1992 Ford Taurus: engine overheating

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · CA

Coolant leaking into head gasket and piston/cylinders causing engine to vapor lock and freeze. We bought a $900 extended warranty on this vehicle, and we had to pay a $95.00 diagnostic fee to see what was wrong, hansel ford in santa rosa, california says that warranty will now only cover specific parts of the engine and not all of the engine as described in extended warranty, we bought the estate warranty from the dealership in case something like this happened. We have now no money to pay for the cost of the repair that we thought was covered under the extended warranty, and basically have no recourse except to either tow the vehicle from hansel ford in santa rosa to our place of residence in santa rosa, and or sell/ot towed to a junk yard because said warranty is of no use. We have had the vehicle a little more than 1 year. Have put approximately 10,000 miles on the vehicle, which the warranty states car is still under because its 36,000 miles or 3 years which we come well under that. If dealers would be held more liable, as well as the ford motor company, they would probably back their products (cars,trucks etc. Better.)

Filed Oct 15, 2002 · Brakes, Seat belts · WI

I own two taurus station wagons, this one and a 1990 model, both purchased used. Both have had two problems in common. The parking brake warning light on both cars has failed intermittently. On the 1992 model, this LED to a leaking rear wheel hydraulic brake cylinder due to overheating. On the 1990 model, I once drove 2 hours on an interstate highway with the parking brake on. This later caused the rear right spindle to bend, putting the tire severely out of alignment. The heat had essentially annealed and softened the spindle. No mechanic I have talked to had seen this before. The other problem is the seat belt buckles. Both became unreliable and had to be replaced. Similar model cars at the junkyard also had broken buckles. Both at times appeared to be buckled, then later slid open. Mr

Filed Jul 3, 2002 · Engine · MD

Consumer states while driving and without warning vehicle overheated resulting vehicle to become inoperable dealer has been notified however seem not to have a remedy for problem.

Filed Jun 18, 2002 · Engine · NJ

3.8 v6 engine would overheat while driving. Dealer notified, and infromed consumer of a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Mar 6, 2002 · Engine · MA

Headgasket blew and engine head warped on my 3.8l ford taurus while driving at 35 MPH causing the car to overheat. This is the second time this has happend within a year. My mechanic told this is very common on 3.8l engine. I would like to know why the federal safety agency has done nothing about this.

Filed Mar 1, 2001 · Engine · MO

Vehicle experienced overheating and white smoke coming from tail pipe. Taken to a independent repair shop, and informed consumer that 3.8l v6 engine had blown another head gasket, first one occurred at 47,700 miles. *ak consumer is requesting a refund.

Filed Feb 26, 2001 · Engine · AZ

Engine cooling fan circuit is bad, causing vehicle to overheat and head gasket to blowout. A recall has been issued on vehicle make and model; however, this vehicle is not included due to VIN.

Filed Apr 21, 2000 · Engine · CA

In 1999 my car overheated due to the headgaskets. Now, in april of 2000 it has happened again. Ford is not stepping up to handle what is obviously a wide spread defect in several of their cars.

Filed Feb 29, 2000 · Engine · IL

#4 cylinder combustion chamber coolant leak. Diagnosed as cylinder head gasket failure as covered in 3-3-98 technical servcice bulletin 98-4-9 with actin tobe installation of revised head gaketand bolts which provieimproved sealing capacity and higher clamping force between cylinder head and block on l988-95 taurus withinstallation of f5pz.

Filed Feb 8, 2000 · Engine · CA

Engine blew the head gasket, causing car to overheat. Vehicle isn't working. Dealership told consumer it would cost him $4,000 to repair.

Filed Sep 23, 1999 · Engine · OH

While driving at 55 MPH engine motor mounts broke, causing engine to shift forwards and backwards, damaging the coolant system, and vehicle overheated.

Filed Jun 1, 1999 · Engine · MI

Engine gaskets were defective, and engine would overheat. Dealer contacted and vehicle did not comply to any recall. Repairwork done at owner expense.