This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This is the second time that the speedometer assembly has failed. Once at 66,539 miles on March 19, 1998 and again at 82600 miles on December, 30 1998. This failure causes the speedometer to give fluctuating readings.
I have had speedometer problems twice since the purchase of this car. When the speedometer hits 50mph, the needle starts to bounce all around the scale, and the speedometer makes a buzzing noise. I brought the car in during the warranty period and had the speedometer head replaced. Six months later, same problem occurred. This time the dealer would not cover the repair since they claim I exceeded the $12000 warranty on that part. There is a tsb out for this repair and numerous complaints on the same problem from other Taurus owners (as documented on the web). Ford needs to own up to this defect and recall.
Speedometer problems; owner has a fleet of vehicles in which the speedometer does not register the correct driving speed. Please list other vehicle identification numbers.
- Traverse, MI, USA
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Speedometer is failing. At random speeds, the speedometer will go to 90 mph (pinned). If and when I get this fixed, it will be the 4th speedometer in this vehicle. Failure has repeatedly been at 22,000 mile intervals. Ford replaced the first 2 under warranty, but they refuse to acknowledge that this is chronic and safety related defect that they should have found a permanent fix for by now. Dealer, bob chapman, contacted Ford in my behalf, and found that (apparently) the failure rate is so high, that he can't even secure a replacement speedometer at the present.
The speedometer head doesn't read the correct speed. I have been told that the car's transmission depends on the speedometer to function correctly in order for it to shift correctly. I am also aware of at least one other person who has the same make and model with the exact same problem. I have also been told by a major distributor that this part is commonlyreplaced on this model as well as on the Ford aerostar of the same year.
At 70-75 mph, hitting bumps will make the speedo needle drop to 85 and continue to read 10-15mph faster then the actual vehicle speed. Will return to normal after a minute or so, until the next bump. This is the second speedo to fail on this. Vehicle
The speedometer failed at 25345 miles covered under the 45,000 extended warranty, and is failing again when it reached 53500 miles. It sways back and forth once the speed is over 50mph and is very noisy. There is also a loud rattling noise (just like a short circuiting sound) coming from the steering wheel column while the speedometer sways. Most of the time the needle stays at over 85mph even if speed is 60mph or less. The dealer is asking about $500 to fix the problem, but I think they should fix it for free since the first failure was covered under warranty and the part was obviously not properly manufactured in the first place. I think not knowing your speed is not safe. Please investigate and advice. Thank you.
The speedometer on the car was replaced at 50000 miles because it jumped around and made a rattling noise. Now the replacement speedometer is doing the same thing. The speed at which the problem starts is now down to 40 mph. The needle jumps all over a range of about 15 mph above and below the actual speed, making it impossible to know how fast I am driving. I have spoken with other Taurus owners and looked on the internet, and this seems to be a common problem. I contacted Ford and they said that I would be charged for repairing this dangerous (and apparently common) problem.
The speedometer jump is not something that only we are experiencing. Other's with the same vehicle model are also. We do not feel this is something that we should have to pay in excess of $300 to correct as it is not an isolated insident and has had numerous tsb posted for the problem.
Speedometer jump and bounces around, I have found tsb's on this. The speedometer was originally replaced at apx 29000 miles for this problem, then at apx 29000 miles on the replacement it started doing the same thing again. (this time it cost me almost $200 to fix, the first time it was free). The first time it was fixed at the purchased dealer (marion Ford, Illinois), the second time at another Ford dealer(sparta Ford, Illinois). The second time the Ford dealer said it was not covered.
Speedometer needle jumps when going in excess of 45 mph. This results in inaccurate speed reading. For example, when driving at 55 mph the speedometer needle will jump to 80, then flip back and then will continue to go back and forth. This is causing distraction while the vehicle is being driven and can cause a crash.
Tranmission: Grinding noise heard at start-up. Vehicle lurched when placed in reverse. When stopped at intersection, vehicle lurched forward and would not move in drive. Vehicle would operate when placed in neutral. When vehicle was placed in park, it would no longer operate in any gear. Speedometer: Speedometer bounces, makes noise and the needle pegs at 85 mph when car hits bump in road or goes above 55 mph. Speedometer has been replaced once previously.
Speedometer bounced up and down at speeds between 60 and 75 mph. Replaced original speedometer, aproximately 24000 miles later replacement started doing same thing, informed replacement had only a 1 year warranty new one would cost at least 300 dollars.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Mineral, KS, USA