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.
1999 Ford Taurus brakes complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 107, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
While driving my 1999 ford taurus to work on april 16th of this year, I noticed what appeared to be light colored smoke coming off my tailpipe as I sat at a stoplight. At the next stoplight, the smoke was more intense. At the same time, I noticed my brakes seemed spongy. When I got to work, I checked the underside of the car and discovered brake fluid was pouring over the exhaust pipe, just before the muffler and was burning off. Upon inspection of the vehicle at a local ford dealer, it was discovered that the brake lines leading back to the drums in the rear were severely corroded just in front of the left rear tire. One line had burst open and the second had a crack in it. This occurred simultaneously. Both systems were compromised at the same time. Had I continued to drive it, I would have lost all brake fluid and been left with no braking capability whatsoever. Further examination revealed similar corrosion just below the master cylinder near the left front wheel, although that had not been breached. The car is only 10 years old and had 65,000 miles on the odometer. It was regularly maintained exclusively at the ford dealer (westfield ford in countryside illinois). I traded the car in on a new model that day. After checking the internet, I became aware of numerous people with the same exact complaint. Although I no longer own the car, I am concerned this problem will surface with the thousands of taurus vehicle currently on the road. If my wife had been driving the car with our two children in it, she would have never noticed what was happening until it was too late. This is a disaster waiting to happen. I contacted ford customer care on 4/20/09 and met complete indifference. I was told my complaint would go on file and to have a nice day. If these brake lines were made with some type of defective steel and there are more models out there like mine, it is only a matter of time before they start rupturing and causing accidents with injuries or death occurring.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford taurus. On may 29, 2008, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. Brake fluid was leaking and burned the pavement in the contact's driveway. The vehicle was towed to an auto garage. The cause of the failure was determined to be brake line corrosion. The garage repaired the front and rear brake lines. The manufacturer is aware of the defect; however, they will not assist with the $285.12 repair cost. The failure mileage was 31,529 and current mileage is 31,869. Updated 7/3/08 *cn the corrosion was caused by water being trapped by a plastic guide that held the brake lines to the underside of the vehicle. Updated
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford taurus. The contact's wife attempted to stop the vehicle, but the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The contact placed brake fluid into the brake reservoir and depressed the brake pedal, in which it extended to the floor again. He inspected the undercarriage and noticed that the brake lines were corroded all the way through. In addition, all the fluid he added leaked onto the ground. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v075000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components). The current mileage was 57,456 and failure mileage was 57,445.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford taurus. While driving 30 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated and the stopping distance increased. The contact noticed rust on the rear brake line as well as brake fluid leaking. As of september 5, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 119,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford taurus. While driving 15 MPH the consumers daughter depressed the brakes and the vehicle failed to stop. She had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic and he stated that the brake lines were rusted. The failure and current mileages were 118,000. Updated 02-01-08. *kb the consumer stated the brake lines had rusted. Updated
My 1999 ford taurus brake line corroded and fell into pieces. This metal line should not have had this problem. The metal alloy in this line is at fault and should be recalled or warranty due to the severely dangerous outcome. My 16 year old pulled the car into the driveway when the line literally blew and all of the fluid blew out. It was a miracle that this did not occur any other time while driving because there is no pedal braking at all!
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.
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?
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.
My wife was pulling up to pick up for her prescription when she applied the brake it failed. Steel brake line failure. 18 foot of steel brake line was replaced.
Consumer felt a pop in the brakes on his 1999 ford taurus. Upon inspection mechanic determined that the brake line had failed due to corrosion and the passenger side also needed replacement. *kb
Total brake system failure I was driving the vehicle at medium speed, and pressed the brakes to slow down at the curve. To my horror the brake pedal went down all the way without slowing the car at all. There was no brake warning light. The brakes came back briefly after pressing a few times, but went off again at the next stop light. The car ran through a red light, but fortunately there was no cross traffic. I pulled over slowing it down and put it into park. We got the car towed to the nearest brakes repair shop. The mechanic has informed us that the cause is an "internal leak in the master cylinder".
On dec. 14, 2005, with 60,001 miles, the vehicles service (hydraulic) brake system failed. Fullerton ford of somerville, nj evaluated the vehicle, and found that a badly rusted steel brake fluid tube (which feeds fluid to the rear brakes) had ruptured. Given the cars low mileage, relatively young age and the fact that this type of failure could lead to a catastrophic accident, I feel it indicates substandard materials used in the cars manufacture and should require a recall and parts replacement at ford's expense.
Dt: the contact stated while driving on the highway she put foot on the brake pedal and it went to the floor. She put the vehicle in neutral and used the emergency brake to stop. The vehicle was then towed to a service station. The main brake assembly was being replaced.
Dt: the contact has a 1999 ford taurus and has had consistent problems with the car since it was bought new. She has been complaining for the last 48,000 miles for the same things. Most recently last week she took vehicle to the dealer for a leak in the master cylinder, which they repaired. . They cleaned the hubs. She had to push the brakes all the way to get the car to stop. They replaced brake booster, machined rotors, and put new brake pads on. At 1,700 miles had to take vehicle to dealer for a noise she from the brakes. They cleaned the hubs. At 22,466 brakes and serpentine belt were checked. They put a new serpentine belt on at 22,500 miles. Also, had multiple electrical problems with the car. 4 multifunction switches were replaced. In addition, a head lamp control switch was replaced at 17,000 mile, and a new radio put in.*ak the A/C had alo bee worked on twice.
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.
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?
I have a 1999 ford taurus I have the anti-break system (ABS). I have had the car for 5 years and never made any noise until the past week. I brought it into ford garage and they said it is common and don't worry. While driving I feel pulsation and vibration while breaking. When I do go speed above 10mph it stops. If I stop and turn the engine off and start again it again vibrates and pulsates. It it scary because you feel there is something wrong. They tell me it is common and in the manual. If it did this when I bought the car or anyone this model I don't think they would of sold a car. I feel ford should take care of this problem. They are aware of it.
Recall 04s17 parts are not available to fix car.was told in august 2004 the parts would be available in december 2004, in janyary 2005 got post card saying parts will be available in march 2005 it's now may 2005 and has not heard from manufacturer on parts.
A new oil pump was replaced and the engine was still knocking. Dealer stated that the lifters were bad. Also, brakes were replaced four times.
Various problems involving 1999 ford taurus station wagon.*mr the power steering made excessive noise, dealer replaced the steering rack. The vehicle front end was out of alignment. The check engine light illuminated intermittently. The dealer replaced several components to correct this occurrence. The technician removed and replaced #1 coil, replaced the spark plugs, cleared all the codes and then the vehicle ran fine. The front and rear brakes were replaced and the rotors machined. The temperature gauge malfunctioned. The technician replaced the freeze out plug and thermostat. Windshield washers failed. The vehicle steering wheel was loose. The technician indicated that the vehicle needed front and rear struts, sway bar links and rear subframe bushing. When accelerating the vehicle's transmission slipped and on cold start reverse jerks into gear, dealer replaced the trans unit. The d/s door rubber on the bottom of the door was coming off. D/s seat belt would not retract. Antifreeze was leaking in out the rear block.
When I brake at highway speed the steering wheel vibrates very bad. The rotors were replaced when the car was new. I am on my third set of brake pads and third set of tires in 80,000 miles. I have been told by mechanics that there was a problem with the rotors on my 99 ford taurus but ford refuses to acknowledge. This is a very dangerous situation because the sterring wheel almost jumps out of your hand.
While braking engine started racing at a high rate intermittently. Consumer hade to pump the brakes. This caused a minor collision. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
1999 ford taurus brake and rotor equipment.*mr the rotors warped after minimal use. The rotors and pads were replaced and experienced vibration when braking again about 4 weeks later.
While driving 60 MPH, the driver noticed that the ABS warning light came on and remained on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic can not duplicate the problem. *nm
My ford taurus ant-lock brake system light under the dash board while driving alternately flashes on and off sometimes while I am braking. While braking sometimes the anti-lock brakes doesn't work.
Brakes were applied while changing lanes and nothing happened, emergency brake had to be applied. *ph
Front brake rotor warp alot at lease a set a year transmission shifts rough at times steering is stift pulls to the left hard sometimes, think it might be something with the transaxle?
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