1998 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

WHILE GOING DOWN ROAD, THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING IT TO SLICE THE FRONT TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS, BOTH FRONT STRUTS, AS WELL AS BOTH STRUT MOUNTS. *JB

1998 FORD TAURUS WITH 68000 MILES. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. ONE FULL BROKEN COIL STILL ON STRUT. DAMAGED RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT. ONLY FOUND PROBLEM AFTER HAD LOOKED AT FOR LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID. APPARENTLY COIL FAILURE PULLED RACK APART ON END. RECALL FOR 1999-2001 ISSUED NHTSA #04V332/FORD RECALL 04S17. SEE OTHER WEBSITES WITH PEOPLE WITH 1998 MODEL YEAR HAVING SAME PROBLEM. WHY WASN'T RECALL EXTENDED TO 1998 MODEL YEAR? OR WAS IT? CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND NEVER IN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. OBVIOUSLY THE DESCRIPTION IN THE RECALL FITS MY SITUATION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY TO 20 MPH WHILE IN REVERSE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT WHEN FULL ACCELERATION ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING AFTER THE COLLISION UNTIL THE CONTACT SHUT THE IGNITION OFF. THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS NOT CONTROLLABLE WITH BRAKING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTRACTED THE 3 INJURED PASSENGERS FROM THE REAR WINDOW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. I GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE NOTHING WAS BLOCKING THE TIRES. I THEN PULLED THE CAR FORWARD AND HEARD A BANG. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION (SPRING). WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME (AAA) HE SAID HE HAS SEEN "MANY" TAURUS' THAT THIS HAPPENS TO. I AM GLAD I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THIS HAPPENED...*NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE THROTTLE SENSOR CONTROL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

MY 1998 FORD TAURUS HAS 134,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR. WE HAVE HAD IT FOR 6 MONTHS. IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT KICKS ITSELF OUT OF DRIVE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. SO FAR WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS--I QUIT DRIVING IT BUT I CAME VERY, VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT BY A SEMI-TRUCK WHEN IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I WAS VERY LUCKY!! I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS THINGS DONE TO IT BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO DO THIS. I AM VERY ANGRY AS I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE!!! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE BECAME FLAT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V332000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CONSUMER HAD BOTH SPRINGS REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED *JB

VEHICLE IS A SE WAGON, BUILD DATE 8/4/1998. PURCHASED NEW 8/26/1998. MILEAGE AT FAILURE IS 29,608 MILES. WHILE REVERSING AT UNDER 5 MPH, LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AT LOWER RETAINER. THE SPRING SLICED THROUGH THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT 1998 VEHICLES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL, ONLY 1993 AND 1999 THROUGH 2001. FORD WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING EXCEPT RECORD THE FAILURE. TOTAL BILL WAS $1,075 FOR REPLACING BOTH FRONT STRUTS, TWO FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS, 1 TIRE, ALIGNMENT, AND TOWING. FORTUNATELY THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED IN DRIVEWAY. *JB

ON APRIL 24, 2006, I EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW-OUT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN KEENE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING. THE TOW DRIVER HAD INFORMED ME OF A RECALL FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FOR 1999 TAURUS. MY CAR IS A 1998. I HAD TO REPLACE 2 FRONT TIRES BECAUSE OF THIS AND A SPRING. THE BILL TOTALED $537.78. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT 15 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WAS SPONGY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY BOTH THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR HAS NOT DISCLOSED THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

ON SATURDAY, MARCH 11,2006, I PARKED MY CAR IN MY CARPORT AT 7 PM, HAVING DRIVEN 30 MILES THAT DAY WITH NO PROBLEMS. IT REMAINED THERE UNTIL MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 13, 2006, WHEN I DISCOVERED A FLAT FRONT LEFT TIRE. THE AAA TOWER NOTICED THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY A COIL WHICH HAD BROKEN OFF FROM THE SPRING, PREVENTING HIM FROM RELEASING THE TIRE FROM THE WHEEL. THE FORD DEALER SAID MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, MY CAR CLEARLY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SPRING BREAK WAS CLEAN, THERE WAS NO RUST, AND THERE HAD BEEN NO PROVOCATION TO CAUSE A BREAK. HAD I BEEN DRIVING, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $875.00 TO REPLACE THE FRONT SPRINGS AND STRUTS AND TIRE. THE TOWER, FORD DEALER AND BOTH REPAIR MECHANICS EXAMINED THE COIL THAT BROKE OFF. I DO NOT HAVE THE PART. *JB

THE DOOR ADJAR SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON. ALL DOORS ARE SHUT BUT LIGHT STAYS ON.WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AND ALSO THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN AND ALSO FOR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO OPEN CAR DOORS WHEN MOVING BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK. I HAVE TAKEN THE BULBS FROM THE INTERIOR OUT TO PREVENT RUNNING BATTERY DOWN. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE SENSORS IN DOORS. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE REALIZED HE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TIRE, REPLACING IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE. WHEN HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP THEY FOUND THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHICH PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE COIL SPRINGS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB UPDATED 02/22/06. *JB

NO HEAT. TOOK OUR 1998 FORD TAURUS 6CYL.,3.0L,182FI VEHICLE TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT OF NO HEAT. I AM TOLD FROM THE FORD SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THERE IS RUST IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM CAUSED BY A METAL ALLERGY REACTION FROM THE WATER PUMP IMPELLER BLADE AND THE ANTIFREEZE COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSE RUST THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE, FREEZE PLUGS, HEATER CORE, THERMOSTAT AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT/BREAKDOWN DUE TO LACK OF WATER/COOLANT CIRCULATION. FORD ANSWER: REPLACE WATER PUMP WITH UPGRADED WATER PUMP, FLUSH SYSTEM WITH ANTI-RUST CHEMICALS, REPLACE FREEZE PLUGS, REPLACE HEATER CORE, HOSES, THERMOSTAT AND REFILL WITH ANTI-FREEZE COOLANT AT A COST OF @ $1700.00. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT SINCE I'VE OWN IT 10/1999, IE. OIL CHANGES @5000K MI., COOLANT FLUSH @1/YR., BRAKES & TIRES CHECK/SERVICE @5000K MI. I BELIEVE FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM OR THEY WOULDN'T HAVE UPGRADED THE WATER PUMP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND RELATED COMPONENTS. *NM

WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR GARAGE, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. THE TIRE WAS SLICED ALL AROUND ON THE INSIDE AND WAS IN TWO PIECES. THIS VEHICLE HAS 4 NEW TIRES AND I THOUGHT THE TIRE HAD TO BE A DEFECT. A LOCAL GARAGE CAME TO MY HOUSE TO CHANGE IT WITH A SPARE STUDDED TIRE THAT WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I DROVE 2 FEET WHEN THAT TIRE BLEW. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT WASN'T THE TIRES. I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION SPRING COIL AND STRUT MOUNT. HE ALSO REPLACED THE LEFT ONE; IT WAS ABOUT READY TO SNAP. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD RECALLS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS FOR THE 1997 AND 1999 VEHICLES, BUT NOT 1998. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE YEAR, AS THEY HAD RECALLS ON THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND YEAR AFTER. THERE WASN'T ANY CONCERN AT ALL AND NO RECALLS; NOW I AM STUCK WITH A BILL OF $489.71. LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. *JB

THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. 2 CODE READ INTERNAL PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION - FOURTH GEAR AND SOLENOID. CODE WAS CLEARED BUT CAME BACK A WEEK LATER. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT TO THE AMOUNT OF OVER $3200. BOUGHT 1998 FORD TAURUS USED IN 2001 WITH 52000 MILES - NOW 91400. JUST WANTED TO MAKE OTHER CONSUMERS AWARE OF THIS COSTLY PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD NO OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. *NM

SMOKE WAS RISING FROM UNDERNEATH CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND FOUND OIL WAS RUNNING DOWN AND HITTING THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING THE SMOKE. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR FACILITY. REPAIR FACILITY FOUND THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS BULGED OUT ON THE RIGHT SIDE ABOUT 3/4" THUS ALLOWING OIL TO RUN OUT OF THE OIL PAN. OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED. *JB

BRAKE LINE CORROSION AND SEPARATION CAUSING FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. RESULTING IN ALSO FRONT SWAY AND LINK BAR DAMAGE. NO BRAKES. FRONT SWAY BARS BREAK WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED A CERTAIN DEGREE. FRONT MIDDLE OF HOOD ON ALL TAURUS SEEM TO LOSE THE PAINT DO TO ROCK OR DEBRIS BEING ABLE TO BOUNCE ON THE BUMPER AND HIT CENTER. I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 50 TAURUS'S MISSING PAINT IN THE SAME AREA. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER FOUR TRIPS TO A CERTIFIED FORD DEALER. WATER HOLDING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WILL CRACK UNDER EXTREME OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERHEAT.*JB

1998 FORD TAURUS ENGINE FAILED. *TS THE VEHICLES ENGINE FAILED WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK FOUR HIGHWAY SIGNS AND POLES. THE VEHICLE LEFT REAR DOOR, LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, LEFT REAR BUMPER AND RIGHT SIDE RUNNING PANEL WERE DAMAGED. *NM

DT: 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONSUMER STATES THE SPEED SENSOR GOES OUT. THE VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT WHILE GOING 70 MPH. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY INSIST IT IS AN OWNER'S PROBLEM, NOT A VEHICLE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATE THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. HE HAS HAD ALL OF THE SENSORS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE STILL BEHAVES POORLY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO ON AUGUST 1, 2005. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A LOCAL MECHANIC. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR GIVE THE CONSUMER $500 FOR THE VEHICLE.*AK

MY DOOR AJAR LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS ARE ALL SHUT. SOMETIMES I AM ABLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE A DOOR AND THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT, BUT OTHER TIMES THE LIGHT STAYS ON NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. THE DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON DUE TO THIS AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BULB OUT IN ORDER TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR QUITE AWHILE NOW AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND TWO BATTERIES WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE CAUSED FROM THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A DEFECT SINCE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE AND IF SO WILL THE DEALER FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME? *JB

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND MY TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT. REMOVED THE TIRE AND SAW THAT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING THE ENTIRE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO FIRST SAID THAT ALL EXPENSES WOULD BE COVERED INCLUDING THE TIRE DUE FORD'S RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR TAURUS. THEN THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT'S A 1998 TAURUS. IT IS PLAIN TO SEE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE COIL SPRING. THIS IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THE THE 1999 -2001 FORD TAURUS' RECALL. I'M SURPRISED THAT FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR 1998 MODELS.

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THIS COMPANY. I EXPECT THAT ALL PARTS BE IN SAFE WORKING CONDITION... I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT JUNE 3, 2005 IN WHICH WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH MY CAR STRUCK THE SIDE OF A FORD TRUCK THAT HAD PULLED OUT PERPENDICULAR INTO MY LANE. MY CAR WAS WEDGED BENEATH THE TRUCK AND THE FRONT END WAS DEMOLISHED WHILE THE DASH HAS EVIDENCE OF MOVING BACK AS WELL INCLUDING THE BRUISES ON MY KNEES AND LEG. MY CAR WAS DETERMINED "TOTALED" AND I AM IN THERAPY FOR MY INJURIES TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF MY BODY FROM HEAD TO TOE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY!!! THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME IN LESS THAN SAFE DRIVING CONDITION AS THE AIRBAG WAS ONE OF MANY REASONS I AGREED TO BUY THE CAR. FORD SHOULD NOT ALLOW THE RESALE OF THEIR PRODUCT UNLESS IT IS SAFE. *NM

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH MCDONALDS WHEN BRAKES FAILED, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOOKED OUT OF CAR AND SAW BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND. CONSUMER WALKED TO GARAGE, AND WAS TOLD BRAKE LINE WAS BENT WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUST. BRAKE LINE WAS LOCATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BRAKE LINE WENT FROM FRONT TIRE TO REAR TIRE. WHEN BRAKE WENT OUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. LIGHT WAS YELLOW WITH PICTURE OF AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DASH IN VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEPARATING. *AK

UNCONTROLLED RAPID ACCELERATION EXPERIENCED WHILE BACKING UP. DUE TO SLOW SPEED AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE BRAKES FULLY TO SLOW VEHICLE, SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF ENGINE AVOIDING ACCIDENT. THROTTLE HAD RETURNED TO NORMAL UPON RESTART.

THE TRANSMISSION STALLED AND STARTED LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ON THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED SMOKING.

CONSUMER STATED, THE SPRING THAT WAS A PART OF THE STRUT ASSEMBLEY BROKE ON THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER HEARD A GUSHING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OIL WAS OBSERVED LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET. THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS BETWEEN 42,000-44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

13 MARCH 2005, PULLING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT SUDDENLY FLAT. REMOVAL OF THE TIRE SHOWED THAT THE SPRING ON THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. LOOKING AT THE FRACTURE ZONE IT APPEARS THAT CORROSION HAD STARTED AT A DEFECT IN THE STEEL, CREATING A CRACK THAT EVENTUALLY YIELDED TO THE APPLIED STRESS AND FAILED. LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THE PROBLEM IN 1999 TAURUSES IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V332000.*AK

TOOK 1998 FORD TAURUS (DURATEC 3.0) IN FOR COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH. WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES, I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND A REAR STABILIZER BAR WAS BROKEN, AND A FRONT AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. THOSE ARE CLEARLY MATERIALS DEFECTS, AS WE TAKE EXPERT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS SINCE WE DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT. THE POOR QUALITY ROTORS THE FACTORY INSTALLS ON THESE CARS CONTRIBUTES TO WARPING, WHICH WOULD BE NOTICEABLE BY A PULSING WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK

FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE TWICE IN SIX MONTHS ON 1998, FORD, TAURUS. I LOOKED UP RECALL INFORMATION ON THE FORD WEB SITE. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1999-2001 FOR THE COIL SPRINGS BREAKING. SO I CALLED CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE AND EXPLAINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO,THEY WOULD PUT IN A COMPLAINT. SO I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT IF IM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND MY TIRE EXPLODES WOULD THEY WORRY ABOUT IT. THEN?THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO,I HAVE TO JUST KEEP GETTING IT FIXED, AND WAIT AND SEE IF A RECALL COMES OUT. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT YOU PEOPLE COULD DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT I'M HAVING WITH FORD. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V332000; FORD ISSUED A FRONT COIL SPRING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE BEFORE THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED.*AK

UPON BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, MOVING APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET, FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, BLOWING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE OUT. RECALL 04V332000 CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRING WAS ISSUED. *AK *NM

1998 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON BEGAN LOW POWER ACELERATING AT STOP TIMES 2. A THIRD INCIDENT OCCURED FROM A COMPLETE STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKES AN THIS TIME IT COULD NOT BE STOPPED WITH BOTH FEET ON BREAKS. IT RAN FOR ABOUT 75 FEET AND THEN QUIT ON ITS OWN. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DELEARS SHIP AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I ASKED IF THIS WERE COMMON AND WAS TOLD THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH THING. KEEP CAR TWO DAYS I CONTACTED THE TAURUS CLUB OF AMERICAL AT THEIR WEB LINE AND IT SEEMS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INCIDENTS SUCH AS THIS AND THEY CALLED IT SURGING. *AK

THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT THE GEARS SLIPPED OFF THE CAM, CAR COMPLETELY DIED

THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING SO HE HEARD AN UNKNOWN GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. HE PROCEEDED TO PULL BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND PULLED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OFF. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN OFF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *NM

CONSUMER SLID INTO A GUARD RAIL WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH IN WET CONDITIONS. CONSUMER STRUCK THE GUARD RAIL WITH FORCE HEAD ON, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE REAR LEFT DOOR OPEN ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND LET THE ENGINE IDLE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DAMAGEED TOTAL THE VEHICLE. HOW THE FIRE STARTED? WAS NOT DETERMINED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 04S17 WAS ISSUED FOR THAT COIL SPRING, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. *AK THERE WAS A CUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE SIDEWALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A 2001 FORD TAURUS THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE PROBLEM AND A 1993 MODEL THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME. *SC *JB

THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *BF THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED DURING A RAIN STORM. *SC *JB

STUCK THERMOSTAT CAUSED A BOIL OVER. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE INTEGRATED PRESSURE/OVERFLOW BOTTLE CRACKED AND CAUSED A MAJOR LOSS OF COOLANT. THIS ALSO LEAD TO THE HEATER CORE BECOMING BLOCKED DUE TO THE LOSS OF COOLANT. UPDATED 12/07/07 *JB

WHILE TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN, HAD THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BREAK ON MY 1998 TAURUS STATION WAGON, DESTROYING THE TIRE. REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOMETHING SIMILAR, CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO SAID THE RECALL ONLY COVERED 1999 - 2001 ONES. HAD BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND TIRE REPLACED, ALONG WITH AN ALIGNMENT. AFTER RETURNING HOME, I CHECKED OUT THE DETAILS OF THE RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. INTERESTING TO SEE THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH A 98 THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL PROGRAM. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTLY, THEY TOLD ME THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE MY CAR WAS NOT IN THE RECALL. CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHO SAID HE WOULD TALK TO THE DISTRICT SERVICE REP TO SEE IF FORD WOULD COVER MY REPAIR COSTS. REP SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT I HANG ONTO MY PAPERWORK IN CASE THE RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE. *JB

BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE CLOUDED, DISCOLORED AND HAVE MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE. THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED UNIT. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.*AK *SB

DT: THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK. THE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. *JB

THERE WERE PARTICLES COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND ALL OVER THE CAR. THE CONSUMER'S CHILDREN HAVE BECOME SICK AND THE CONSUMER WEARS A MASK. THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR WITH NO SOLUTION. *JB

A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING. WHENEVER I PUSH THE BUTTON TO LET MY WINDOWS UP, TURN OFF MY READ DEFROST, OR HOLD ANY BUTTONS TOO LONG THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL FLASH. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I TURNED OFF MY REAR DEFROST AND MY BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED, THEN MY HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND MY CAR ALMOST SHUT DOWN, THEN THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THE NEXT DAY, IT WAS NIGHT TIME, AND I SAW ANOTHER TAURUS DO THE SAME THING. BEING THAT TIME IS CHANGING AND I NEED MY HEAD LIGHTS, I WOULD HATE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT I CANT SEE. I HAVE HAD MY CAR CHECKED TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY WAS GOING OUT, BUT ALL THE CHECKS WERE GOOD. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB