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 past Sunday, on June 11, 2017 I was driving home from a graduation party and there was a loud "pow" once I accelerated from a stop. My steering was very stiff (as if I was driving an ancient large truck with no power steering, also my exhaust system at least partially came undun. I was able to get the crippled car to our regular repair shop, who told me that I had a subframe rust-collapse. I had talked to a shadetree mechanic friend, who said that it wasn't an actual subframe collapse, but the next layer up, the engine cradle whose sleeves are no thicker steel than the unibody sheetmetal. One of the sleeves rusted through. Supposedly the engine cradle sleeves are removable/or the cradle itself. My mechanic friend and the tow fellow that brought my car back to my home, both said that what happened is quite rare, they never heard of such an incident. The cradle rust through caused my front subframe to partially collapse and the engine is tilted down on the right-front. This disconnected the exhaust and bound-up my rack-and-pinion steering, rendering the car unsafe to drive. This car is not a rust-bucket, no rusty body panel holes, and everything else still works! just the paint and clearcoat are flaking-off. I have looked on the internet and searched local salvage yards, but cannot find a good engine cradle/sleeves. Yet, there are scads of good Taurus engines cheaply available. Why didn't Ford offer replacement engine cradle/sleeves" was there no recall" I'd bet I'm not the only person this happened to!! I would like to get this car fixed! I have photos of the subframe fallen after the engine cradle failure. Please send me an E-mail address I can upload them to. I lose this page if I try to upload here (4th time!)
I was driving along when all of a sudden a big bang car slammed pavement began to swerve. Started smoking off burned rubber tire popped an car was broke down wheel dangling.
- the contact called regarding the 1995 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the front steering was pulling to the right. The steering wheel also vibrated. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing a realignment. The contact stated that the vehicle did not need an alignment before he took the vehicle to dealer for maintenance. The contact stated that the brakes and the bushings were replaced. The current and failure mileage were both 41,658 miles.
While driving 45 mph, the driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, the front left side collapsed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the left front strut and coil spring were broken and needed to be replaced.
- Pinckney, MI, USA
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A/C: compressor clutch came apart exhaust: Due to heat and corrosion cat converter flange became so thin it was impossible to seal exhaust. Act converter replaced under 8/80 emmissions warranty. Paint: Cracks in paint developed above rear wheel (sheet metal flexing?) allowing moisture in causing corrosion and paint to lift. Front springs: Both front springs broke nearly puncturing the right front tire. No help from Ford. Seems they have a history of bad spring problems. 93 Taurus recall #98V-094, Windstar recall 01V-199, Contour recall 01V-255. They have extended the warranty on front springs for the 2000 Ford Focus for 10 years or 150,000 miles because of this problem. I didn't even know the springs were broken. Dealer brought it to my attention while in for A/C repair. Had the spring punctured the tire at highway speed the result could have been catastropic. I contacted Ford customer service and they offered no assistance other than to say if there was a future recall or satisfaction program I would be eligible for reimbursment. The cost of the repair is relativly inexpensive. It's the fact that they know there is a problem and are unwilling to address it that bothers me. Springs are not a maintance item. I have seen them lose tension and sag on older high mileage cars, but not brake. This is a safety issue.
While driving at 15 mph on a flat surface and with no warning the steering wheel locked up, causing the consumer to have the vehicle towed. The dealer was notified. The front passenger side spring broke and caused damage to other components such as the struts and tie rod's. the rear driver side spring had broken and the vehicle had become un-drivable.
Immediately after purchase the vehicle started to vibrate, pulling to the right, the tires had been switched, the speedometer was inoperable and the brakes were very noisy. Consumer continued to operate the vehicle until the vehicle wasn't able to go from park to drive. The vehicle has been in for repair several times and the driving condition is still insufficient.
Head gasket blew at 93000miles, engine was okay at this time. Vehicle was shaking when she turned her vehicle on. Dealership told her that the mileage exceeds. The head gasket failed again after being replaced.
Speedometer/odometer malfunctioned/replaced (39,000 miles)but now vehicle is tmu-true mileage unknown-any recourse?dashboard vibrates intensely at 70-75mph. Tires balanced, rotated, replaced. Struts(4) replaced, steering components checked but still vibration. Appears that dash does not have enough support.
While driving after stopping at a red light, vehicle will not move. Consumer then notes vehicle will jerk forward without warning. Dealers are aware of problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- High Ridge, MO, USA