1993 Ford Taurus: won't start

Filed Nov 30, 2001 · Acceleration, Engine · TN

I have had trouble with almost everything possible on this car. The head gasket failed with no warning, no overheating - car would not start, had it towed to dealer who informed that head gasket had blown. Head gasket failed again 7 months later. Had trouble with surging, racing engine from about 25000 miles, dealer could not find problem. Finally, replaced speed sensor when out of warranty, and it failed again 4 months later. Have had tie rods and ball joints replaced, motor mounts replaced twice, brake problems starting at 24,000 miles. The air conditioner compressor came apart while under warranty. The cooling fan is now sticking, which started at 65000 miles.mechanic advised that this part is notorious for going bad, and that so many have had to be replace, the price of the part has gone down. I feel the 1993 3.8l taurus models should be covered under the recall, as well as the cooling fans, and I should be reimbursed for the cost of repairs. This car has very low mileage, has not been abused, and should not be costing me so much to drive. I will never buy another ford product, due to these problems, as well as problems I have had with the dealership. Thank you for any assistance in this matter.

Filed Sep 1, 2001 · Electrical · MD

My 1993 taurus started stalling out in june 2000 causin me to lose the power steering and brakes while driving. It first started with the "check engine light" coming on and then cutting off on the highway at 55mph. It cuts off while driving at any speed/anytime on city streets, highways and at stop signs. It won't start for about 10 minutes after it stalls out. I have even changed fuel at different gas stations thinking it was water or trash in the line but the probem didn't go away. I have had fuel pressure tessts, throttle body work, fuel injection service done several times and the problem still exists. Been to other mechanic shops and diagnostic test run and was told it was the fuel pump or the transmission or no problem found. One of the mechancis told me it sounded like it was the ignition module and suggested I take it to a dealer. In august 2001, I took it to a dealer and had the fuel injection service done, valves replaced and was told that would correct the problem but it didn't. The car was sluggish when I took it to the dealer and it is still sluggish especially when trying to excelerate. August 2001 had a new fuel pump put on and 2 days after that the car stalled out again. Since the new fuel pump has been in place the car has stalled 5 times in traffic. I am very frustrated at having to pay for unnecessary repairs and the problem still exists. There have been some close calls for a terrible accident. Please have this vehicle recalled before a fatality occurs. I don't feel safe in my own car as long as this problem exists.

Filed Mar 29, 2001 · Engine · WI

Engine temperature lever vacillates between the hot and cold indicators and also conerns of what the relationship between the hot and cold air blowing from the heating/cooling vents, consumer was advised by mechanic that thermostat was stuck,thermostat was replaced, however did not alleviate problem of the engine temperature gauge from vacillating,was advised by mechanic that thermostat would probably stick again,consumer was also advised that gaskets were at the beginning stages of failing, as well as having broken engine mounts,and a leaking radiator, none of the repairs were made, upon starting vehicle noticed riding rough and also noticed white smoke emitting from tail pipe, consumer was going to return vehicle immediately but vehicle would not start up again.

Filed Mar 12, 2001 · Body, Brakes · PA

Vehicle stalling intermittently, at any speed/any time. Dealer stated this was due to a faulty ignition device. *ak vehicle will not start whether it is in park or neutral. Starter, sparkplugs, and battery have been replaced, door chime would sound when keys were not in ignition. Transmission slipping and experiences erratic shifting. Faulty front struts cause vehicle to oversteer, tires were rotated and front was aligned to help problem, however did not remedy. Dashboard rattles, however dealer can not remedy this problem. Driver side door does not close properly and there is wind noise when driven over 20 MPH, left door was not aligned properly. Keyless entry failed, passenger side rear door lock inoperable. Emergency brake was never installed. There is a consisent wind sound in vehicle. Front end experienced shaking. Excessive fuel consumption. Difficult and noisy steering occurred, dealer replaced power steering line. Front brake pads replaced. Exhaust replaced. Fuel pump replaced. Windshield wiper switch was replaced. Vehicle currently has only 47114 miles on.

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 Oct 12, 2000 · Engine · IL

During hot days this summer and when the vehicle has warmed up, the engine shuts off, it has happened several times at stoplights or stop signs, three times while driving at 50 60 MPH. Also the car will not start for several minutes after the event. On occasions it will not immediately start after long drives within an 1/2 hour of parking it. These events just started after the car reached 100,000 miles. I had a tuneup and informed dealer of the issues -no problems found.

Filed Sep 15, 2000 · Electrical · CA

Vehicle stalls while driving and then does not start. Dealer in california claim they can not obtain the replacement part, that the supplier ford used does not make that specific part any more.

Filed Apr 10, 2000 · Electrical · OR

Car will not start again after being driven for about 15 minutes, have not even made first payment yet. Has happened four times, been back to dealership twice now since march 21, 2000.

Filed Jan 1, 2000 · Acceleration · PA

The vehicle lost power while driving and would not start until 10 minutes later because of irc module failure. Yh

Filed Sep 2, 1999 · Engine · NJ

When starting vehicle, it back fired / it will not start at all. After diagnostics was done, engine head gasket was found to be blown. Engine head gasket is being replaced.

Filed Feb 27, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · MO

Starter wire attached to starter keeps falling off..first time I was on a highway and my guarding angel was with me and I coasted off the highway and got help. All the other times I would get in the car and it would not start. A tow truck driver took pity on me and told me what the problem was and now I can get under the car and plug it in my self. I have taken it to a mechanic several times. They of course never told me how to fix it. I believe this is a design problem. Second issue is the head gasket. Dealer diagnosed the problem, getting 2nd opinion since I had it replaced in jan 1997. Dealer said it was under warranty under mprogram 98m1 as of dec 1998. Ford customer service said dealer was wrong it depended on where the car was manufactured. Where do I get more information about mprogram/98m1? I want to get reimbursed for the 1st incident. Is the gasket the problem or the engine?