1993 Ford Taurus: engine failure

Filed Jan 3, 2003 · Engine · 39,488 miles · MI

Please be advised that I am extremely dissatisfied with my 1993 ford taurus. It was purchased on july 8, 2000 from briarwood ford in ann arbor, michigan. It had 37,000 miles on it. After owning it for only 40 days, the engine blew on my way to tennessee. The repair shop checked it in with only 39,488 miles on it. They had to replace the engine longblock for a total of $5532.27. Let me give you a brief picture of my situation. I am a widow living on social security and a small pension from my former husband??s employer. I live in an apartment that is based on income. I was able to purchase the car for $6957.00 with the money I received when my mother-in-law passed away. After paying for the repairs, the cost of the car became $12,492.27. This amount would have paid for a much newer car, but I was trying to save some money for living expenses. I have glaucoma, diabetes and other medical problems. Due to my glaucoma, I will not be driving much longer and as it stands I don??t feel safe driving the car for any distance. I would love to visit friends while I can, but I also cannot afford to repair anything else that might go wrong. All I am asking for is to be reimbursed what it costs me to repair the engine. When I contacted the dealership from which I purchased the car, they said if it had happened in the area, they might have been able to help. I feel this is outrageous. Why should I buy a car only to travel in the area of the dealership. Ford has repaired over 100 cars due to engine problems and in march of 2000 they promised to compensate engine claims on a case by case basis. Ford assured that claims would be more thoughtfully handled. Since 1986, ford taurus??s have had several service bulletins in regards to engine problems, multiple safety-related recalls, secret warranties and service adjustments. I hope this letter gets to the correct person. If you can not help me, please tell me who can. Ts

Filed Nov 13, 2002 · Engine · IL

The vehicle?s head gasket leaked. The consumer believed the head gasket was defective and the dealer either replace the engine or replace the gasket.

Filed Jun 3, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Vehicle stalls out while driving. Contacted dealer, had head gasket replaced. However, problem reoccurred. Had head gasket replaced again. *ak consumer has been advised that the entire engine needs to be replaced, the pan plug left undone causing vehicle to lose oil, the radiator had to be replaced due to over torque bolts which bursted around the core, the engine is knocking and the oil light illuminated due to lack of oil. Consumer has lost trust in the dealership. Head lights failed, light switch was replaced. The wipers were noisy, dealer replaced the multifunction switch and wiper motor. There is a popping noise when turning, there is a rubbing noise in the right front on turns and when backing up. The air conditioner is not blowing cold air, shrater valve and A/C refrigerant was replaced. The key switch failed. The faulty antenna motor failed. The master cylinder had to be replaced. Tie rod was replaced.

Filed May 28, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · WA

Vehicle stalls intermittently, mostly below 50 MPH. Dealer cannot find a cause. *ak consumer stated that after 12 miles drive, the engine blew and a white whipped cram like substance came out from under the hood. The vehicle stalls while driving at low speeds also at idle and it was hard to start due to integrated control module relay failure. The check engine light came on because o2 sensor was damaged from coolant contamination. The vehicle smells of coolant due to radiator leak.

Filed Apr 30, 2002 · Engine · IN

Consumer states the 3.8l v6 engine (on the second engine replacement) would over heat while driving, taken to a repairs shop and informed of a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Feb 25, 2001 · Engine · MI

I purchased a 1993 ford taurus with 37,746 miles on it on july 8, 2000 for $6957. On aug. 18, 2000 as I was driving on I-75 the engine made a noise and started smoking. I pulled off the freeway to a ford dealer that was right off the exit. It took over 5 weeks to replace the engine. The cost was $5532.27. The dealer where I bought it said if it had happened near them they might have been able to lower the cost a little bit but otherwise too bad. I would like them to help with the cost of the repair as $12,489 for a 7 year old car is ridiculous and I only had it for 40 days. For that amount of money I could have purchased a much newer vehicle. I am a senior widow on social security and can not afford this. I have contacted ford motor company, briarwood ford, better business bureau, consumer affairs. I would like something done about this. I saw all the consumer complaints about the same problem. Ford needs to take responsibility for this problem. Thank you in advance.

Filed Jan 17, 2001 · Engine · MD

While driving about 70 MPH stepped on brake pedal and tried to start vehicle, but it did not start. Then, tried again and vehicle started. Once again on road at a red light engine died. Consumer let vehicle cool down and started it again. It looked like when vehicle heated up engine will die. This problem happened twice.

Filed Jan 16, 2001 · Engine · MO

Head gaskets on the 3.8l engine blewout, causing oil to leak. Ford has issued an extended warranty on head gaskets on 1994-1995 vehicles.

Filed Jan 12, 2001 · Engine · MD

Ford dealer wants $3800 to replace engine, head gaskets and various other parts damaged as a result of the head gasket failure.

Filed Jan 3, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · IL

While driving home from co to il, hot lite came on. Engine turned off and pulled to side of road (int76).2yr old, 10yr old, 2 adults on side of hiway - cars passing @70mph & above. Fortunately had a cell phone - still sat on side for 2+hours. New engine, trans, water pump installed 9/99. Head gasket leak detected 12/2000 after blowing radiator. Radiator replaced by a non-ford garage. Dealer said it was a bad radiator (new radiator had been installed 2 weeks prior-seams burst not rusted). Packey webb now repairing head gasket & water pump (failure probably caused by gasket leak same as the radiator). Ford will cover the parts but not the labor and will not cover the radiator. Vehicle had been in to a different dealer (joe madden - downers grove, il) several times for "rough running" problems during the full warranty period (of the replacement engine) and charged $115 each time for "diagnosis". "couldn't duplicate customer's concern" ford has acknowledged a problem with this engine in '94 and '95 taurus' but refuses to accept responsibility for the '93. We were fortunate to not be on the highway in dangerously cold weather with the current head gasket problem

Filed Jan 2, 2001 · Engine · PA

The engine blew a head gasket which allowed engine coolant to enter the cylinders. This results in billowing white smoke from the exhaust. It also causes damage to the bearing surfaces that may result in having to replace the engine. Ford has an extended waranty on the same engine for 1994 & 1995 models but they do not include 1993 engines. If its the same engine I think it should be included.

Filed Nov 28, 2000 · Engine · KS

Both head gaskets failed causing $1074.35 in damage which ford will not pay for. The engine was replaced by ford in 1994 and ford covers the cost of identical 1994 and 1995 headgaskets. This is a very common problem of the 3.8 and I feel ford should reimburse me for the cost of this work.