I am the owner of a 1997 taurus. Approximately one week ago, the brakes failed completely while I was exiting off a highway; the pedal went all the way down to the floor. Since I was relatively close to home, I drove cautiously back to my house, after which I called a tow truck the take the car to my mechanic. A couple of hours later I received a call from the shop informing me that the entire brake line system was rusted & rotted away and that the fluid had completely leaked out. The mechanic said in his 20 years he had never seen a brake line system rust so completely in such a young car. In fact, he said, it should basically last the life of the car, never needing to be replaced. After all was said and done, the job cost almost $800. I asked to see the old lines and couldn?t believe how rusted and rotted they had become. There was no protective sheathing on the lines. I feel that I should be reimbursed for these repairs since it should have never have happened in the first place. The mechanic did mention that he had recently been seeing a lot of young ford models coming in with the same problem or rusting and failing brake line systems. Also, while searching the federal safety agency website for similar defects, I found complaints lodged about the rotting of the hard tubing, causing the brake lines to burst. In these cases, the cars were 1997 taurus?. My mechanic fixed the entire line system, completely replacing any old parts with new, custom made tubes. I kept the old tubing just so I can show ford what their cars are relying on for stopping. The entire job came to almost $800.
1997 Ford Taurus brakes complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 73, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have experience the same lost of power steering and brakes,I have also notice that when I turn my wheel it makes a squeaking sound.had the car checked was told it needed to be lubed.had it lubed car is still doing the same thing.a coworker has a 1997 ford taurus like my car and they are experencing the same noises. Please advise if this problem is common.
Vehicle moving down a hill. Power brakes and steering lost power,engine still running, but no power to brakes or steering. Finally stopped vehicle with no incident. Turned off vehicle and restarted, power to brakes and steering restored.*ak took to service.replacement was made to camshaft sensor. Problem seemed to have been corrected, but returned about 6 mos. Later...same circumstances,only in first incident, check engine light had been appearing intermittently.
While driving and upon pressing the brakes vehicle accelerated. The only way consumer could stop the vehicle was to put the vehicle in neutral. However, the last time she did that the vehicle accelerated at full speed. There were no accidents or injuries. Took vehicle to the mechanic. However, the problem recurred.
While driving traffic light was changing, went to pump the brakes, the brakes failed. The only way to stop the vehicle was to pull the emergency brake lever. Brake line completely rusted from the front to the back.
Brake line burst on 2 different ford cars in same week! And in both cases it was rot, and in both cases it was the hard tubing, not the hoses. One a 1997, so it was only 7 years old. Brake line rotted enough to burst during firm stop. The new ABS style brake lines are dangerously thinner than the older style brake lines. They also seem to have electrostatic properties that cause premature rotting in some cases. The piece that broke was much more rotted than the other pieces attached the holding clips actually causes more rotting because water collects in the open space where it hold the thinner brake line. It is extremely dangerous that these brake lines are being made much thinner. Also on the 1997 ford taurus the brake lines hang down lower than other suspension in the middle and present a hazard during winter when cars may be driven across frozen snow. Ford engineers need to go back to school. Brake line tubing walls must be made thicker. I have had many cars and driven them over 100k miles each and never had a brake line burst for rot before. This car broke at around 80k I think. Date is approximate...I'm not going to look up the repair bill right now. Ford could easily be number one if they stop doing stupid things like this.
The car was parked. I started the car, stepped on the brakes and it went to the floor. I looked under the car and saw oil leaking about a foot forward of the drivers side rear tire.
While driving at any speed ABS light appeared on the dashboard. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership for inspection. *ak the check engine soon had also come on. The consumer stated that the lights would come on intermittently, both at different times.
Cracked forward piston in trans. I have a`97,,,wasn`t that problem fixed?
Service engine light will not turn off...transmission has been replaced and repaired and is now needing repair again...tires from normal wear...brakes from normal wear...
The dashboard is separating in layers from the frame of the instrument panel. There is tsb 00203 concerning this problem. Also, the consumer is having problems with the ABS light coming on and staying on.
1997 ford tarus has brake problems. Began with shaking of steering wheel when brakes applied at exits off of interstate. After 3 attempts from jan 99 thru oct 01 to get the local ford dealer to repair under warranty I had them semi- repaired at a local just brakes repair shop where I was told that calipers weren't releasing. Still have brake noise as if calipers are not fully releasing.
The vehicle experienced grinding noise on the rear passenger side. The brake rotors could not be resurfaced because they were too thin. The consumer felt that the elimination of the warning indicator on the rear brake pads could pose a hazard because sudden brake failure could occur without warning. *ph *cb
While driving 55 MPH brake failed to operate. Vehicle towed to dealer. They informed consumer master brake cylinder was the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.
When brakes are applied vehicle will shimmy, almost causing loss of control .
While applying the brakes from between 65 to 45 MPH there is a serious shaking felt through the steering wheel and column. There is also a problem with the automatic door locks not working when the car is put into motion. That really concerns me having three small children. The interior dome light also doesn't shut off as it should.
While driving, without warning, engine check light/ ABS light on dashboard illuminated. Consumer was referred to dealer ship or manufacturer.
Vehicle leaking brake fluid. Brake light comes on. Took to dealer, and replaced master cylinder.
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway and another vehicle jumped in front of him. He went to apply brakes and pedal went all the way to the floor. Dealership was aware of problem.
A/c compressor seized causing drivebelt failure and loss of steering, alternator, and power brakes.
Whenever braking brake pedal linkages would fail to stop vehicle when needed.
Brake system functions erratically. Dealership has not examined vehicle. There is a wire located right above brake pedal, if this wire is moved or touched, brake system fails to function. *ak
Engine is knocking as consumer accelerates with speed. *ak transmission have been replaced twice in 37ooo miles. Front wheel bearing failed at 15000 miles. Rotors failed at 24000 miles.
Dealer claims no problem found but brakes absolutely failed.
Master cylinder failed while slowing down for a stop, causing consumer to run through an intersection. Consumer had to use emergency brake in order to stop vehicle. *ak
Brakes keep warping. Materials that are used for brake pads cause rotors to overheat & become warped. Every time brakes were applied vehicle would shimmy. Taken vehicle to dealership 4 times & mechanic can solve the problem.
Vehicle would hesitate & wouldn't stay running. Wires for fuel pump had rubbed against flex hose, causing it to expose the wires & short out. Dealer cold do nothing because no recall. *ak also the cv joints failed and the transmission pan cracked. The brakes vibrated causing the steering to vibrate terrebly. The vehicle, the consumer says, must be defective.
No summary
Air conditioner failure.
When we first bought the car we discover shortly after it had been badly recked they did not tell us took it to a body shop and they had a whole new front end on several peices of glass was still in the car has had a popping niose since we bought it they keep saying they dont hear it they kept it so long each time we took it to them we had a engine put in it after not even a year have had several problems and there is no warranty so we pay for every thing but it has been a lemon ever since we bought it the car lot tried to say they didnt know it had been very badly wrecked didnt take any off the price after we found out and the door doont even line up right.
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