1998 Ford Taurus: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jun 11, 2002 · Transmission · PA

Transmission was not shifting smoothly, engine check light came on, ford dealership determined it was low transmission pressure error code. They removed the transmission, found it had failed and replaced it. The extended warranty covered most, not all, of the cost, but a transmission should not shell out after only 49,000 miles on a well-maintained car. I don't think the ford engineers have a good matchup of computer and transmission here, it seems to search for gears too often and hesitate during downshifts. I especially hate the way the computer kicks up the idle to simulate a free-wheel sprag that better automatics use. This causes the car to coast up to dangerous speeds on long downhill stretches - I have had the cruise set under 60, but the car hit 80 without any help from me - this is on hills that no other car I drive gain more than 5 miles-an-hour.

Filed Jan 3, 2002 · Transmission · CT

Transmission blew a seal and the fluid poured out of vehicle. Engine light kept coming on. Vehicle bucked when changing gears. Dealer stated vehicle was repaired. Vehicle still bucks and the light still comes on. Transmission slips and hesitates. *jg

Filed Sep 18, 2001 · Transmission · MI

Engine will not shift into high gear sometimes. Car will hesitate when shifting and sometimes the gear selecter says it is in gear but car will not move.

Filed Aug 30, 2001 · Acceleration, Electrical · KY

Vehicle can be in drive and moving, or in park and sitting still, the engine will begin to hesitate after running for 10-15 minutes. The dashboard instruments get extremely hot, the lighting will dim on its own. All electronics (I.e. Radio, air conditioning etc...) will fail. The car will then cut off without warning. Vehicle also lunges forward if in park or stopped while in drive, if it has been running for 10-15 minutes or more.

Filed Jul 20, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · MD

When this car is running more than 40minutes, the engine "bucks"/jerks/hesitates and is not responsive--as if it would stall but never does, 'though the dash "trouble" lights blink for 1/2 second each time. This was repeated 2-3 times at each of 5 seprate incidents. I had the engine checked with a scanner at my regular mechanic's place and the transmission checked at a reliable transmissions specialist. Nothing found. Various road tests could not reproduce this experience. I did replace the fuel filter. Other incidents occurred 6/21 about 15-min. Later after being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for 20 minutes on a 55-60mph route I always use. The 3rd incident was 7/6, accelerating after a full-stop intersection. 4th&5th were on 7/8 when driving @25-30mph, but driving for a while. I do notice after driving 15-20 minutes regularly, the automatic shift @between 35-40mph hesitates. I have been keeping my highest speeds down to 60mph or less, and usually driving no more than 1/2hr. Each trip. I'm afraid to take a long trip for fear the car will hesitate, lose power, or slow down in heavy expressway traffic. I am concerned for my safety.

Filed Aug 7, 2000 · Acceleration · NY

Accelerator hesitates to accelerate, jerks and sticks down.

Filed Oct 2, 1998 · Transmission · OH

Consumer experiencing transmission problem ; whenever vehicle is coasting and needs to accelerate, vehicle would hesitate before acceleratio. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that transmission / onboard computer was not programming incorrectly. Dealer put in another transmission, but problem still occurs. Dealer informed consumer nothing could be done.