1995 Ford Taurus: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 14, 2003 · Engine · 43,000 miles · NJ

While driving vehicle stalled. Driver lost power steering. Driver managed to move to side of road and stopped vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealership for the mechanic to check out problem.

Filed Feb 1, 2002 · Electrical · FL · fire

While driving at 55 MPH vehicle suddenly started to lose power. Driver noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Driver pulled over, raised hood, and noticed that wires in harness behind engine were on fire. Please provide any further infomation. Dealer has been contacted.

Filed Feb 16, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · GA

At 45 MPH vehicle lost power from transmission to wheels. It seemed to be slipping, and then it would grab and the vehicle would lurch. At times there was little or no control of the vehicle. Subsequently, the transmission was consistently upshifting late and downshifting early, and sometimes slipping. One repair shop could not determine what was causing the problem. Gene evans ford quickly determined that a faulty vehicle speed sensor was the cause. (this also caused the cruise control to be inop). They replaced the sensor and the transmission and cruise control have performed flawlessly. The part cost $36.58. Labor was $305.46. The total bill came to $369.60. I consider this to be a safety issue, and I would like ford to reimburse me for this cost. 6

Filed Sep 27, 2000 · Engine · CA

While driving the vehicle my wife lost power and observed white smoke coming out of the rear exhaust pipe. Later a mechanic at lithia ford determined that the car blew a head gasket. We contact ford but they refused to accept any liability.

Filed Sep 14, 2000 · Engine · OR

When driving in hot extremely hot weather conditions with air conditioner running vehicle will cut off without prior warning, causing loss of all power. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealr unable to determine the cause.

Filed Aug 8, 2000 · Engine · PA

Serpentine belt broke due to extreme heat coming from engine that dried out the belt, causing a loss of power and steering.

Filed May 18, 2000 · Engine · GA

Vehicle experienced engine overheating and loss of power, recall for same failure, however vehicle denied due to VIN #. Yh

Filed Dec 21, 1999 · Transmission · IL

Transmission ceases to function without any warning (sound, performance change, etc.). In this incident, the transmission failed at a busy junction of the edens and the kennedy expressways in chicago causing the car to lose power unexpectedly. Fortunately the driver was able to get onto the left hand shoulder and with the help of the illinois department of transportation truck (idot) to get off the expressway without injury or other damage to the vehicle. However, the situation was extremely dangerous as this occurred at a bend in the road where passing traffic tends to come onto the shoulder. In addition traffic was both very heavy and very fast moving. This is the second time this transmission failed without warning. The first transmission failed in june 1998 at 48360 miles and was replaced by ford under extended warranty. Car has had complete service since new including all recommended oil changes and adjustments. Car is used for residential purposes (errands & trips), has never been in an accident, and has been operated in accordance with ford's usage guidelines (load weight, etc.). It has had no unusual or heavy stress usage.

Filed Nov 8, 1999 · Engine · MD

Ford is aware of the premature failure of head gaskets...I recieved a notice,however when my engine gasket blew and the car overheated I was at 75,600.600 miles over the extended warenty.now 3 days after paying for a new gasket and all the repairs my dealer said the car needed.I was told the car needs a new engine which will cost and estimated 3,500-4,000$more.....may I add the car is only 4 yrs old....ford will not assume any responcibility.now you must be asking yourself....is this a safty issue?.let me answer that.when you are traveling 55mph and your engine stalls because it lost oil pressure after it got hot,and you suddenly lose all power....well yes....it almost caused a very bad accident I.

Filed Sep 22, 1999 · Electrical · OH

When the outside temperature is above 90 degrees the engine quits causing a loss of power steering thus making the steering extremely difficult especially in heavy traffic at highway speeds.the engine will not start untill the engine compartment has been allowed to cool down (with the hood up) for approximately 30 minutes. A dealer replaced the ignition module one time but this has not solved the problem. The problem is definitely related to high ambient temperatures.

Filed Aug 28, 1999 · Fuel system · MD

Car stalled out (35mph) near end of 200 mile trip. Was diagnosed by king l-m as a fuel pump failure, and replaced at a cost of $507. The federal safety agency compliant data base indicates a large number of fuel pump failures, and many other complaints (I.e., continued stalling, loss of power, electrical shorting in fuel pump assembly, etc.). I'm beginning to wonder whether you people ever do anything with the data that consumers provide. Don't you realize that loss of power (engine shutdown) presents a major safety risk? Also, ford has acknowledged the existence of a design defect in this fuel pump (see tsb's # 96-7-5, 95-25-2, and 94-16-3). The most recent tsp suggests that the oem pump be replaced with a fuel pump of a different design after the oem part fails. The issue described in the tsp involves "reduced power, hesitation, stalling, and no-start conditions... Caused by a lack of vapor ports in the (oem) fuel pump. Giving the dates of the tsp's(which apply to 1989-1995 tauruses), it is obvious that ford has known about this safety defect for a very long time. Why hasn't this item been reported to the federal safety agency? Why are the referenced tsp's not available on the federal safety agency data base? Ford has ungraciously offered to replace the fuel pumps at their expense only when the failure occurs during the basic vehicle warranty period. This is an unacceptable, untenable position-- as the issue involves (1) known design defects (per the tsp's); and (2) matters of public safety. I hereby request that a full and comprehensive study of the component in question be undertaken by the federal safety agency.

Filed Jul 27, 1999 · Electrical · NY · fire

While driving on highway, vehicle started smoking/lost power, and fire came from front hood. Fire department and police department came. Vehicle towed and insurance co. Totalled car. Reported opinions electrical fire. Provide further information.