1998 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

THERE IS A SNAPPING AND CRACKING NOISE WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THE ENTIRE FRONT FRAME RUSTED BECAUSE OF THE BAD METAL USED BY THE FACTORY. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. *AK THE FRONT FRAME WAS NOT BUILT PROPERLY. *SC *JB

MY WHOLE COOLING SYSTEM HAS BECOME CORRODED BY THE COATING INSIDE OF THE HOSES THAT IS USED. I HAVE HAD MY HEATER CORE REPLACE 2 YEARS AGO AND MY RADIATOR FLUSHED. AND NOW IT IS FAILING AGAIN. A SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED, SO FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WHY AM I LEFT HOLDING THE BAG FOR REPAIRS ON DEFECTIVE PARTS. *NM

FORD TAURUS 1998, DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING COIL CRACKED. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE SHOULD BE A FORMAL INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE COIL SPRINGS ON 1998 TAURUS. *JB

WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH IT FAILED TO TURN OR AND START. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO START OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE MORNING FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

FUEL PUMP FAILURE LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AND REPAIRED AT A COST OF $568.81. *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIR VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES WITHIN SECONDS. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON PRIOR TO THE SMOKE AND FLAMES. *AK

MY 1998 FORD TAURUS EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM EXACTLY AS THE RECALL STATES FOR THE 1999 FORD TAURUS RE: THE SPRING COIL BREAKING AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE. THIS RESULTED IN A FLAT TIRE, COIL, SPRING, AND MOUNT REPAIR, AS WELL AS A TOW AND RENTAL CAR. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE IT HAPPEN IN MY DRIVEWAY INSTEAD OF ON THE INTERSTATE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN DEATH OF MY CHILD AND SELF. IT CAUSED AND IMMEDIATE BLOW OUT OF MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. I AM VERY ANGRY THAT I HAVE BEEN WATCHING FOR REPORTS ON POSSIBLE INVESTIGATIONS ON THE YEAR AND PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND NONE!!!! AMAZING THAT IT HAPPENS IN 1999 MAKES, BUT NOT 1998. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS MATTER AS I KNOW IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER 1998S. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ANTICIPATED COOPERATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKESTHE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN HOUSING SHAFT UNIT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

GOT BLOWOUT SO HAD 2 NEW TIRES PUT ON FRONT OF VEHICLE. DROVE 1/2 MILE DOWN ROAD GOT ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON BUSY HIGHWAY. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF ROAD SAFELY AND PUT SPARE (DOUGHNUT TIRE) ON AND RETURN TO WHERE WE HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON. WHEN THEY CHECKED AFTER REMOVING TIRE THEY FOUND THE COIL SPRING ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS BROKEN AND HAD PUNCTURED TIRE. WE NOW HAVE THE SPARE STILL ON VEHICLE AS WE CAN NOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS RIGHT NOW. *LA

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCY. DROVE VEHICLE 197 MILES TO MY HOME. PARKED AT BACK OF DRIVEWAY UNTIL COULD TRANSFER TITLE AND PURCHASE INSURANCE. WAS MOWING GRASS BACKED UP CAR ABOUT THREE FEET. HEARD A LOUD "THUD/POP" WITH THE SOUND OR AIR ESCAPING, PULLED FORWARD ABOUT FIVE FEET. TIRE WAS FLAT. I THOUGHT I HAD A "BLOW-OUT" THOUGHT IT WAS ODD BECAUSE HAD A NEW SET OF TIRES WITH LESS THAN 400 MILES ON THEM. ASKED SON TO PUT THE DONUT ON SO I COULD TAKE THE TIRE TO GOODYEAR FOR REPLACEMENT. WAS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE INSIDE PART OF TIRE LOOKED AS IF SOMEONE HAD TAKEN A KNIFE AND CUT THE TIRE. UPON RETURNING FROM THE TIRE DEALER MY SON POINTED OUT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING ON THE LEFT FRONT (DRIVERS) SIDE. HAD CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR REPAIR. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE MECHANIC AT THE GARAGE STATED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A COIL SPRING FRACTURE. LET ALONE ONE FRACTURE IN THREE PLACE THE WAY THE COIL SPRING DID ON THIS VEHICLE. PAID TO HAVE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS SHOCKS AND STRUTS REPLACED. HEARD ABOUT RECALL FOR TAURUS AND SABLE 899,000 ON RADIO STATION. SO I STOPPED BY LOCAL FORD, HUDSON IN MADISONVILLE KY, THEY COULD FIND NO INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL INVOLVING MY VIN. WAS GIVEN FORD CUSTOMER RELATION 800 NUMBER. CALLED AND WAS ESSENTIALLY TOLD THAT IT WAS MY PROBLEM THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR, SHE RETURNED MY CALL SOMEWHAT TIMELY, BUT REITERATED THAT MY VECHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL, AND IT WAS MY PROBLEM. IN THE MEAN TIME I VISITED YOUR SITE AND FOUND FOUR COMPLAINTS WITH 1998 TAURUS'S WITH ALMOST IDENTICAL COIL SPRING FRACTURES. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED AND/OR THE INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE REOPENED. THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATION PERSON SAID THEIR ENGINEERS HAD NOT DETERMINED THERE IS A PROBLEM. I THINK IF YOU WAIT UNTIL FORD TAKES ACTION HELL WILL BE FROZE OVER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE AIRPORT ON MAY 14, 2004, MY 1998 FORD TAURUS EXPERIENCED A BROKEN FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AT THE TIME. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN SO THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS RUBBING ON THE BODY OF THE CAR (GENERATING TIRE SMOKE). I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE. IT WAS EVIDENT THAT IF I DROVE THE CAR ANY FARTHER EVEN MORE DAMAGE WOULD OCCUR. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS BREAKDOWN OCCURRED IN A LOCAL PRISON AREA WHERE POSTED SIGNS WARN PEOPLE NOT TO PICK UP HITCH HIKERS. THIS MADE IT CHALLENGING FOR ME TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WOULD LET ME USE THEIR PHONE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE TO GET IT BACK ROADWORTHY. TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, I HAD TO PURCHASE 2 NEW COIL SPRINGS, 2 NEW FRONT STRUTS, A NEW STRUT MOUNT, 2 NEW FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS, AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. IT THEN TOOK ME A FEW DAYS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING ON ANY ROAD SURFACE THAT HAD BUMPS ON IT. IN JULY I BECAME AWARE OF THE RECALL ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH 1999-2001 TAURUS AND SABLE SEDANS FOR COIL SPRING BREAKAGE. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO 1998 MODELS. IT APPEARS THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH 1998 VEHICLES ALSO. HOPEFULLY, MORE PEOPLE WILL UTILIZE THIS SITE TO DOCUMENT ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS TO RE-OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. *AK

IDLE CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

MY 1998 FORD TAURUS EXPERIENCED THE DRIVER SIDE SPRING BREAKING AND SHOOTING INTO THE TIRE FLATTENING IT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP. I WENT LESS THAN AN INCH WHEN THE TIRE COMPLETELY DEFLATED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED INCLUDING 2 FRONT STRUTS,1 SET FRONT COIL SPRINGS ,1 UPPER STRUT MOUNT, 2 FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS, AND TIRE WITH FRONTEND ALIGNMENT. WHEN MY HUSBAND CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AFTER THE RECALL FOR 1999, 2000, AND 2001 MODELS HE WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT TURN IT IN AS AN INCIDENT FOR FUTHER INVESTIGATION.HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTAE ETC THIS COULD HAVE KILLED ME, MY FAMILY OR MANY OTHERS. THERE WERE NO KNOWN PROBLEMS OR NOISES ETC PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE BALL JOINT ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR REPLACED SINCE THAT INCIDENT.*AK

I OWN A 1998 FORD TAURUS WAGON. THE REAR SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK. I CAN NOT GET THEM TO PULL OUT AT ALL. FOR THAT MATTER, I CAN NOT BUCKLE MY CHILD IN. BOTH SIDES ARE AFFECTED. THE CENTER BUCKLE DOESN'T HAVE AN EXTRACTING BELT SO THAT IS THE ONLY USABLE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I HAVE TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. THE COVER WAS REMOVED IN ATTEMPT TO FIX THESE AND I AM STILL UNABLE TO GET THEM TO WORK.

3RD RACK & PINION REPLACED IN MY 1998 TAURUS SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN AUGUST '99 : SEPT.'99; SEPT. '03, AND APR 04. I HAVE ONLY PUT 26,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND BELIEVE THIS IS NOT AN ITEM THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH SUCH FREQUENCY. *AK

WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF OUR GARAGE, THE FRONT LEFT SPRING COIL IN OUR 1998 FORD TAURUS BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. IN RESEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE I LEARNED THAT THE 1993 FORD TAURUS, 1998 FORD CONTOUR, AND 1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO FOUND A COMPLAINT INDICATING THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 1998 AND 1999 FORD TAURUS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM, AND I FEEL FORTUNATE THE INCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR, AS IN OTHER REPORTED CASES, WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY WERE INFORMED OF HIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE MADE NO EFFORTS TO CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE WE HAD REPORTED EXCESSIVE VIBRATION OF STEERING WHEEL AND WOBBLING OF THE CAR TO THE DEALER IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF 2003 BUT WERE TOLD THAT OUR BRAKES WERE OUT OF ROUND. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO US, AS THE PROBLEM OCCURRED NOT ONLY WHEN BRAKING, BUT ALSO AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHEN ACCELERATING. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED AND PUT OUR SAFETY AT RISK. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM, AS I HAVE CONCERN FOR OTHERS DRIVING THE 1998 FORD TAURUS. I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE SOME ASSURANCE THAT OUR CAR IS NOW SAFE- I HAVE READ THAT IN OTHER SITUATIONS A SHIELD WAS INSTALLED TO PREVENT A BROKEN SPRING FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE TIRE IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE KEPT MY REPAIR RECEIPTS AND AM HOPING THAT THIS WILL BE TREATED AS A RECALL AND RESULT IN REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY EXPENSES.*AK

I OWN A 1998 FORD TAURUS. AFTER READING ANOTHER REPORT OF MALFUNCTIONING OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS I HAVE DECIDED TO REPORT THE SAME TYPE OF INCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE IN 2005. THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, THE ENTIRE SPRING WAS LODGED THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE - THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE, AND HAD TO BE MOVED ON A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND THEN VEHICLE'S FRONT SHIFTED DOWN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND STOPPED MOVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, DAMAGED THE SWAY BAR, AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *JB

FORD TAURUS THROTTLE STUCK OPEN. I STARTED THE ENGINE AND PLACED THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BACK OUT, THE PEDAL WOULDNT BUDGE. WHILE APPLYING MORE AND MORE FORCE, THE PEDAL FINALLY GAVE IN, COLLAPSING TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BE STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. BEING IN REVERSE, THE TAURUS TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED OUT OF THE CARPORT TO THE SIDE OF A HILL. RAMMING THE CAR INTO DRIVE CAUSED ME TO GO FORWARD AT FULL SPEED. UNTIL I SLAMMED THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND CUT OFF THE ENGINE, DID I FINALLY COME TO A STOP ABOUT 100 FEET DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE IS NOW SITTING AT THE PHIL LONG DEALERSHIP IN COLORADO SPRINGS, WAITING TO BE ANALYZED. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING. I HAVE MADE A VIDEO DEPICTING THIS PROBLEM. I WILL BE CAPTURING THIS TO A VIDEO FILE SHOULD ANYONE CARE TO DOWNLOAD IT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT I SHOULD DO. BEST REGARDS DAVID L. POWELL. *AK

ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR SPRANG A LEAK ON THE BOTTOM SIDE. THERE IS ABOUT A 1-INCH GAP BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE AND THE FENDER SO RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING WAS NOT THE CAUSE. I CALLED A PARTS HOUSE WHO SAID THEY HAD REPLACED 3 OF THEM IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. SEEMS LIKE AN ODD COINCIDENCE THE BOTTLES LEAK. I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE LEAK ON ANY CAR I'VE EVER OWNED.*AK

I HAVE A 1998 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON. ON 5 OCCASIONS THE CAR WENT INTO A SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE I WAS STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR WHILE I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. IN EACH CASE I WOULD PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO HOLD THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. IN THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, BRAKE PRESSURE WOULD HOLD THE CAR UNTIL I GOT IT OUT OF GEAR. IN THE LATER INCIDENTS BRAKE PRESSURE WOULD ONLY SLOW THE FORWARD MOTION. THE ENGINE RUSH WAS SO GREAT THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT WAS OUT OF GEAR. ON 2 OF THESE 5 OCCASIONS I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS AND HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE, SO FAR WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE DATE GIVEN BELOW IS AN ESTIMATE OF THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS OCCURRED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

WHASHER PUMP SEEM'S TO HAVE SHORTED OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND CAUSED A SHORT IN WIRNG WITCH RESULTED IN A UNDER THE HOOD FIRE! ALL I DID WAS TURN ON WASHER PUMP TO CLEAN WINSHIELD AND NOTHING HAPPEN SOON AFTER I SMELLED WIRES BURNING!SOON AFTER I SEEN FIRE SHOOTING FROM UNDER CAR AND THEN IT BLAZED OUT OF HOOD BETWEEN THE COWL AND FIREWALL! THE CAR STOPED RUNNING I PULLED OFF THE SIED OF I-70 1 MILE MARKER AND THEN CALLED 911......*AK

98 FORD TAURUS, WELL MAINTAINED, HAD CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FALIURE AT 63,000 MILES. FORD HAS STONEWALLED &/OR IGNORED THE SITUATION.

WHILE TRAVELLING TO WORK ON FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 5, I HAD JUST ACCESSED INTERSTATE 65 NORTH AND HAD TRAVELLED ON IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES. I HAD REACHED MY NORMAL CRUISING SPEED OF 80 MPH WHEN I BEGAN TO CROSS THE BRIDGE OVER THE TENNESSEE RIVER. ON THE DOWNSIDE OF THE BRIDGE, I HAD NO WARNING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION CEASED TO FUNCTION. DUE TO THE SPEED I WAS TRAVELLING, I WAS ABLE TO COAST UNTIL I EXITED THE BRIDGE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1/4 A MILE, I SAFELY PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND CAME TO A STOP. I PROCEEDED TO CHECK ALL THE GEARS TO DETERMINE IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAD. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THERE WAS NO NOISE, NO JERK, NO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000 MILES ON IT, AND I ENSURE THAT ROUTINE SERVICE IS PERFORMED ON IT. TWELVE MONTHS PRIOR, I HAD THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY SERVICED. THIS COMPLETE FAILURE CAME AS A SURPRISE TO ME AS NO WARNING SIGNS WERE EVIDENT. TODAY, I AM HAVING TO SHELL OUT $1600 FOR A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. THE COMPANY I HAVE PERFORMING THE REPAIRS IS KNOWN TO BE VERY REPUTIBLE AND TOLD ME THAT A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION AT OR JUST PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL FAILURE. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED VERY SIMILAR SITUATIONS. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS INDEED A FLAW IN THE FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.*AK

HEAD GASKET AND HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OVERHEATING, TOTAL COST OF JOB WAS 1400. DOLLARS

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

I BOUGHT MY 1998 FORD TAURUS THIS PAST SPRING OF 2003, AND NOW THAT WINTER HAS ARRIVED, I FIND THAT I HAVE NO HEAT OR DEFROSTER. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY BLEND DOOR, AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A RECALL ITEM. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM, AND THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $900 TO GET IT FIXED. HOW IS THIS NOT A SAFTEY ISSUE, AND HOW ARE THEY GETTING AWAY WITH NOT PAYING FOR IT? SOMEONE SIGNED OFF ON THIS CHEAP PART THAT HAS OBVIOUSLY FAILED REPEATEDLY ON THESE VEHICLES. THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. VISIBILITY IS A SAFTEY ISSUE, AND THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS ITEM. THEY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CHOOSE NOT TO RECALL SOMETHING BECAUSE IT WILL COST THEM TOO MUCH MONEY TO FIX. THEY SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT WHEN THEY WENT CHEAP IN THE FIRST PLACE.*AK

VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FIVE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION WORK. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED TWICE AND REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE PEDAL BECAME SOFT WHEN DEPRESSING. THIS CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT STRAP ON 1998 FORD TAURUS SEDAN WAS NOT SECURED BY MINOR OCCUPANT WHILE EXITING VEHICLE. BELT WAS OUTSIDE VEHICLE WHEN VEHICLE STARTED MOVING AND WAS RUN OVER BY VEHICLE REAR TIRES CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO LOCK AND SKID ON PUBLIC STREET. *LA

WHEEL RIM ON DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS CORRODED, CAUSING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR WHEEL RIM REPLACEMENT. *AK

AS I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 5 MPH I HEARD A LOUD NOISE BETWEEN HOOD AND FRONT SEATS. I SOON REALISED THAT WHEN I STEPED ON THE ACCELERATION PEDAL THE CAR WON'T GO FOWARD. I PARKED THE CAR IMMIDIATELY AND TURNED OFF WAITED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES I GOT OFF FROM THE CAR AND I PERSONALLY INPECTED THE CAR FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE MOTOR, AND UNDERNEATH OF IT AND NO OIL WAS SPILLED (MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION). I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON STEPED ON THE BREAK AND SHIFTED TO DRIVE, AND STEPED ON ACCELARATION PEDAL, BUT CAR WONT MOVE. I ALO TRYED REVERSE AND DID NOT MOVE ASWELL. WHEN U PUTTED THE CAR INTO 2ND GEAR IT TOOK A COUPLE OF SECONDS FOR THE CAR TO MOVE. I ALSO TRYED 1ST. GEAR AND IT DID NOT MOVE AS WELL.*AK

TURN SIGNALS WOULD ONLY WORK AT TIMES. SOMETIMES THEY WOULD START TO BLINK/ILLUMINATE. THEN, STOP BEFORE THE TURN WAS COMPLETE, AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT BLINK AT ALL. THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON MANY LATE 1990 FORDS. *AK

BRAKES IN THE REAR ARE GRINDING REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *CB

LAST SUMMER, MY 1998 FORD TAURUS BLEW AN ENGINE. IT WAS ABOUT 4000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. THE GARAGE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT I HAD DONE. THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY' A FAILURE IN THE OIL PUMP, THAT MY CAR HAD EXPERIENCED OIL PRESSURE PROBLEMS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY REGRETTED THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE A NEW ENGINE. THEY SENT IN A REBUILT ENGINE, REPLACED THE BAD ENGINE, AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. THEN, THIS JULY (JULY 25,2003) I WAS DRIVING THE SAME 1998 FORD TAURUS WITH THE PREVIOUSLY BLOWN ENGINE. THE ADD COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR. WATER WAS POURING FROM EITHER THE RADIATOR OR HOSE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME (ABOUT A DISTANCE OF 60 MILES). I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. ON MONDAY MORNING, THE MECHANIC CALLED AND SAID THAT I HAD MANY MORE PROBLEMS THAT JUST A LEAK. HE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. HE COULD NOT EVEN GET THE CAR TO START. BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE BOWLING GREEN LINCOLN & MERCURY IN BOWLING GREEN OH. THIS IS WHERE I HAD ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE CAR AND THE PLACE THAT HAD REPLACED THE ENGINE THE PREVIOUS SUMMER. AFTER WAITING NEARING TWO WEEKS TO GET PERMISSION FROM DETROIT (?) TO FIX IT, AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT DOWN TO EXAMINE THE DAMAGE. HIS REPORT INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FROM A DEFECTIVE ENGINE, BUT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION. THEY VOIDED THE WARRANTY. I ASKED WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION MEANT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSPECTOR HAD DECIDED THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN IN A FLOOD. I WAS TAKEN BACK. MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN A FLOOD. THE MECHANICS, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, AND SERVICE MANAGER ALL CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE THAT THE CAR WAS IN A FLOOD. I PERSONALLY HEARD THE SERVICE MANAGER TALK TO SOMEONE IN DETROIT CONFIRMING THAT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN A FLOOD. DETROIT SENT OUT ANOTHER INSPECTOR WHO TOOK FLOOD SAMPLES FROM THE CAR.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AT COST OF $695.00, CONSUMER STATED THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

BRAKE FAILURE ON 1998 FORD TAURUS. *AK

THE FUEL PUMP JUST STOPPED WORKING CAUSING A COMPLETE SHUT DOWN OF ALL SYSTEMS NO STEERING, BRAKES, ETC;JUST BY LUCK THE WIFE WAS DRIVING SLOW IN TRAFFIC BUT CAN YOU IMIANGE IF YOU WERE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS!!!! AND TO TOP IT OFF BECAUSE OF A POOR DESIGN THE CONSUMER GETS STUCK WITH A 619.00 REPAIR BILL DUE TO THE FACT THE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK AND IS LABOR INTENSIVE TO REPAIR WHICH REALLY SUCKS!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME BUT TO ME THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD NOT TO MENTION THE HIGH COST JUST TO REPAIR A FUEL PUMP

CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR,WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKES 2-3 TIMES AND THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO GO TO THE FLOOR. THEN HE QUICKLY DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO FIRST GEAR AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP JUST SHORT OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER 10 MILES, THE BRAKES WERE WORKING NORMAL. THREE PEOPLE WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. *PH *JB

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. *NM

MY CAR PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS. WHEN I HIT A PUDDLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, THOUGH THE ENGINE RUNS FINE. WHEN I HIT THE WATER IT SPLASHES UP AND GETS THE BELT TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP WET AND ALL POWER STEERING GOES OUT FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE IN TRAFFIC. *AK

1998 FORD TAURUS; 78000+ MILES: RECURRING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OWNERS MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY NOT BE REFERRING TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT WILL AFFECT PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. OUR LIGHT CAME ON ONE MONTH AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR. IT WOULD GO OFF WHEN WE CHANGED FLUIDS OR BRAND OF GASOLINE. ON JUNE 28TH THERE WAS A NOTICABLE CHANGE IN DRIVABILITY AS THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR. THE ENGINE WOULD REV TO 5000 RPMS TRYING TO SHIFT BUT COULD NOT. I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER IN 55 TO 65 MPH TRAFFIC. AAMCO NOW TELLS ME THAT IT WILL COST 1500 T0 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I RAN A 1993 FORD VAN TO 270,000 MILES BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT THIS MODEL HAD A 12 YEAR HISTORY OF SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES.*MR *TS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED. *JB

TODAY, WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH ON RTE 1, MY 1998 FORD TAURUS WAGON SUDDENLY STARTING TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS LOUD NOISES LIKE BOTTOMING OUT ON SEVERAL BOULDERS EMANATED FROM BENEATH THE CAR. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN SMOOTHLY AND THE A/C PUMPED OUT COOL AIR, BUT WHEN THE CAR CAME TO REST AT A STOP LIGHT IT DID NOT MOVE FORWARD UNTIL THE RPM GOT QUITE HIGH AND ONLY THEN AT A VERY SLOW, HERKY, JERKY PACE. THE CAR SMOOTHED OUT AT AROUND 25-30 MPH, BUT THE PROBLEM GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I NOTICED BLUE-GRAY SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AND PARKED THE CAR IN A RELATIVELY SAFE PLACE. I NOTICED LIQUID DRIPPING FROM BENEATH THE CAR NEAR THE REAR OF THE OIL PAN. MY HUSBAND CHECKED ON THE CAR ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK TO ASCERTAIN THAT THE LIQUID IS TRANSMISSION FLUID. WITHOUT HUMOR I RECALLED A WOMAN TELLING ME JUST TWO WEEKS AGO THAT SHE HAD A CAR JUST LIKE MINE THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN RECENTLY, AND I TOLD HER AT THE TIME THAT MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ON RTE 1 AND NOT ON I-95, AND IN THE DAY TIME ON A HOT SUNNY DAY AND NOT ON A COLD, WET NIGHT. *NLM

SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF VENTS WHEN AIR CONDITIONING WAS TURNED ON. IF I TURNED IT OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES, THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD WORK AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I TRIED TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONING. IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN I TRIED USING THE HEATER, IT DID NOT WORK. I CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT AND HAD ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED. HOWEVER THIS STILL DID NOT RESOLVE MY PROBLEM. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP,. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 98 TAURUS. THE ENGINE COOLANT FORD MAKES YOU USE CLOGS THE SYSTEM AND TURNS THE COOLANT INTO SLUDGE. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT ON AVERAGE I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE EVERY OTHER YEAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *LA

WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED MORE. VEHICLE SEEMED TO "RUN" FROM DRIVER WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BRAKE MORE OFTEN THAN NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING DOWN HILL. *AK *PH *JB

POSSIBLE CAM FAILURE RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE LOST IF NOT FOR ALL FOUR CAMSHAFTS WELDED THIS DAY FOR THE COST OF $600. *LA