing irrepairable damage

Driving on access rd. Car stalled in middle of traffic. Glad I was not driving on highway. Lucky several drivers helped push car into a gas station. Saw water leak under car. There were no codes or indicators of over heating. Let car cool off. Noticed water in coolant reservoir. still was able to add 1 gal and half of water. Car turned on, drove it home which is about 3 miles. Water leak near the oil pan and block. After a long cooling period, noticed 3 hairline cracks on the bottom part of block. Cracked block Checked oil and noticed the oil was real thin and milky. Signs of water pump failure. Car is sitting on driveway. Only option is to replace the 156k miles engine. Cost is very expensive. Don't have money to fix. There should be a recall for this issue. Very dangerous.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a parking lot. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic drained the oil and became aware that there was coolant mixed in with the engine oil. The contact diagnosed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,900.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the camshaft, cam phasers, and connecting rod bearings. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty water pump causing coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer twice, and the engine was replaced for the second and third time. The failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to Colorado Auto Finders (12351 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80112), where the ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to two separate independent mechanics, who diagnosed the vehicle with DTC Codes: P0300, P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected), and P0306 (Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 105,213.

Engine/ Water pump. Started the car one day and a massive plume of smoke came out of the exhaust. So far we have caught it early enough to where the whole engine doesn't have to be replaced. But the repair is costly. Shame on Ford for building this model of engine that has water pump failures that leak coolant into the oil. Especially when a vehicle has been well taken care of and maintained. This is causing $$$ to be spent.

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact was able to have the vehicle taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the water pump was faulty and that the timing chain was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Mechanics stated that the water pump fails often with these Taurus's. Some have to be replaced if found in time. Others like the consumer's give little to no warning and break. The interference engine causes a lot of valve and possible piston damage with the engine.

Failed Water Pump, water pump isn’t sending coolant through the mail engine so it’s overheating and engine light is on.

Had my Ford for less than 6 months, and has 80,000 miles on it. Looks brand new, in excellent shape and yet on the way home from the grocery store, it began overheating. The tempature gage shot up and the engine started cutting out. We pulled over and the vehicle was smoking. We started adding water and coasting down the mountain until we could get home. Called several mechanics and find out that this is a common problem with our year and model. Every person we've consulted has quoted us $3,000 to repair the water pump. We have been told that the excessive charge is because when Ford built this model, the water pump was placed inside the engine. The entire engine has to be taken out of the car in order to replace the water pump. Most mechanics around us don't even have the machine that is needed to remove the engine. Ford is backed up for months on repairs. Our vehicle has been sitting for two summers because we cannot afford this $3,000 repair for a water pump! We are making payments on a car that can't be driven. Something needs to be done about this. The more I dig and research, the more complaints for this very issue I find. We need help!

Attempted to start vehicle in driveway. Without warning, experienced a catastrophic failure of the water pump/engine cooling system. The failure caused the engine crankcase to fill with coolant and caused the vehicle crankshaft bearings to disintegrate into the oil leaving a silvery sludge. Upon taking vehicle to repair center, recommendation was to replace the entire engine since apparently the failure caused unrepairable internal damage to the engine. I have see other complaints about this where the failure happened while the vehicle was being driven and could have caused a very severe dangerous accident to occur as a result of the engine failure. Ford should be ashamed of the quality and workmanship in this motor since it appears to be a common an recurring problem.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RAY HASKELL FORD (801 KENNEDY MEMORIAL DR, OAKLAND, ME) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WITH NO WARNING. *JS

VEHICLE IN MOTION, TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGINS RISING RAPIDLY, IN LESS THAN A MINUTE AT TOP OF SCALE....PULLED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY, RESTARTED TO MOVE OVER FURTHER.....ALL LIGHTS LIT UP AND STEAM COMING FROM INSIDE ENGINE. WATER PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND DUMPED COOLANT IN ENGINE WHICH DESTROYED BEARINGS. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING

I HAVE A 2011 FORD TAURUS SEL THAT HAS LESS THAN 130,000 MILES ON IT THAT HAS EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. IT STARTED WITH A COOLANT LEAK WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. I NOTICED THE SMELL OF COOLANT. AFTER A WEEK OR SO, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING SOME NOISES. AT THAT TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE CAME ON AND THE VEHICAL WAS OVERHEATING AND THE OIL LIGHT ALSO CAME ON, KEEPING IN MIND THAT I HAD JUST CHANGED THE OIL. ALSO, WHEN THE OIL WAS CHANGED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SOME OTHER FLUID IN THE OIL (NOW AFTER SEEING ALL THE OTHER ISSUES, REALIZING IT WAS THE COOLANT THAT HAD LEAKED IN THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE FAILURE) ALL OF A SUDDEN, I EXPERIENCED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR SHUT OFF, I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING VERY HEAVILY. I BELIEVED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS ISSUE HAS NOT ONLY HAPPENED TO MY CAR BUT ALSO MANY OTHER TAURUS'S AS WELL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS MY CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH A LOSS OF ALL MANEUVERABILITY.

TIMING CHAIN STRETCH

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WE LOST HEAT AND THE CAR OVERHEATED. WE STOPPED THE CAR TO ENSURE IT WOULD NOT BE DAMAGED AND LET IT COOL OFF. WE WERE CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOME TO BRING THE CAR THERE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SHOWED ME THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE OIL. I ASKED HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? IS THERE ARE CRACK IN THE BLOCK OR THE HEADS? HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS MODEL OF ENGINE HAS WATER PUMP FAILURES THAT LEAK COOLANT INTO THE OIL. BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE THAT THIS CAUSES IT WOULD REQUIRE A NEW MOTOR. I HAVE ASKED THAT THE MECHANIC TAKE PICTURES OF THIS FOR EVIDENCE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH I WILL RECEIVE WHEN THE CAR IS FINISHED.

MY TAURUS JUST DIED ON ME, IT OVERHEATED AND I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOME SO I LET THE CAR COOL AS THE MANUAL SAYS TO DO AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN. GOT TO MY HOUSE SHUT IT OFF AND THEN FIND OUT THAT FROM DRIVING THE CAR IT CAUSED THE ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH THE OIL AND NOW I HAVE A BAD ENGINE. THIS ALL BECAUSE THEY PUT A WATER PUMP IN AN ENGINE. KNOWING THIS THEY TELL YOU IN THE MANUAL YOU CAN DRIVE THE CAR WHEN IT'S COOLED AND PUT WATER IN IT IF NEEDED. THIS WILL RUIN YOUR ENGINE!

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, TRAVELING UPHILL WHEN MY 2011 TAURUS SHO SPUTTERED AND QUICKLY LOST POWER FOR MORE THAN 5 SEC. WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I AM GLAD THERE WASN'T ANYONE DRIVING BEHIND ME BECAUSE I'M SURE THEY WOULD HAVE REAR-ENDED ME. ONCE I REGAINED CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND SPUTTERING AS IT WAS TRYING TO MAKE IT UP THE REST OF THE HILL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK. BY THE TIME I MADE IT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL THE VEHICLE SEEMED BETTER BUT I KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE IT WAS IN LIMP MODE. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY DRIVING AS CAREFULLY AS I COULD. I DID NOTICE THE CAR SHOOK MUCH MORE WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP FOR STOP-SIGNS, ALMOST LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. I EVEN RAN A COUPLE SIGNS BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE IT HOME, SAFELY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP GUS JOHNSON FORD IMMEDIATELY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. I TOOK IT IN, MY SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME DAYS LATER AND SAID HE ADVISED I PUT A WHOLE NEW ENGINE IN MY CAR. CYLINDER #4 MISFIRING, FOUND LEAK THAT IS CAUSING LOW COMPRESSION. HE SAID THEY COULD TEAR APART THE MOTOR AND INSPECT FURTHER BUT DOING A COMPLETE ENGINE ASSEMBLY COULD COST UPWARDS AROUND $10,000. I WAS PARALYZED! I FOUND OTHER STORIES AND COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE MINE WHEN I CAME HERE TO NHTSA. IF FORD WAS, OR STILL IS AWARE OF ANY DEFECTS TO THE ENGINE THROUGH MANUFACTURING OR BAD DESIGN THAT MAY CAUSE LOSS OF POWER, SHAKING, SHUDDERING, SPUTTERING, STALLING, LOSS-OF-POWER DURING ACCELERATION, THEY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

I HAD A INTERNAL WATER PUMP FAILURE FILLING THE ENGINE WITH COOLANT. THIS RESULTED IN A ENGINE HYDRO LOCK CONDITION (LUCKILY I WAS ABLE LIMP A VERY ROUGH RUNNING CAR IN THE EMERGENCY LANE AT 15MPH TO A NEARBY EXIT). HAPPENED FRIDAY EVENING FEB 3RD 2017 ON A COLD 27 DEGREE EVENING. I WAS STRANDED NORTH OF NASHVILLE, TN ON I65. THIS IS A VERY VERY BAD DESIGN FLAW. I AM MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND MOST CARS HAVE EXTERNAL WATER PUMPS -- EXCEPT THIS ONE. NOT JUST THE TAURUS, BUT ALL 3.5 (AND 3.7) MOTORS HAVE A INTERNAL WATER PUMP DESIGN; DRIVEN OFF THE OVERHEAD CAM CHAIN. WHEN IT FAILS, IT FAILS BIG, DUMPING ALL COOLANT (SEVERAL GALLONS) INTO THE CRANKCASE. END RESULT: IS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE FAILURE AS ALL COMPONENTS INCLUDING IN MY CASE THE ECO BOOST TURBOS SUBMERGED IN COOLANT / ANTIFREEZE. LEARNING NOW IT MAY BE $8-9K FOR A NEW MOTOR. BESIDES THIS EXPENSE IS TO KNOW THIS ENGINE WILL HYDRO LOCK WITH ALL THE COOLANT IN IT AND CANNOT BE EASILY DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION SEEMS VERY VERY DANGEROUS TO ME. IF THE EXIT WERE NOT LESS THAN A 1/2 MILE AWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK. NO ONE WANTS TO BE ON A DARK FREEWAY FOR 1-2 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK ON A COLD FRIDAY NIGHT. ALL IS TAKES IS ONE PERSON FROM BEHIND TO SLIP OFF INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THEN IT'S ALL OVER.

CATASTROPHIC WATER PUMP FAILURE LEAKED A LOT OF COOLANT IN OIL - DRIVER WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE MOTOR JUST DIED (STALLED), FORCING THE DRIVER TO HARD STEER TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY. THE GAUGE AT THE TIME JUST SUDDENLY JUMPED TO H - IN A SPAN OF FEW SECONDS AND ALL DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. VERY LITTLE STEAM WAS COMING OUT - VERY LITTLE FLUID WAS LEAKING. NOTICED SMELL OF COOLANT RIGHT AWAY. LOOKED/DOUBLE CHECKED UNDER THE CAR - LITTLE LEAK AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT MAYBE WATER PUMP OR AT LEAST RADIATOR HOSE LEAK, CHECKED THE COOLANT - IT WAS EMPTY. HAD IT TOWED TO PAUL MILLER FORD IN LEXINGTON. VERY UNFRIENDLY CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY MENTIONED THAT IT WAS A "CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE" - COOLANT HAD MIXED IN WITH THE OIL AND WAS PRETTY MUCH SITTING THERE. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS HAS NOT CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS I EXPLAINED IT WAS REAL DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTER IT STALLED. WE FOLLOWED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE - WE ARE VERY ANAL ABOUT THAT. MY HUSBAND HAS A FORD EXPLORER HIMSELF. I AM JUST AT DISBELIEF THAT WE HAD A ENGINE FAILURE AT 108,000 MILES. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS COMMON AMONG THE 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V ENGINE. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD HAD DESIGNED THE WATER PUMP TO BE INTERGRAL PART OF THE ENGINE (PRETTY MUCH INSIDE THE ENGINE NOW BEHIND THE TIMING CHAIN COVER, WHERE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE SEVERAL PARTS TO GET TO IT. MOST PEOPLE KNOW WATER PUMP FAILED BUT TO BE A PART OF INTERNAL ENGINE AND TO HAVE IT POUR COOLANT INTO ENGINE, MIXING UP WITH OIL AND SIT IN THE OIL PAN???? HUH? COSTED US SEVERAL GRAND TO GET THE ENGINE REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONSUMED THE WATER FROM THE RADIATOR, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE RODS TO SNAP. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ *TR