1999 Ford Taurus: brake failure

Filed Aug 15, 2013 · Brakes · 155,000 miles · MI

Hit the brakes hard when the person in front of me slammed on his brakes on the expressway and immediately noticed softness in the pedal vastly developing into 98 % loss of braking capacity. Afterwards, noticed leak in one of brake lines running along the left side underbody about midway. Approximately 4-6 months later the same scenario repeated itself with respect to the other brakeline running along the left side. Two weeks ago, the rear brakeline connecting the proportioning valve with the right rear brake hose sprung a leak resulting in loss of braking capabilities. All of these lines ruptured due to rust and or corrosion.

Filed Sep 12, 2010 · Brakes · 185,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

My brake pedal went all the way to the floor board, and I could not stop so I crashed into the car in front of me and it in turn crashed into the car in front of it.

Filed Aug 13, 2009 · Brakes · 78,280 miles · OR

Total brake failure: having worked on cars for 40+ years and owned many vehicles over the years, it was a surprise to suffer total brake failure without ever having the brake light indicate a failure. For as long as I can remember, all my vehicles had a primary and secondary brake circuit with a pressure differential switch that would latch and light the brake warning light. On several occasions a partial brake failure was caught by the warning light. Master cylinder replacement was performed quickly as driving with one circuit is dangerous. The 1999 ford taurus has no brake pressure differential switch, no kidding! If one does not make panic stops as a regular part of driving, it is easier than one would think to have a partial failure go undetected (despite that there must have been extra pedal travel). When the second circuit fails the result is total brake failure without warning. In my opinion, this is criminal negligence, the same type of thinking as the ford pinto fuel tank. Forget the cup holder, spend the money on the safety switch!!! I shudder to think of people seriously injured due to this missing switch.

Filed Aug 9, 2009 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · CT

Loss of braking due to rear brake lines corroding and resulting fluid loss. An internet search indicates this is a very common problem with ford tauruses of this era. Failure occurred near the rear of the driver's door. Car is awaiting repair.

Filed Mar 7, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · 97,000 miles · AK

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling high. This confirmed that the cruise control was off. The contact engaged the brakes. However, the high idle continued to occur. When the contact attempted to stop the vehicle stalled and the brakes failed. The current and failure mileage was 97,000 miles.

Filed Feb 11, 2007 · Brakes · 114,000 miles · MA

We had a total brake failure on our 1999 ford taurus, we drove out of our drive way going to the mail box and when we hit the brakes the brake failure light came on as the brakes went to the floor and the car coasted to a stop. If we had been going faster it would have been very serious. The problem was that the brake line to the back brakes split and leaked all the fluid which LED to the failure, are these cars supposed to have a back up systems?

Filed Jan 21, 2007 · Brakes · 46,200 miles · NH

My wife recently experienced a total brake failure on my 99 taurus wagon (46k miles). She was starting out of her parking space so there was no collision. This should not have happened as this vehicle has a dual diagonal system for safety. Unfortunately the diagonal part is what did it in as the two lines running to the rear wheels were run together and both rotted out simultaneously.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Brakes · 66,000 miles · NC

Dt: the brake lines tubing rusted from the outside. The brake line failed and the consumer lost braking ability. Had to take a section out. Talked to dealer, they said nothing they could do. This happened on august 26, 2005. Was pulling it into the shed changed the oil and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. *ak the tube assembly was replaced (f8dz-2c287/aa, f6dz-2l568/aa, f8dz-26569/aa). The consumer had the factory parts replaced to prevent further failure. The consumer still has the old part in his possession.

Filed Jun 17, 2005 · Brakes · 98,908 miles · SC

Consumer was driving down a country road in a 1999 ford taurus station wagon when the brakes failed with no warning and the pedal went to the floor. Fortunately, consumer was able to coast to a stop with no damage and safely exit the vehicle. The following day the vehicle was driven (using the emergency brake) to the dealer who subsequently determined that the steel tubing of the brake line had rusted through, causing the failure. Having never heard of such a failure in three decades of being involved with automotive repair in a northern climate with salted roads, and in view of the fact that this vehicle spent only a few years in a northern climate prior to moving to a snow-free area, consumer requested and was given the failed brake lines as evidence (still available). Replacing the brake lines cost over $100 in parts and supplies and over $360 in labor, for a total bill of $471.18. A subsequent search of the federal safety agency database revealed other complaints about this same problem with the taurus (see odi #10117988 and #10124628) with no investigation initiated by either ford or the federal safety agency. Evidently investigations do not happen unless there is a fire, death, injury, etc., and these complaints involved: a taurus that had already exited a highway; one in a mcdonald's drive-thru; and this one on an isolated road. It seems incredible that no action is taken on such an obvious material design defect that can result in a sudden loss of braking with absolutely no warning. What does it take to get the federal safety agency's attention?

Filed Oct 3, 2004 · Suspension · 63,571 miles · DC

Consumer had to pump brakes to stop, brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Sway bar link snapped cutting the rubber brake hose and resulted in brake failure.

Filed Sep 24, 2002 · Brakes · NE · crash

While pulling into garage at idle speed consumer applied brake. The pedal went to the floor and vehicle hit the wall of garage. Vehicle has not been examined by dealer. Damage to vehicle and garage unknown at this time. No injuries. Nlm

Filed Apr 20, 2001 · Brakes · VA · crash · 1 injury

While driving at 40-45 MPH, applied brakes and vehicle did not stop , pedal felt normal, rearended another vehicle, minor damage to vehicle. Mechaic found rear brakes locked up. *ak the brakes failed with only 30000 miles of normal driving.