1998 Ford Taurus: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 15, 2014 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns 1998 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle made a jerking motion and failed to accelerate properly. The failure recurred multiple times and at various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

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 May 21, 2007 · Transmission · 116,000 miles · AZ

Jerking, doesn't want to go, felt like fuel filter, but think its transmission.

Filed Dec 9, 2003 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · AL

While travelling to work on friday morning, december 5, I had just accessed interstate 65 north and had travelled on it for approximately 2 miles. I had reached my normal cruising speed of 80 MPH when I began to cross the bridge over the tennessee river. On the downside of the bridge, I had no warning when all of a sudden my transmission ceased to function. Due to the speed I was travelling, I was able to coast until I exited the bridge. After approximately 1/4 a mile, I safely pulled the vehicle over into the emergency lane and came to a stop. I proceeded to check all the gears to determine if the transmission had completely failed. Unfortunately, it had. There was absolutely no warning to the transmission failure. There was no noise, no jerk, no anything. The vehicle has approximately 135,000 miles on it, and I ensure that routine service is performed on it. Twelve months prior, I had the transmission completely serviced. This complete failure came as a surprise to me as no warning signs were evident. Today, I am having to shell out $1600 for a complete overhaul of the transmission system. The company I have performing the repairs is known to be very reputible and told me that a great deal of damage had occurred within the transmission at or just prior to the actual failure. I was shocked when I found out today that others have experienced very similar situations. It appears that there is indeed a flaw in the ford taurus transmission system.

Filed Jun 25, 2003 · Transmission · VA

Today, while driving at about 55 MPH on rte 1, my 1998 ford taurus wagon suddenly starting to shake violently as loud noises like bottoming out on several boulders emanated from beneath the car. The engine continued to run smoothly and the A/C pumped out cool air, but when the car came to rest at a stop light it did not move forward until the RPM got quite high and only then at a very slow, herky, jerky pace. The car smoothed out at around 25-30 MPH, but the problem got progressively worse. I noticed blue-gray smoke coming from the rear of the car and parked the car in a relatively safe place. I noticed liquid dripping from beneath the car near the rear of the oil pan. My husband checked on the car on his way home from work to ascertain that the liquid is transmission fluid. Without humor I recalled a woman telling me just two weeks ago that she had a car just like mine that she had to replace the transmission in recently, and I told her at the time that my car was running fine. This failure occurred without any warning. It was fortunate that I was on rte 1 and not on I-95, and in the day time on a hot sunny day and not on a cold, wet night.

Filed Jun 12, 2002 · Engine · DC

While driving vehicle will jerk and than stall out.

Filed Apr 16, 2002 · Brakes · RI

During normal braking vehicle jerks and pulsates, dealer states drums needed to be replaced.

Filed Nov 20, 2001 · Lights · LA

First the interior light stayed on for hours. We were in the act of moving to la. I called the1-800 number in owner's manual. Was told problem used to exist with mercury but not with taurus. Are not the two cars the same, except for the namesassigned to them? At any rate,I was told to pull out bulb or get to panel for fuse. I pulled out bulb. Then the turbo component in engine gave out after I arrived in la. Aamco had to tow it away because, at best, it lurched forward or backward a few feet. Aamco replaced turbo unit for 1400.00 they replaced bulb interior. Within a week the old problem started again. The light would not go off, the doors would not automatically lock, and another problem stared--the symbol for a door not closed would stay on. No matter if I re-re-re- closed the doors. I took it back to aamco. They said to take it to a shop that specialized in this problem. Well, I'd like to know if the dealer here is supposed to fix the problems at no cost. I'm guessing --not --because there is no recall. At any rate, I did not take the car in because I did/do not have the money. The problem with the light and symbol went away, but a new problem has developed. The antenna will not go down. Thanks for reading this.

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 Nov 2, 2000 · Transmission · MI

Transmission does not shift smoothly / jerks forward when placed in park / skips gears.

Filed Aug 7, 2000 · Acceleration · NY

Accelerator hesitates to accelerate, jerks and sticks down.

Filed Mar 24, 2000 · Acceleration · MA

Car accelerates all on its on, including going uphill without even touching the gas pedal car will travel between 30 and 40 MPH. When placed in park car races at between 3500 and 4500 rpms and has to be shut off. Placing the car in neutral does not eliminate the problem. Have had car at the dealer twice and they couldn't find or couldn't be bother to find problem. Requires excessive brake use and sometimes still lurches forward with four wheel antilock brakes applied. Have notified ford motor company and they sent me a questionnaire!! This has been going on now for 5 months without resolution and it is inevitable that an accident is surely to occur.