Called the dealer to schedule repairs, was informed that there was a recall on my vehicle for coolant system problems. Was told to just bring it in and they would fix it.brought it to the dealer on 09/21/99 and was then informed they would not do the repair for free because the recall had expired on 08/31/99. Called ford and was informed this was not a recall but an owner notification. I received no notification,but experienced mechanical problems directly related to defect in manufacture. Is this not a safety issue? Shouldn't they have to repair this vehicle at no cost to me? I was not notified of this problem and am the original owner. If this was an owner notification program and not a recall why was I not notified?
1996 Ford Taurus engine complaints
Page 7 of 8: complaints 161 to 190 of 216, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When ever the vehicle runs through a puddle of water, the dashboard lights fail and engine completely shuts / cuts off. The vehicle can be instantly started back up by turning the ignition again. Dealer can't find solution.
Every time it rains the power steering goes out and the engine begins to die
When we drive thru a small amount of water (puddle) with the right front, the car stalls. I have seen many of these reported in your complaints database & am wondering if any one have solved this problem yet. It just seems like water gets on the serpentine belt & it slips & stalls the car. Once it even restarted automatically without shutting the key off & re-starting. This seems very odd to me. How does the engine refire without turning the key?
Engine head gasket cracked, causing vehicle to overheat also, vehicle leaked/stalled and cut off without prior warning while driving at 45 MPH. Dealer is aware of the problem.
When vehicle was turned off it caught a fire in the engine towards the passenger's side. Please provide further information.
Consumer was driving approximately 20mph, turning into a puddle, and engine stopped/ all power was lost. Shortly, it returned automatically, and consumer continued to drive. Dealership replaced the engine belt. There was a memorandum whereas consumer had problem being taken care off.
Bolts on oil pan gasket were torqued improperly causing rubber seal to failed and oil to pour from the oil pan resulting in a burning smell.
No summary
At least twice a month when consumer is driving at various speeds vehicle stalls. Problem started july, 96. Dealers hasn't been able to duplicate this problem.
Engine coolant temperature fluctuates. Gurgleing sound under hood during fluctuations. Odor heat smell enters car during fluctuations. Dealer claims fluctuations are normal, but, did install a bypass kit on the cooling system after numerous returns to the dealrship. Ford consumer line representatives claimsthere are no problems reported on the make and model, and there are no recalls on the make and model.
While driving vehicle at various speeds the engine will suddenly shut down without warning which could result in an accident.
While driving through wet puddle vehicle would stall with no prior indication.
Car was taken in for recall on cooling system on november 11, 1998. Failure in cooling system on december 27, 1998. Head gasket was blown VIN number is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Engine head gasket failed. Also power steering fluid leak.
Ford is not providing any information on coolant rust denying rust at all. Have replaced resevoir for antifreeze due to a previous recall... Heater coil has gone out due to corrosion that ford is denying even exsists.
No summary provided by consumer
Transmission, radiator, and water pump all replaced in first 66k. This car has been very expensive to maintain. I am forced to purchase my next car from japan or europe. So much for supporting the american economy.
Vehicle intermittently stalls out while driving. Dealer notifed, and informed consumer that if it occurred again to bring the vehicle in.
Two to three gallons of water accumulated in the engine block apparently due to a cooling system failure involving the collapse of the head gasket. The engine was destroyed and had to be replaced. Ford motor company blew off my complaint, and the repair dealership (friendly ford/north miami beach) said that it must have been raining. Unfortunately, the vehicle does not come equipped with a spare engine for rainy days. I spoke with the dealership that sold me the car (deel ford/coral gables) which at first said that there had been a recall of certain 1996 ford taurus for precisely this problem, but when they checked my VIN, they claimed it fell outside the scope of that recall, and they refused to furnish an explaination. Subsequently, I discovered that the cooling system failure had also significantly degraded the transmission. The repair bills have been enormous. We find it inconceivable that the engine/cooling system was not defective since there is no other explaination in our view for the accumulation of two to three gallons of water in the engine block. Since this is a mass produced vehicle, if this happened to us it has probably happen to others.
Vehicle stalling continually due to design defect of the gas tank, modified fuel lines and emission canister (all components need to be replaced). Service bulletin issued.
Cooling system leaks anti-freeze and overheats.
The vehicle continues to overheat; the "hot" needle zooms to "h" without warning and the air conditioner spews out hot air; upon stopping, coolant erupts fromthe reserve tank and spills out in volume onto the pavement and the car becomes undriveable.
Vehicle will not start after it has been parked for several days.
Vehicle lost power at 65 MPH.
Oxygen sensors went out without the "check engine" coming on. Owner believes ford has disable the warning.
Engine experienced intermittent stalling problems. Qcaw
The seal between engine and transmission failed causing engine coolant to drain completely out. Vehicle overheated and stalled.
Engine took in water through air intake at bottom of left wheel well, while driving in heavy rain, and making a turn through three to four inches of water; engine immediately seized up.
Power steering fails in rainy weather.
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