1995 Ford Taurus: loss of power steering

Filed Jun 19, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 136,000 miles · MO

This past sunday, on june 11, 2017 I was driving home from a graduation party and there was a loud "pow" once I accelerated from a stop. My steering was very stiff (as if I was driving an ancient large truck with no power steering, also my exhaust system at least partially came undun. I was able to get the crippled car to our regular repair shop, who told me that I had a subframe rust-collapse. I had talked to a shadetree mechanic friend, who said that it wasn't an actual subframe collapse, but the next layer up, the engine cradle whose sleeves are no thicker steel than the unibody sheetmetal. One of the sleeves rusted through. Supposedly the engine cradle sleeves are removable/or the cradle itself. My mechanic friend and the tow fellow that brought my car back to my home, both said that what happened is quite rare, they never heard of such an incident. The cradle rust through caused my front subframe to partially collapse and the engine is tilted down on the right-front. This disconnected the exhaust and bound-up my rack-and-pinion steering, rendering the car unsafe to drive. This car is not a rust-bucket, no rusty body panel holes, and everything else still works! Just the paint and clearcoat are flaking-off. I have looked on the internet and searched local salvage yards, but cannot find a good engine cradle/sleeves. Yet, there are scads of good taurus engines cheaply available. Why didn't ford offer replacement engine cradle/sleeves? Was there no recall? I'd bet I'm not the only person this happened to!! I would like to get this car fixed! I have photos of the subframe fallen after the engine cradle failure. Please send me an e-mail address I can upload them to. I lose this page if I try to upload here (4th time!)

Filed Sep 13, 2013 · Acceleration · 111,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford taurus. The contact stated that while reversing from a parking space, the power steering failed and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the under carriage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2009 · Body · 79,331 miles · MI

Tl*-the contact owns a 1995 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH the body mounts at the rear corners of the sub frame detached, which caused the sub frame to drop.as a consequence the steering became very difficult, thus affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash. He contacted the manufacturer in reference to recall# 98v323000 (structure; frame and members). Upon contact a representative stated that because his vehicle identification number was excluded from the range he was ineligible for a free remedy. No repairs have been made. The failure and current mileages were 79,331.

Filed Aug 26, 2008 · Body · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford taurus. While making a turn, a bolt detached from the subframe. As a result, steering became difficult and affected the contact's control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the ford dealer, but it has not yet been repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number 98v323000 (structure: frame and members). The speed and failure mileage were unknown.

Filed Jul 18, 2008 · Engine · 103,013 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford taurus. While driving 15-20 MPH, the contact heard a loud clunking noise underneath the hood and a loss of steering. The engine fell and landed on the steering rods, which made it extremely impossible to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer and they confirmed that the damage was not worth the repair, and would not recommend investing money into the vehicle. A week prior to the failure, the independent mechanic at a local midas installed a new muffler. There were several recalls listed for that year, make, and model vehicle and ford was notified. The contact was informed that there was only one recall for the year, make, and model vehicle, but in reality, there were six. Ford also stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall on october 6, 1999. The contact stated that he did not receive a recall notice or have any repairs performed at the location they claimed. The current and failure mileages were 103,013. Updated 08/04/08 *bf updated 08/07/08

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 25, 2003 · Steering · NJ

The power steering failed while driving.

Filed Sep 5, 2002 · Engine, Steering · CA

Consumer stated the power steering failed while driving, however when the vehicle was towed to the dealer, they could find no problem.

Filed Jul 1, 2002 · Airbags, Body · FL

While driving at a low speed, vehicle lost steering control. Dealer inspected vehicle and notified consumer that subframe diconnected from vehicle. Vehicle was repaired under recall 98v323000, and part was not covered under warranty and recall. *ak dealer found steering gear cracked. Subframe bushings and washers were worn and missing. Steering gear and subframe bushing were replaced. Airbag light flashing. Clockspring assembly replaced.

Filed Mar 26, 2002 · Steering · IN

While driving the vehicle is very hard to steer, the consumer believes that the power steering is harder than it should be, the rack and pinion has been replaced yet the problem still exist. Nlm

Filed Jun 16, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · GA

Starting on 3/15, the car would turn off with no warning, both at idle and at speeds of up to 75 MPH. We are left to coast to the side of the road with no power steering or brakes. Sometimes it will recrank, other times it won't. Local ford dealer has had the car 5 times (has it now) and cannot figure it out. Have replaced fuel pump, crank sensor, cam sensor, water pump, ignition control module and various filters. Until recently, the dealer could not replicate the problem, so we kept the car until it was literally lurching and knocking, barely driving more than a mile at a time, turning off every 100 yards or so. They finally saw it turn itself off. It just goes dead. After several times, we found that there was a telltale "shudder" that occured sometime prior to it shutting off. No real pattern though. Can happen first thing in the am, when cold, or on highway at cruising speed, or on city streets in stop/go. Also at idle, or coming to a stop. Cannot find a reason for this to happen. I found 44 other instances mentioned here of this...although some people call it engine, others fuel, others even have said transmission or ignition/electrical, while all describing the same thing. When will ford get the idea that there is a problem????

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.