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.
On 4/3/2015 my mother in law pulled into the driveway after a 10 mile trip to town. Upon pulling in the driveway the car started on fire immediately, at first she thought the car was overheating (white smoke) then realized the car was actually on fire (black smoke). She had to be helped by an Idaho power employee who was driving by. A total of two 15lb fire extinguishers and garden hose were used to keep the fire at bay until the fire department arrived. The car was destroyed from the dash panel forward. The fire department determined the fire started at the power distribution box located by the master cylinder on the firewall. The fire department determined the cause as an "electrical fire", up until the fire the car had no known electrical or major mechanical problems. The car had no modifications and was completely stock. No insurance claim was filed as I only carried liability coverage on the car.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle failed to shift gears and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was jumpstarted. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Taurus. The contact stated the transmission slipped and the rpms increased while driving at various speeds. The contact performed a diagnostic test and the failure was located within the transmission head gasket and filter. The transmission head gasket and filter were replaced. The failure was not corrected. The transmission continued to slip and the rpms increased. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000 and the current mileage was 137,777.
The transmission in the consumer's 1997 Ford Taurus failed. The gears and bearings were eaten up and the vehicle would not go from first to second gear.
The steering wheel makes a noise when I turn right at times. I haven"T had it fixed yet. Sometimes my window on the drivers front won?T roll down. It hasn?T been fixed. The car wouldn?T go forward when you had to stop at a stop sign or light. The transmission has been fixed. The forward clutch piston had to be changed. I couldn?T drive it further as it wouldn"T go forward after I stopped.
- Wichita, KS, USA
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We have had to replace the transmission three times since we have had the car. It first went out four months after we got the car. We got this car in may of 2001 from ugly duckling car sales now known as drivetime. This car is definitely a lemon. I think it has been in some major accidents....
I am sending a copy of a letter I sent to various news stations and agencies. It"S in regard to a problem that arose concerning my Ford car. I purchased a 1997 Ford Taurus in March 1997 from springfield Ford in Delaware county. The car came with a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. In March of 2000 I purchased an extended warranty for three more years at the cost of $1,000. In July 2000, with less than 30,000 miles, the transmission failed and had to be overhauled. If I "didn't" purchase the warranty it would have cost me in excess of $2,000. Well, the extended warranty ran out on 3-31-03. On 5-21-03 the transmission went again. It is going to cost $2,800 to replace. The car is six years old and has less then 50,000 miles on it. I have talked to several certified mechanics that all agree that this shouldn't have happen. Either Ford co. Has a bad transmission for this type Taurus or the problem was never fixed right the first time. When I contacted Ford H.Q. they hadn?T heard of any problems with their transmissions. And springfield Ford said there?S nothing they can do, even after I mentioned we have bought three cars in six years from them, it really didn't matter. In conclusion, I just wanted to say that I have five kids at home and really don?T have $2,800 lying around. If this is the way one of America"S biggest corporations stands behind their products, well now I know why people are buying imported cars and from now on myself and my family will be one of them. Thanks for your time, any help or feedback you could give me a call would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, [xxx] phone # home- [xxx]\T# work- [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Right rear window won't always close after opening. Transmission slips during low speed starts through intersection or parking lot. Feels like it is in neutral. Then when transmission engages, it suddenly lurches chirpping the tires.
Transmission going out at such a low mileage, serpentine belt failure, cam sensor & false distributor shaft, & multi-functional switch in steering column
Service engine light will not turn off...transmission has been replaced and repaired and is now needing repair again...tires from normal wear...brakes from normal wear...
Had just taken off from a stop when vehicle started to slow down. Checked for correct gear placement. Depressed gas pedal, and tachometer went over, but vehicle was not moving.vehicle could be reversed but not forwarded. Took to independent mechanic, and transmission was replaced with a used one.
Tire on rear side of vehicle was split, causing a rough ride. Consumer had taken vehicle to the dealership several times. Also, complaining that speedodometer was defective, it didn't show how fast vehicle was going.
When the transmission/engine is cold and the vehicle is parked on level ground, the vehicle moves forward up to three inches until the parking pawl engages.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jerome , ID, USA