2000 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS A 2000 FORD TAURUS.N MONDAY, 2/9/04, MY WIFE, CAROL, WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE AT WORK AND THE FRONT WHEELS SPUN ON THE ICE A LITTLE. SHE HEARD A POP AND GOT OUT TO LOOK. THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. AAA CAME TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND THE MECHANIC HAD TO USE THE TOW LIFT TO RAISE THE CAR ENOUGH TO GET THE JACK UNDER IT. HE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND SHE DROVE HOME. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE, IT HAD BEEN CUT ALL THE WAY AROUND ON THE INSIDE JUST BELOW WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. ON TUESDAY, 2/10/04, I TOOK THE CAR TO BJ'S WHOLESALE CLUB ON ROUTE 20 IN AUBURN, MA, TO PURCHASE A NEW TIRE, AND WHEN THEY REMOVED THE SPARE THEY COULD SEE THAT THE LARGE SPRING THAT GOES AROUND THE STRUT HAD BROKEN AND HAD CUT THE TIRE. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF THESE BROKEN SPRINGS ON FORD TAURUSES. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HARR FORD IN WORCESTER, MA TO BE REPAIRED. THE SERVICE MANAGER I SPOKE TO THERE SAID HE HAS NOT NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE FORD TAURUS BECAUSE IT CAUSED AN EXPLOSIVE BLOWOUT OF THE TIRE AND HAD IT OCCURED AT HIGHWAY SPEED WOULD LIKELY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CRASH. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS A POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW THAT COULD REQUIRE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT THE DEATHS THAT ARE BOUND TO OCCURE IF THESE SPRINGS ARE INDEED FAULTY. *AK

THE FRONT DRIVER COIL SPRING FAILED AND CUT THE TIRE IN HALF. THE SWAY BAR LINK AND THE SPEED SENSOR BROKE. DEALER INDICATED, NOTHING THEY COULD DO, ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *JB

REAR SEAT BELTS IN CAR LOCKED AND WERE UNUSABLE. THIS HAPPENED WITH BOTH SHOULDER BELTS IN THE REAR, AND WAS A BIG CONCERN FOR ME SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR TRANSPORTING CHILDTRN..

MAKE : FORD MODEL : TAURUS YEAR : 2000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01V078000 RECALL DATE : MAR 02, 2001 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CARBON BUILD UP, AND POTENTIALLY, A SHORT CIRCUIT. CONSEQUENCE: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO EITHER THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ON, OR TO A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND WIPE DOWN THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. AFTER RECEIVING THE NECESSARY CORRECTIVE REPAIR FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED RECALL, MY VEHICLE HAS ENCOUNTERED THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT MY VEHICLE HAS UNDERGONE CORRECTIVE REPAIRS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME, FORD AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS FORD HAS BEEN BILLED FOR THE RECALLED REPAIR PREVIOUSLY. ADDITIONALLY, MY TAIL LIGHT STAYED ON, DRAINING MY BATTERY TO THE POINT THAT A REPLACEMENT BATTERY HAD TO BE PURCHASED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED SO THAT I DON'T EXPERIENCE THIS EVERY FEW YEARS. ADDITIONALLY, I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD PAY FOR AN ACKNOWLEDGED RECALL PROBLEM SIMPLY BECAUSE FORD CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE, TO NO SATISFACTION. IN ADDITION, I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPLACING MY DRAINED BATTERY. APPARENTLY, FORD WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS CONTINUING PROBLEM UNLESS THEY ARE PROMPTED TO DO SO BY NHTSA. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) FRONT DROPPED DANGEROUSLY LOW. CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT, AND THE COIL SPRING BROKE. *AK THE BROKEN END OF THE SPRING WENT IN THE INSIDE OF THE SIDEWALL, WHICH DAMAGED THE TIRE. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ON A SMOOTH ROAD WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. *LA

AN EAST-BOUND TRUCK CARRYING A MODULAR LOST A TRUSS THAT WENT ACROSS THE MEDIAN AND STRUCK OUR WEST-BOUND CAR. THE WOOD WENT THROUGH THE GRILL, DESTROYING THE RADIATOR, CONDENSER, BATTERY, TOP OF THE VALVE COVER. IT ALLSO BROKE THE HINGE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BUMPER, WITHOUT DEPLOYING THE AIR BAGS.

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SKIDDED ON THE ICE. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND STOMACH INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO A HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

HAD A 2000 TAURUS WHICH WENT OUT OF CONTROL. GOING APPROX. 57 MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENTLY DECIDED TO SPEED UP ON ITS OWN. I SUDDENLY WAS GOING IN THE UPPER 70'S. I PUT THE BRAKE CLEAR TO THE FLOOR AND GOT THE CAR DOWN TO 65 MPH. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF AND THE CAR SPED UP AGAIN. I SLAMMED DOWN ON THE BRAKE AGAIN AND GOT IT BACK TO 65 MPH. CALLED THE POLICE AND BEGGED FOR HELP AS I WAS NEARING A HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE. REAR ENDED A MINIVAN BEFORE I GOT TO THE SCHOOL. WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY STUCK. IT IMMEDIATELY BECAME "UNSTUCK" UPON IMPACT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD IN JEFFERSON CITY, MO FOR REPAIRS. REPAIRS AND RENTAL CAR COSTS ADDED UP TO OVER $700. USED INFORMATION FROM THIS SITE AND CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY. AFTER TWO DAYS WAS TOLD I WOULD BE REIMBURSED TO "MAINTAIN CUSTOMER LOYALTY."*AK

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND BRAKE PEDAL SHIFT INTERLOCK INOPERABLE CAUSED BY FAILURE OF BREAK PEDAL SWITCH. WIRING CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY ALSO REPLACED DUE TO MELTING OF WIRES WHEN SWITCH FAILED. COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE IF NOT CORRECTED PROMPTLY. DEALER NOT SURPRISED, STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TAURUS AND KEEPS EXTRA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES IN STOCK. THIS IS NOT AN ADJUSTABLE PEDAL MODEL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. BRAKE PEDAL LIGHT SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE ON NON-ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. *LA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. A GOODYEAR TIRE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT FAILED. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB *MR

GRADUAL LOSS OF HEATER, DEFROST CAPABILITY. THEN TOTAL NON FUNCTION OF EITHER. BAD VISIBILITY FROM FOGGY WINDOWS, NO DEFROST AT ALL. REPEATED FLUSHING OF COOLING SYSTEMS WILL HELP FOR A WHILE. THE HEATER CORE WILL EVENTUAL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2000 TAURUS WITH 83,000 KILOMETERS ON JAN 6TH WHEN I SAT IN MY VEHICLE I HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR AND THE FRONT END DROPPED ONTO TO THE TIRE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE GARAGE WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND PUT A SLASH IN THE TIRE RENDERING IT UNUSABLE. I GOT MY CAR BACK ON JAN 9TH. SEVERAL DAYS LATER AND ABOUT 270 ADDITIONAL KILOMETERS THE CAR WAS NOW MAKING A STRANGE NOISE ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT BACK TO THE GARAGE CAREFULLY AND UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS NOW BROKEN. THIS IS A CONCERN TO ME FIRSTLY BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY ON THE LEFT HAD SIDE BY DRAGGING US INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND AFTER AN INVESTIGATION NO ONE WOULD KNOW FOR SURE THE SPRING WAS THE ORIGINAL CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, MAYBE IT WOULD BE BLAMED ON THE TIRE. SECONDLY WITH THE COST OF THE TIRE THIS HAS COST ME OUT OF POCKET ROUGHLY $500 US FOR SOMETHING THAT IN MY OPINION WAS DEFECTIVE FROM RIGHT FROM THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. ADDITIONAL CONCERNS ARE THAT NOT EVERYONE WILL REPORT THESE INCIDENTS AND THERE ARE MORE OF THESE VEHICLES OUT THERE AND THE METAL FATIGUE ISN'T GOING AWAY IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. RA. *LA

I HAVE A 2000 FORD TAURUS STATION WAGON WITH 62,000 MILES. I HAD A BLOW OUT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND RUBED AGAINST THE TIRE AND CAUSED THE BLOW OUT. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED 5 MIN BEFORE I WAS GOING ON TO THE INTERSTATE. FROM DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT FORD NOTORIOUSLY HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE COIL SPRINGS ON MANY MAKES. I AM ASLO HEARING THAT THE REAR SPRINGS ARE A PROBLEM ALSO FROM DIFFERENT GARAGES. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE SAFETY OF THE INDIVIDUALS. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THIS IS COSTING ME ABOUT $400.00 TO $500.00. WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD BEING SINGLE. *AK

SUSPENSION CLIPS THAT HOLD THE WIRES TO THE CRUISE CONTROL, AIRBAG, AND HORN GAVE WAY RESULTING IN MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL. THAT THEN DESTROYED THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ALSO NOTED THAT 'WE WERE LUCKY THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF SINCE THE WIRES TO THAT WERE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE BUNDLE OF WIRES HELD BY THOSE CLIPS". AS A RESULT, THE WIRES DANGLED DOWN NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WERE EVENTUALLY WORN THROUGH.*AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. *AK THIS WAS AN ISSUE FOR THE 1993 FORD TAURUS. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT FORD NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM ORIGINAL. *SC

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN INTAKE MANIFOLD PROBLEM. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THE ENTIRE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLOWN APART. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THE REPAIR RESULTS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BROKEN COILS SPRING ALSO PUNCTURED A NEW TIRE. *NM

MECHANICAL FAILURE OF SUBSTANDARD EQUIPMENT. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY 2000 FORD TAURUS SES SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, THANK GOODNESS. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I AM CERTAIN I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. FORD TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP WITH REPAIR AND WERE NOT UNDER OBLIGATION AS NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT YEAR, THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN LARGE RECALLS FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS.*AK

MY TWO CHILDREN AND I GOT INTO MY 2000 FORD TAURAS ON DECEMBER 27, 2003. WE WERE GOING TO MY DAUGHTERS DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. THE CAR BARELY MOVED, IT SEEMED STUCK. THEN WE HEARD AN EXPLOSION FROM THE FRONT END AND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWERED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON TRYING TO CHANGE THE TIRE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WAS EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE, EXPLAINING THE EXPLOSION WE HEARD. THE COIL SPRING PUT A 4 TO 6 INCH GASH IN MY TIRE. THANK GOD WE WERE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT GOING DOWN THE ROAD!!!*AK

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED THREE TIMES IN 53,000 MILES ON MY 2000 FORD TAURUS. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 2001, I PAID TO REPLACE IT IN 2002 AND 2003 AS THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE REAPAIR CAN ONLY BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ONE TIME. WHEN IT FAILS, THE LIGHTS EITHER STAY ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY OR THEY WON'T COME ON AT ALL MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. EITHER WAY, IT CREATES AN EXTREME HAZARD AS TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU DOES NOT KNOW IF YOU ARE STOPPING OR NOT. FORD'S RECALL WAS ESTIMATED TO AFFECT ABOUT 179,000 VEHICLES. IF EACH NEEDS A $17.47 SWITCH EACH YEARS AS MINE HAS AND THOSE VEHICLES STAY IN SERVICE FOR TEN YEARS, THAT IS A TIDY 30 MILLION DOLLAR PROFIT FOR FORD. LET'S JUST HOPE NO ONE DIES AS A RESULT. FORD'S CONSUMER PHONE LINE AND DEALERSHIP WERE OF NO HELP. I HAVE SENT A FORMAL LETTER TO FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, BUT HOLD OUT LITTLE HOPE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. THE SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE WHICH CAUSED IT TO DEFLATE. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOCKED UP AND THE BEARING PLATE BLEW OUT WHICH BROKE THE STABILIZER LINK. *AK *NM

DEALER REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH LAST APRIL. ON DECEMBER 21, 2003 WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND BRAKES DID NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INDICATED THE NEED TO REPLACE ONCE AGAIN THE BRAKE SWITCH. *AK

CAR DOORS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE AND CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. INDICATOR IN DASH SAYS DOOR OPEN (AND NONE ARE). THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK MANUALLY WHEN DRIVING, THEY WILL UNLOCK IF YOU TRY TO LOCK.*AK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS DUE TO CORROSION.*AK *JB *NM

DUE TO THE BRAKES ON A 2000 FORD TAURUS THAT I JUST PURCHASED I WAS THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BRAKES WOULN'T ALLOW ME TO STOP.AS AN OWNER I WAS NOT INSTRUCTED TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS.AK

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING 55800 MILES ON VEHICLE. FAILURE CAUSED DESTRUCTION OF TWO STRUTS, CV AXLE, A TIRE, AND POSSIBLY AN ABS SENSOR. DRIVER HEARD A LOUND CLUNKING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH. *AK

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE IN HALF AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, RESULTING IN A BLOWOUT. THIS OCCURRED WHILE REVERSING.*AK

2003 FORD TAURUS THE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING. LUCKY FOR ME IT WAS JUST OUTSIDE MY HOME. IF THIS HAD BEEN THE HIGHWAY WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER! NO CAR 4 YEARS OLD SHOULD DO THIS. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED! I SEE A NUMBER OF THESE COMPLAINTS STARTING TO GROW IN 2003 AS THESE CARS BECOME STRESSED. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ANY FORD OWNER! PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO WARN PEOPLE THIS COULD HAPPEN! *LA

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RUBBING NOISE IN THE REAR WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND ALMOST PUNCTURED THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE HAD A LARGE GROOVE IN IT. BOTH REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED TO MAKE THEM EVEN. RECALL 04V332000 WAS ISSUED BUT IT WAS FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS.*AK

FRACTURE REAR COIL SPRING, DRIVER'S SIDE, FOUND BY MECHANIC WHEN INSTALLING WINTER TIRES ON 2000 FORD TAURUS. WILL CONTACT DEALER. *JB

WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. WITHIN TWO MONTHS REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING OVER THE SAME SPEED BUMP. *AK

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND BLEW TIRE IN JANUARY. YESTERDAY THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. FORD SAY'S THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. THIS IS OBSURD. I PAID ALMOST $300 IN JANUARY FOR REPAIR AND TOW. I AM NOT PAYING THIS TIME. PLEASE HELP! MY 2 CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. NOW IT'S PARKED IN THE YARD AS I'M NOT DRIVING ANYMORE WITH MY KIDS IN IT.*AK

BRAKE LIGHT AND SHIFT INTERLOCK FAILURE HAD BEEN RECALLED ONCE AND 'FIXED' IN 2002; SWITCH FAILED AGAIN AND REPLACED AGAIN. *LA

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *NLM THE CONSUMER HIT THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END WHEN THE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. THE CONSUMER'S HEAD BUSTED THE WINDSHIELD AND INJURED HIS BACK. *SC

THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF THE AUTO DEFROST, AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON TO RESET THE COMPONETS. ALSO WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND A LOUD METAL SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SHUT DOWN BEFORE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VALET SWITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN HAD FALLEN OFF. *SCC *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. *AK THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD COME ON AND STAYED ON AFTER WIGGLING THE BRAKE SWITCH, IT STARTED TO WORK (FOR 6 MONTHS), THEN ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONSUMER'S WIFE ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION SWITCH AND IT LOCKED AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS AND WAS ABLE TO START, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED IN PARK. *SCC *JB

FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC. SAYS THE TANK IS EMPTY AT TIMES, WHEN IN FACT IT IS FULL. IS THERE A RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM? *LA

MY 2000 FORD TAURUS WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (53,000 MILES) WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WROTE TO WILLIAM CLAY FORD, JR. OFFICE AND WAS TOLD IN A NICE WAY "TOO BAD SO SAD" IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY ITS SO DIFFICULT TO STAY LOYAL TO AMERICAN PRODUCTS? THE FOREIGN VEHICLES ARE WARRANTED 5-10 YEARS, WE MUST KNOW OURS ARE ONLY GOOD FOR 3 YEARS AND ONLY WARRANTY THEM FOR 3 YEARS. I HAD HOPED TO GET AT LEAST 1/2 OF MY $2,000 BILL REIMBURSED. NO CHANCE OF THAT. BETWEEN WHAT I OWE AND JUST PUT INTO THE CAR, I'M IN A NO WIN SITUATION. IN ONE YEAR THIS NEW TRANSMISSION WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY. DO I DARE KEEP THE JUNKER FORD? *LA

I WORK IN THE COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A FLEET OF FORD TAURUS VEHICLES AND I HAVE ONE OF MY OWN. THE DEPARTMENT HAS 3 AND I HAVE ONE 2000 TAURUS PLUS WE HAVE SEVERAL 2002 AND 2003 TAURUS'. WE HAVE TO REPLACED THE ROTORS ON THE FRONT END OF TWO OF THE OFFICE OWNED CARS AND MY OWN PERSONAL CAR WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. MINE WAS REPLACED AT 20-22,000 MILES AND IT IS AGAIN VIBRATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL (37,000 MILES) WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES LIGHTLY AT A SPEED OF AROUND 50-60 MPH. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THE 2000 TAURUS BUT IT SEEMS TO BE WITH THE ONES I HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH. *LA

WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBROAD INTERMITTENTLY. *AK DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIX DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CASE WAS REPORTED TO THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. *CB

THE HEADLAMP SWITCH BROKE OFF. OTHER TAURUS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT FORD SAYS MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED. THE EXACT SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO THESE OTHER CARS HAPPENED TO MINE. *JB

PURCHASED A 2000 FORD TAURUS IN 2001 WITH 22,479 MILES, NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000 MILES. ON SEPT. 27TH, WHEN WIFE OF THE I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND STOPPED BACKING UP. IT TOOK ABOUT THREE ATTEMPTS FOR THE CAR TO REVERSE SUCCESSFULLY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND CONCLUDED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY THE O-RING SEAL WHEN INSPECTED; IN ADDITION, THE DEALER FOUND DAMAGE ON REAR PISTON, TORQUE CONVERTER, AND FOUR OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND/OR REPAIRS OF THE DAMAGED COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE. *LA

VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER THE CARPORT WHEN THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. CONSUMER WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE ON FIRE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *TC

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY DRIVER SIDE FRONT STRUT BROKE, AND FRONT COIL SPRING PUNCTURED, CAUSING A 6 INCH SLASH IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STRUT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHILE STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, BUT DIDN'T PUNCTURE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE.*AK *TS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PUMP FAILED. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST HIT BY PASSING 18 WHEELER. *NM THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER A 32000 MILE WARRANTY. *NM

MY 200 TAURUS OVERHEATED AGAIN, FOR THE 2NDS TIME IN 3 MONTHS I WAS STRANDED ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. I HAD JUST GOT MY CAR OUT OF THE SHOP AFTER PAYING 868.00 TO GET IT OUT FOR CRACKED HEADS AT SOUTHERN TIRE IN ERWIN,TN 1205 JACKSON LOCE HIGHWAY. ON 9/4/03 MY CAR JERKED AND THEN LOST POWER SLOWING DOWN CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY PULL OVER TOT HE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO THE CAR BEHIND ME DIDN'T HIT ME. MY NECK HAS BEEN HURTING SINCE THEN AND MY FAMILY OF 8 IS MISSING IT'S TRANSPORTATION. I SHOULD NOT HAVE COOLING PROBLEMS AGAIN THIS SOON AFTER GETTING IT REPAIRED AND MY FAMILY HAS NO FINANCIAL MEANS OF BUYING A NEW CAR AT THIS TIME.WE ARE MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENT ON A CAR THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A LEMON AND A DUD. I HAVE OWNED CARS FOR 17 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH TROUBLE WITH A CAR.THIS CAR ALSO BROKE DOWN ON JUNE 4TH ,2003.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND MISFIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF BUT IT COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE PUMP SHOULD NOT HAD FAILED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *AK *NLM *JB