1993 Ford Taurus: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Nov 19, 2005 · Suspension · 134,730 miles · NY

Right front coil spring broke while driving on local road. Had it repaired at local nearby service station. Right tie rod was ruined too. This spring had been replaced by the ford dealer as part of a safety recall in 1998.

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 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 Mar 13, 2001 · Steering · CA · crash

Steering wheel tie rod broke while driving in residential street.

Filed Dec 6, 2000 · Steering · VA

Vehicle makes a popping noise when steering mainly to right. Dealer checked and found it was front inner tie rod. No cause determined, but cost is on consumer.

Filed Dec 26, 1999 · Engine · NY

Engine head gasket blew at 78,000. Our mechanic told us this seems to be a chronic problem on 1993 and 1994 3.8 l ford taurus engines. Several people we know have stated the same problems with this engine. This leads us to believe this is a design defect. When we contacted ford customer service, we were informed no recall or extended service is avaialable to correct this problem eventhough they said it is not uncommon. Ford customer service staff did tell us it is unusual for a head gasket to go at 78,000. Ford customer service staff also told us their extended warranty program of 5 years or 60,000 miles only applies to 1995 versions of the 3.8 l engine. Our second problem is that of the rack and pinion. The front of end of this vehicle has had many problems in the last two years. The front coil springs broke and were eventually covered under a recall. However, we have had to replace the front struts, ball joints, tie rod ends, and rack and pinion on seperate occassions through 1998 (the vehicle had roughly 65,000 miles at this time). While we were in for the last recall on the vehicle, the ford service department also told us our engine mounts were rusting out and would need to be replaced. It appears that the 1993 ford taurus has a problem with the durability of the front end componts.

Filed Apr 17, 1999 · Engine, Steering · TN

I had no resolution on tie rods from dealership at the time this happened, and currently with the failed head gasket at only 48,000 miles, dealership did not know of any problem with this model taurus. I did find this problem with tie rods and and engine cooling system on service bulletins at this web site.

Filed Nov 12, 1998 · Suspension · NY

Loose front tension strut bushing to ball joint, due to weld failure.

Filed Nov 5, 1998 · Engine, Steering · CA

When vehicle is being driven it would vibrate. The check engine light would come on & stay. Took to mechanic & told motor mounts had snapped & the tie rods were damaged and they needed replacing.

Filed Oct 1, 1998 · Engine, Steering · MA

Head gasket blew out, and dealer charged to repair it because vehicle's warranty expired. Consumer believed that the problem was occurring way before the warranty ran out, and the dealer was giving him the run around. *ak wiper motor stops in the middle of the window, dealer replaced multi switch. 2 outer tie rods replaced and set toe due to loose steering.

Filed Mar 23, 1998 · Body, Steering · LA

While driving the lower a-frame bracket separated from the vehicle, causing the tie rod to become warped , and the rack and pinion steering to rear down. The delear has been notified.

Filed May 6, 1997 · Steering · CT

While driving at 5 MPH the steering: inner tie rod snapped completely off, disconnecting the wheel, cause the fuel line to break open. Please describe details.