1998 Ford Taurus brakes problems

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 138,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the brakes failed completely and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure had recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the vehicle needed a rear proportioning valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 138,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 21, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 140,920 miles · TX

While applying the brake to stop at a light on a highway access road, the vehicle had trouble stopping. It started violently jerking and vibrating and the brakes were all the way to the floor. The RPM's read in the 4's. I pulled over and in a parking lot, the vehicle rapidly reached 45 MPH without stepping on the gas pedal. I was reluctant to have it reach a greater speed so I stopped the vehicle. It once again did not want to respond properly to the brakes. I called ford and eplained the sudden acceleration and the vehicle difficulty in stopping, there are no recalls. I researched online, and it appears that there is a faulty cruise control cable that sticks to the throttle and leaves it open. I once again contacted ford for an estimate to replace the cruise control cable. The service advisor stated that there was no such thing as a cruise control cable. I called the parts department and they said that part is aftermarket and is no longer available. This is a very dangerous situation. I was reading the aol vehicle complaints on this and accidents have occured and people have been injured. I don't know why ford does not recognize this serious safet issue in a timely manner.

Filed Sep 14, 2012 · Body, Brakes · 102,000 miles · MI

Applied brakes while stopped in parking lot,pedal went to floor,all brake fluid now under car. Unable to lift car,no metal existed from floorpan to rocker panel bottom. Brake lines had been affixed to this metal,and now had lost support/mounting place and vibrated and fell apart. The outside of the car looked almost new,but the plastic trim on the lower sill hid the problem outside. Now,the door sill(both sides)are getting so bad,we are afraid to step on them,or go over a bad bump or railroad track. I don't understand this,as this metal rotted from the inside-out,as though it never went thru a rust prevention bath process. My friends are current ford people or,like myself,are retired ford people,they said taurus veh. Cant have this extreme problem,but I do. Thanks for asking.

Filed Mar 30, 2011 · Body, Brakes · 142,392 miles · NH

In june 2008 I started my regular yearly maintenance schedule of my 1998 ford taurus wagon. I had my oil change & rotated/balanced my tires. In october 2008 I had two tires replaced (all of my service was done @ a ford dealership in my city) and a multi-point inspection for my vehicle inspection. The mechanic advised me that my car needed rear shocks, as the outer casing was rotted! Left inner tie rod was loose & front brakes were worn. I went in on oct 23, 2008 and had all of the work done!,$417.45 for front brakes, resurfaced front rotors; replaced front inner tie rod. Then on 11/10/08 I went in to have my vehicle inspected and was advised that it failed, the rocker panels were rotted out! I made an appt for 11/19/08 to find out how much it would cost to fix this & learned that the rocker panels were not available from ford & that I needed to fabricate new ones! My car, which had 142,555 miles on it, which I thought to be in perfect condition, did not pass inspection because of sub-frame rot! This vehicle has only been serviced by ford dealerships, who had just pocketed $621.45 of my money to perform work on a car that they refused to inspect! In searching for estimates to repair this damage I learned that all taurus' rusted in the same place! Under the rocker panel covers, right where mine was rotted. I was told by every company to junk my car! I called ford to express my concerns and was only told "your car is no longer under warranty". I just learned today about recalls on ford vehicles due to subframe rot! My car is still sitting in my driveway. I have been unable to fix it and have not junked it yet because I am so saddened that it was never fixed by ford. I have every receipt for all the work performed on my car and would like my car to be included in the updated recalls on ford vehicles! Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 10, 2006 · Brakes · 49,000 miles · NY

While going to work both brakes lines on drivers side went bad after checking with mechanic. Was told both lines was rotted away. I do have to order parts from ford. Which is going to cause me 265.00 to fix . My car has 49000 miles. No reason why brakes line fail not a old car always taken care of.

Filed Jun 19, 2006 · Brakes · 63,000 miles · MA

Dt*: the contact stated the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently, but there were no problems with the brakes. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the ABS sensor was replaced, but this did not remedy the problem. The manufacturer and dealer have not been alerted.

Filed Apr 12, 2006 · Brakes · 129,660 miles · PA · crash · 2 injuries

Dt*: the contact stated while approaching a stop at 15 MPH the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle did not stop, causing a rear end collision with another vehicle. The brake pedal went to the floor and was spongy. Seat belts were in use and minor injuries were sustained by both the contact and passenger. There was a police report filed and the vehicle was towed. The insurance inspector has not disclosed the cause of the accident. The manufacturer was not alerted.

Filed Jun 8, 2005 · Airbags, Body · 70,000 miles · KY

Dt: consumer was driving through mcdonalds when brakes failed, and pedal went to the floor. Consumer looked out of car and saw brake fluid on ground. Consumer walked to garage, and was told brake line was bent which caused it to rust. Brake line was located on driver's side. Consumer was told brake line went from front tire to rear tire. When brake went out the air bag light came on. Light was yellow with picture of air bag deployed. Also, consumer noticed that dash in vehicle on driver's side was separating.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Brakes, Suspension · 54,000 miles · WI

Took 1998 ford taurus (duratec 3.0) in for cooling system flush and transmission flush. With only 54,000 miles, I was surprised to find a rear stabilizer bar was broken, and a front axle seal was leaking. Those are clearly materials defects, as we take expert care of this vehicle. I have also had problems with rotors since we drove the car off the lot. The poor quality rotors the factory installs on these cars contributes to warping, which would be noticeable by a pulsing when braking from highway speeds.

Filed May 27, 2004 · Brakes · MS

While applying the brakesthe pedal went to the floor and the driver heard a loud knocking noise from the passenger side wheel. This causes a loss of braking power. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to dealer. The mechanic informed the driver that the master cylinder needed to be replaced due to a worn housing shaft unit. Please provide any additional information.