Check a VIN

1993 Ford Taurus transmission complaints

Page 3 of 7: complaints 41 to 70 of 174, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1993 Ford Taurus transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 11, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · MI

I had to replace 2 transmissions on this vehicle and one head gasket. I understand there is reimbursement available for 94 and later taurus's for the headgasket. However, 93's should also be covered.

Filed Aug 2, 2000 · Brakes, Engine · FL

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Jul 26, 2000 · Brakes, Engine · NC

The engine is displaying the same sympyoms as the first head gasket problem. Brake rotors are beginning to 'pluse' indicating the need for replacement. Transmission indicator broken. Ford had a program to repair the 3.8 engine but the 93 models were not included even though the engines are identical. This vehicle has been a real 'dog'.

Filed Jul 24, 2000 · Transmission · MI

Repairman said problem with A/C due to inadequate clearance from ground. Same with oil and transmission pans?

Filed Jul 13, 2000 · Engine, Suspension · OH

Complete transmission failure was due to failed lube tube. Engine coolant leak was from the timing cover. Right front spring in the suspension is broken.

Filed Jul 5, 2000 · Transmission · CO

I think ford should reimburse me for the transm. Replacement and that their should be a recall on all taurus's due to both the transmission and the peeling paint on the exterior, mine is cracked and ready to peel. All dealers do not act in good faith in order to protect their bonuses along with ford executives. If not, ford should have to advertise disposable cars that last up to 30,000 miles or less. Any less expensive item the us gov. Would go after without hesitating. These items are major and are the same as an aircraft quality control. Isn't there any govt dept that can properly investigate the wrongdoing by ford? There are thousands of these cars withlike problems and nothing has been done to make USA auto makers accountable. If I had a small or large business and continually defrauded the public only for profit, where would you write to me--would I be taking millions home in bonuses or would some system make me accountable? Please respond as quickly as possible.

Filed Jun 27, 2000 · Transmission · MD

Downshifted into 2nd gear at highway speeds throwing occupants forward. Also, transmission balks when accelerating. Forward clutch piston suspected by dealer. Dealer refuses to compensate owner for repair. Numerous similar complaints from taurus owners exist.

Filed Jun 19, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Engine head gasket blew out while driving on the highway. Mechanic stated that the head gasket was defective. *ak transmission is going out of vehicle.

Filed Jun 9, 2000 · Acceleration, Engine · MN

Vehicle keeps stalling when trying to start up. Car rumbles when it finally does start. Makes a loud clunking noise when shifting gears. After I start up after a stop sign or stop light, I barely touch the gas and its off in a flash. When I am on the freeway and take my foot off the accelarator, it continues at the same speed for 5 minutes. I checked the cruise control and it was off. The engine sounds like a diesel engine every once in a while.

Filed Jun 9, 2000 · Body, Brakes · MD

Brakes repaired on two occasions.

Filed Jun 8, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · NM

I am filing this complaint on behalf of the original owner and myself. The original owner had numerous problems with the car (brakes, transmission) prior to selling the car to me. The car was in very good overall condition (except for the engine and transmission)and had been routinely maintained. In march the engine overheated on the original owner, he took the car to a mechanic who diagnosed the problem as a leaky head gasket and / or cracked cylinder head (based on his experience with the ford 3.8 engine). Other mechanics, including ford mechanics, give him the same diagnosis over the phone. The original owner was fed up with repairing the car and did not want to sink any more money into the car. The original owner offered to give me the car - I made several recall inquiries with ford about the car and shared the information with the original owner. Rather than hope for a future recall they sold me the car for $500 and wished me luck. They told me that they would never buy another ford product. I have not had good experience with ford products myself, but bought the car for my son who will pay for repairing the car. My son is keen on buying a ford and I hope to use this car as a lesson in not buying ford products.

Filed May 30, 2000 · Engine, Steering · MD

Car was running rough. Consumer took vehicle to mechanic, and he said it was a blown head gasket. Also, transmission is slipping/ shimmying/ shaking, and popping in and out of gear. Consumer said it sounded like engine was going to fall out. When running car for more than 20 minutes, it became very hard to steer and won't turn. Consumer feared steering in traffic. Headgasket and cooling replaced, but there is still transmission and steering trouble. *ak

Filed Apr 24, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Vehcile stalls when putting in gear . Also, it rides rough, has white smoke coming out, and is losing coolant.

Filed Mar 21, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · MO

My ford taurus suffered an engine problem involving the head gaskets. I went to three different ford authorized repair centers and they each told me that the ford's 3.8 engines always suffer this problem at 90,000 miles like clockwork. I was not aware of this engine's potential for problems, ford never published the routine problems it was having with this type of engine, and I specifically bought this car because of the 3.8 engine. The total amount of work and expenses I had with the engine problem exceeded $2,500. Within two weeks, my transmission went out, and the dealers informed me that the problems with the engine caused the problem with the transmission. I was forced to purchase a new transmission for $2,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2000 · Transmission · OR

Transmission started failing

Filed Mar 12, 2000 · Brakes, Engine · IL

Warped rotors:after awhile the rotors became so warped we had to put new ones on. Water pump:the car kept overheating and the water pump had failed. Radiator: the original radiator started leaking out all of the fluid. Head gaskets: the heater in the car would not work properly and car would not hold coolant for very long. Fuel pump:the car would not run after driving about 45 minutes. Transmission: it went out on us at the side of road when we were having problems with fuel pump. All of a sudden we smelled something very hot, and it went out on us when the car was running.

Filed Mar 9, 2000 · Body, Brakes · CA

Vehicle motor mounts replaced, however are not included in the recall (99v‑323) which only covers sub-frame mounts, consumer was denied.

Filed Feb 22, 2000 · Transmission · FL

While vehicle was in drive waiting for other vehicles to pass, it just died. Vehicle would not move in any gear. Total transmission failure.

Filed Feb 22, 2000 · Transmission · WY

Transmission failed.

Filed Feb 16, 2000 · Engine, Transmission · IL

At 55k miles transmission replaced as well as headgaskets. Covered under warranty. At 103k miles headgaskets again an issue with recommended engine replacement by ford dealer. They would not cover any of the work. Repeat problem.

Filed Feb 14, 2000 · Transmission · NY

I went to trade in the car and the dealership found out that the odometer was rooled back before it was sold to me. Please advise.

Filed Jan 14, 2000 · Airbags, Electrical · IN · crash · 1 injury

While driving 30-40 MPH had a direct frontal impact, and driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant who sustained injuries because of the crash. Manufacturer nor insurance company have inspected vehicle. No prior problems with airbag system. *ak vehicle has experienced several engine related problems, the timing cover gasket was replaced and the engine was replaced, after the engine was replaced there were still continuous problems with the engine, the heater hose was replaced, the engine began to stall, and the tensioner pulley and belt were replaced. The transmission was replaced. The battery was replaced. The turbine shaft speed sensor was replaced.

Filed Jan 12, 2000 · Transmission · TX

Aluminum drum piston cracked and caused forward gear clutches to burn resulting in transmission failure. Nlm

Filed Jan 4, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

Where do I start, this car has been a money pit from day one! The brakes had to be completely replaced 3 days after we bought the car--signature ford claimed it was are fault after some argument they finally reimbursed us for the brakes. We discovered a small leak, we found it to be coming from the heater hose. We decided to trust signature ford, they claimed that we needed a new heater hose, water pump and radiator. We took are car back to the first mechanic who looked at it and he swore that those things were not leaking when they left his shop, no proof though so we haven't filed a complaint against signature ford. We have since replaced the heater hose and water pump. We are taking the radiator in to be checked out very soon. We had the starter replaced at signature ford, since it was fixed the keyless entry stopped working. We've had the brakes complely fixed, three times. We have had the oxygen sensors replaced. The airconditioner will not work, we were told that we need a new compressor and clutch. There is a short that causes a fuse to blow, resuliting in loss of gauges. One of the back windows will not work. The molding around said window does not fit properly. The power steering makes a strange noise and sometimes does not seem to be working; we took it in to signature while under warranty and were told that it was fine. When we first purchased the car the tires that were on it were too big resulting in excessive wear. The current tires show signs of excessive wear on the inside front passanger tire. The transmission has been totally rebuilt, the tech. Who fixed it said that this is typical of sho's. The fog lights sometimes fail. The lamp out light comes on even when no lamp is out. The check engine light comes on sometimes during acceleration. The door ajar light comes on and goes off at various times. If we had known then what we know now we never would have purchased this vehicle. We cannot afford all of these costly repairs! *

Filed Dec 14, 1999 · Brakes, Engine · CA

Recall (98v‑323)repair for the engine mount were repaired but are currently failing again.

Filed Nov 8, 1999 · Transmission · KY

While driving odometer dropped from 94,000 to 15,000. Dealer says something was burned out on the odometer.

Filed Oct 30, 1999 · Engine, Transmission · MN

Engine failure from headgasket failure at 116500 miles. Transmission failure at 97000 miles broken clutch piston.

Filed Oct 28, 1999 · Transmission · OH

Car shutters and jerks while driving. Sometimes vehicle will start smoking. Took to dealer and they said it was an problem with the transmission.

Filed Oct 20, 1999 · Transmission, Visibility · IL

Transmission - shortly after we got the vehicle, at low speeds 10-15 MPH, the vehicle started lurching when trying to shift. This progressed to when driving the vehicle at highway speeds 55-65 MPH, the vehicle downshifted suddenly and violently, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly on a busy interstate, which almost caused a rear end multiple car collission. Took the car to 2 different transmission people, and they said the taurus' transmission in all vehicles is defective in that it is made so that the transmission oil cannot get to all the parts causing breakdown. They both said I should get rid of the vehicle as even if I put a new tranmission in the vehicle, the new ones are made exactly the same and the same problem will happen. On the federal safety agency complaint division, I found numerous complaints about the transmission, yet there has been no recall. Because I got the vehicle with 70000 miles on it, for all I know the vehicle could be on its 3rd or 4th transmission. I inquired about getting a used transmssion, and both repair men laughed and said good luck, every taurus still operating has had or needed a transmission replacement and thus there are no used transmissions available. The car bucks and jerks constantly and violently even at low speeds and because of the abrupt downshift at highway speeds, we no longer feel safe, and so do not drive it on the highway. The window shield wipers fail at the worst times - such as during a downpour when your're driving down the road at night, they will completely stop with no warning, making visibility impossible to even get to the side of the road and stop. I also found numerous complaints of this on the federal safety agency complaint site, yet no recall has been made on this. Although this vehicle has a lot of miles on it, the federal safety agency complaint site indicates that numberous person had transmission complaints of the same type when the vehicle was new (back in 1993) and I feel ford should be responsible before someone is killed.

Filed Oct 1, 1999 · Transmission · CA

At about 75 MPH, on 3 occasions, the transmission downshifted 2 gears. The first time, the car was on cruise control. The last 2 times, it had been on cc. To fix, had to drive on road shoulder for a mile or so, at very low speed, then transmission would shift to "d" again.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1993 Ford Taurus?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history