1990 Ford Taurus: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Aug 25, 1999 · Body · DC

I brought my car into the dealer for a recall service to replace the "sub-frame rear plate nut". While fixing the recall matter, the dealer informed me that the front and rear engine mounts were bad, and that there was a lot of movement in the engine and transmission, sometimes resulting in a "clunking" noise being heard when shifting into drive or park. The dealer advised that the mounts should be replaced and would cost me $343.70. A few years ago, I had noticed the movement in the engine when the car was shifted into park or reverse, and had asked my local garage mechanic about it. He told me the mounts on the taurus were notoriously bad, but my particular car was not covered by a ford recall. I did not pursue replacing the mounts at that time. However, now that this recall notice on the frame came out, I have looked at material available on the internet, and see that there was a general recallfor engine mount deterioration on this car in march 92. (92m77) I do not think I received a notice of that recall. Since I drive my 3 kids around in this car, I try to keep it as safe as possible and deteriorating engine mounts is a recall notice I would have purused. In any event, I called the dealer (century ford in rockville, md) today asking about the engine mount deterioration recall and whether the replacement of the front and rear engine mounts should also be taken care of at no cost to me. The dealer advised that the parameters of that recall were in effect only for 60,000 miles or 6 years. They said my current mileage, about 69,000, puts my car outside that limit and therefore ford would not pay them to do that work. (I.e. I must pay.) I have since called ford and asked them about this situation and they just said they'd do nothing. I think the deterioration of the engine mounts sounds like a well-known (to ford, anyway) problem on this car and seems structurally to be intrinsically related to this other recall on the sub frame, and possibly caused by it.

Filed Aug 14, 1999 · Body · MD

Sub frame mount on driver's side failed. For past few weeks I noticed increasing noises/clunking noises from driver's side underneath my feet. This week the steering became very "stiff" with left hand turns. I was informed today by my mechanic that the problem came from a broken sub frame mount. He adviced me to take the car immediatly to a ford dealer which I am doing. Thank you

Filed Apr 4, 1999 · Engine · CA

We ordered this car new in 1990 with great enthusiasum. This car has been a perfect car for my wife to do her daily driving in which averages about 10 miles. The only problem is that the motor mounts have failed four times since we have owned this car.ford has replaced these mounts 3times under warranty, and the fourth time I paid $356.00 for their replacement.now once more I am hearing that familar clunk which means that the motor mounts need replacement again.these mounts have failed since 12/29/93, 5/20/94, 7/17/95, and o5/8/97. Ford replaced the mounts the first three times under warranty,the forth time I had to have them repaired,it cost $356. I called ford about this prbblem,and ask if this should be still be covered under warranty because this is a reoccurring problem and I was told no. Hopefully,this problem can be resolved. Thank you rudy martell.

Filed Oct 7, 1998 · Engine · OH

When driving the vehicle makes a clunking noise and when going around turns the vehicle is hard to steer. The vehicle wants to pull to the right. When owner looked under vehicle on the driver's side, he noticed that the bolt is coming out of the motor mount. The manufacturer has been notified about the problem. The manufacturer stated that there is no recall for this year.

Filed Aug 26, 1998 · Body · MI

There is a clunking sound in the transmission area when coming to a stop or taking off. Mechanic stated that the front and rear retaining plates are broken, and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Dealer not willing to correct free of charge. Vehicle not included in recall # 93v106002 structure: frame members and body.

Filed Apr 4, 1995 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

Engine mounts failed twice, causing vehicle to vibrate/clunk, upon acceleration.