1998 Ford Taurus: complete transmission failure

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Transmission · 187,000 miles · MT

Dt: 1998 ford taurus. The consumer states the speed sensor goes out. The vehicle will down shift while going 70 MPH. This happens at all speeds. The vehicle has been to the dealership, they insist it is an owner's problem, not a vehicle problem. They indicate the vehicle needs a new transmission. He has had all of the sensors replaced and the vehicle still behaves poorly. This problem started two weeks ago on august 1, 2005. The vehicle is currently at a local mechanic. Ford refuses to do anything other than replace the transmission or give the consumer $500 for the vehicle.

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 Jan 2, 2003 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · PA

1998 ford taurus transmission failure

Filed Aug 7, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · CA

I bought the 1998 ford taurus used but in good shape,at 70,000 the complete exhaust system failed the dealer fixed it but 5 more thousand miles and it would have cost over 1000.00 dollars.on july 31 2002 the car had a complete transmission failure including all the components that connect it to the engine.I take very good car of my cars because I live in a rural area with the nearest city of any size 45 miles away.the miles might sound like alot but they are all easy highway miles.I contacted the local dealer but they said it was out of waranty and said it would cost over 3500.00 to fix,I had it worked on in a shop in reno nv and they informed me that the damage was not normal wear and tear and they work on hundreds of transmissions on ford car. After doing some research it is a ongoing problem with many ford's with the 3.0l and 3.8l v-6 engines.it seems wrong for a relatively new car that I am still paying on to have this king of major problem and ford need's to come clean that thier is a major design flaw. P.s I am also having problems with my 2001 ford winstar's transmission too

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 30, 2001 · Transmission · AK

I puchase this program car with 19,089 , it came with the original factory of 36/36,000 mi. Warranty. I also purchased an extended warranty of 72 months of 60,000 miles. About 500 miles after I first pickup my car the transmission started slipping, I took it to the dealership and they found nothing wrong with it when they put it on their computer. Then they tried to move it. The transmission had completely burned up, and had to be rebuilt. The next time the transmission started having trouble, was on aug 28, 2001, at 55,000 miles. The car started experiencing periods where it wouldn't engage, had extended shifts, or shift harshly. When I took it to the local ford dealership, I was told that the transmission need to be replaced, this is 36,311 miles after the first transmission was replaced. When I asked ford are they going to extend this warranty beyond the 12/12000 they told me there is no need. I check another website http://www.autosafety.org and found out that geartrain meltdown, and cracks in the foward clutch piston, has plague ford taurus's since 1986.

Filed Jul 5, 2001 · Transmission · IN

Vehicle having shifting problems. Vehicle transmission failed while in the middle of an intersection. Transmission failed due to electronic failure. Mechanic stated due to defect. From manufactuer.

Filed Jan 29, 2001 · Transmission, Visibility · NY

While driving in rain windshield wipers stopped working. Took vehicle to dealer who informed consumer that windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. Part not available due to ford changing design, trying to get part. *ak transmission failed.

Filed Mar 21, 2000 · Lights, Locks · OH

1. Need complete new transmission, 2nd gear burned up with only normal wear and tear. 2. Doon and door ajar lights won't go off, interior panal lights won't come on and I get shocked every time I close the door after exiting. 3. Gear shift column broke while car was in park shifting to drive.

Filed Oct 13, 1998 · Transmission · MD

While driving 20 MPH the front wheels locked up,causing the vehicle to go into a intermittent skid. In addition, dealer replaced the transmission cooling lines which did not remedy the problem. Please give any further details.