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.
Coolant system failure of all types all part prone to extreme chemical corrosion very aggravating problem and now the coolant bypass hose has failed with the same corrosive symptoms as the other components.
Bought my 1996 Taurus in Jan 1999 from a dealer. Never received a recall notice for the engine & cooling system that was issued in 1999. I had to replace radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses (whole cooling system) due to rust an sludge in system. Recently while driving 45 mph for 12 miles engine overheated and cracked head. The thermostat never registered hot only noticed the over heating when the steam was billowing out, it was to late then as engine died. Off & on the thermostat would fluctuate anywhere from cold to up to 95 % hot and the engine temp would not be hot. Due to the problem I am now without a family car and cannot afford to fix this problem with a new engine or buy a new vehicle. Is Ford doing anything about this problem as I have read alot of people have experienced this same problem" I know my warranty has long expired but what about a manufacturing problem and getting help with it"
I bought a used 1996 Ford Taurus from a local Ford dealer, brockport Ford, in 1998. While driving the car in July of 2000, the temperature gauge indicated a high temperature. I pulled over to find the car leaking coolant. I took the car to vision Ford and they replaced the engine's freeze plugs as a cost of $452. Recently I had the identical problem, only this time it the repairs cost me $907. I questioned two failures of this type on a relatively new car and located numerous websites devoted to this same problem in 1996 Ford Taurus vehicles. This problem is widespread. I have also replaced numerous thermostats and now my heater core is going. This is all due to a manufacturing/ engineering defect, which causes the antifreeze to turn acidic and attack the engine parts. There was a "customer satisfaction warranty extension" issued by Ford for this known manufacturing defect, but it expired in August of 1999. As this is a manufacturing defect, which I feel is a safety concern, I feel Ford should be made responsible for the repair costs. There should be a mandated recall of this vehicle. Also, when I bought the vehicle, the Ford dealer should have been aware of the defect and should have applied the repair kit as should the dealer when I took it in for both repairs. A dealer's service department should be aware of common problems with their models and should communicate this with the owners.
We had purchased our 1996 Ford Taurus in July of 1999 with 30,000 on the odometer [xxx]. not long after this I had the cooling system flushed and, at about 40,000 miles the heater core goes out. At a cost of $600 we had it replaced. Since then the heater core has been replaced 7 times; the last time being January 9, 2004 with 75,000 miles on the odometer. The first time the heater core had been replaced it was done by our local Ford dealer and was repaired with a Ford part. We were told that the part would have a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty, so if the part fails again it would be covered by Ford. This was a good thing. The part always failed before the 12K miles or 12 months (note: We also had the radiator replaced last summer 2003 at a cost of $850). After this last time it was suggested by the dealer that they will no longer replace it, nor will Ford. Since this car was made it seems, from what I have read and researched that Ford had used a different coolant which as caused these premature failures and refuses to do anything about it. Ford blames it on electrolysis; saying that if the coolant system contains more than.4 volts that it can cause premature failure of any part of the coolant system. I have checked this voltage each and every time before having the heater core replaced and it has always been below.2 volts. I did not check it this time and was told by the dealer that they measured.7 volts!? I personally do not believe that electrolysis is or has ever been the problem. Ford refuses to do any thing about this problem regardless of the cause. It was suggested that we buy another car; this was not in our plans because the car will be paid off in July of 2004; my wife was looking forward to not having any more car payments. So much for quality is job one! please note: The Ford dealer has been very helpful in trying to resolve this problem thanks to no help from Ford. Updated 07/30/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Previously to this on 1/99, recall 98B23 was completed dealing with the rusty, corrosive coolant condition which develops in the 1996 Taurus. Now the coolant reservoir has developed numerous stress cracks causing antifreeze to pour out. This car only has 60,000 miles on it. After further inspectioin it appears the radiator has also developed a leak.
- Morgan Hill, CA, USA
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The consumer turned on the heater and defroster and cold air along with a mist that filled the inside of the vehicle and covered the windshield. The consumer had to use paper napkins to clear the windows. The heater core is an existing problem that reoccurs every 3 months since April 2001. The dealer was notified. Nlm coolant leak. Dealer replaced heater core 5 times. Right rear window inoperative. Dealer replaced right rear window motor. Switch on air conditioner control head falls off. Dealer rpelaced cracked center control knob. Sunglass compartment in center console lid broke off. Console compartment door, hinge pins and spring replaced. Squeak noise under hood. Replaced belt tensioner and idler pulley.
When starting vehicle, the engine check light would remain on, followed by shaking and vibration. Also intermittent stalling would occur when coming to a stop or applying accelerator pedal from a stop position, vehicle was taken to dealer shop, and had some severe repairs done, problem concerning engine is still occurring, also rear brakes were replaced, the coolant overflow bottle contained a leak.
When purchased, this car was serviced, including a cooling system inspection. I also notified Ford by telephone that I had purchased the car, providing the VIN. I was told that there were no recalls on the car at that time. The cooling system was checked 4 months ago, and was fine at that time. Several days ago, the car overheated, spewing coolant when the hood was lifted. I did not, at any time attempt removal of the coolant cap; the coolant was spewing from beneath the closed cap. My mechanic found that the cooling system is completely contaminated with rust and sludge. He also told me that Ford had a recall on the situation. When I called Ford, they told me that the recall was over, that they would no longer cover this problem, and that the recall was over in 1999. I was never informed of this recall. Ford did provide me with a tsb number- 972416. But, told me I would have to bear the cost of the repair. How is it possible that a manufacturer can decide to repair a serious defect for only a limited time, and only if the customer complains during that time? I was stranded in a very bad part of atlanta by this incident, and coolant was spewed all over me. This is a safety concern, in my view, not the 'customer satisfaction' issue Ford termed it on the telephone when I spoke with them today. This situation was produced by a design defect that Ford clearly has knowledge of as evidenced by the tsb. Ford has also produced a retrofit part to correct the situation- F7dz8522aa (coolant recovery kit). Why is Ford not being required to take care of this situation on all affected vehicles?
Consumer received manufacturer's recall notice in 1999 about engine cooling system. Consumer had repairs done which replaced reservoir and heater coil. Since then, problem still persists. Recall did not remedy the problem. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated nothing else they could do. Also, contacted Ford, and Ford stated warranty expired, and nothing they could do. Please add VIN.
Engine and coolant system failed. Head gasket blew. Koons Ford of annapplis, md said I need a replacement engine for $4,500. Called Ford service rep. He said the problem is not a product defect and Ford will not help with repairs.
Heat gauge went up and down. Took vehicle to dealer who flushed coolant and found coolant had broken down and damaged engine. Vehicle still at dealer at this time. Blown head gasket.
Consumer noticed a slight odor after driving, the coolant system was checked and the container was brown and mushy so the fluids were replaced, a few months later, the coolant system was mushy and smelly again, a Ford representative stated that there had been a recall, but it had expired, the consumer never received a recall and is requesting that the recall work be complete, Ford would not repair or be responsible since the recall has expired.
The cooling system failed while I was waiting in line at the bank, and threw out the freeze plugs, I surfed the internet to see if the car had a recall and found out that it did and that several people has had the same problem and was denied. They deny having a recall on the cooling system, which required a bypass kit to stop the car from running hot. I actually got this information on your web site, I showed the recall paper to the dealer and they still denied it, I had to pay for expensies out of my pocket and for the rental car. The recall was in 1997, I was told that if I did not have the original recall paper there was nothing they could do and denied me the claim. I had to take the car back because it still was not heating and was told that I would have to pay another $600 to have a heater coil put in, in which I have never had any problems with heating or cooling before. They flushed the system again and I am still having heating problems and the car still runs hot, and still not heating proberly, even though they put the bypass kit on from the recall that never existed and charged me for it. They left parts aloose and you can hear it rattling. I did more research and found out that the car has 7 prior historys before I purchased the car. No one will acknowledge any of the research I have found, I have several documentation verifying all that I have told you, all I want is to be reimbursed for the repair and the car rental that cost me $591.12 and my car fixed the way it should be before my engine blows like others with the 96 Taurus has. Can you please help me?
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- Norfolk, VA, USA