I have a 1999 ford taurus. When the windshield wiper switch is off, sometimes the windshield wipers will come on for no reason. Sometimes this is just once then it will stop. Sometimes it is several times in a row then it will stop. It is most prevalent during the summer, or on hotter days. Although, it has even happened in cold weather. I notice that others have complained about this same problem, but as yet it appears that there is no recall on this apparent defect in the design by ford. It is clear to me that the switch tolerances do not adequately take account of expansion and contraction over the operating temperature ranges of the vehicle. The problems I describe above have been observed in sacramento, ca, which is not the worst place in the u.s. For severe temperature changes between seasons. Hence, if it doesn't work in california, it probably will be a problem in more severe climate changes also. His problem occurs several times a week during the summer. Ford really should do the right thing and do a recall on this issue. I am an engineer and this is clearly a design defect. If the windshield wipers were to fail to work due to this problem during inclement weather, this defect could be dangerous.
1999 Ford Taurus visibility complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 59, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Driving down the road the winshield wipers fail at times or come on by them selves, espcially when turning nothing has been done yet to correct failure
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.
Windshield wipers turn on without using the switch.
The dome light would come on and go off intermittently, and the alternator was replaced on 3 separate occasions. *ak the door locks would go up and down and would come on intermittently. The problem was diagnosed as a leaking windshield. *sc
Windshield wipers come on for intermittently for no apparent reason. Estimated cost of parts is around $150.00. I am afraid the whole switch system will go out due to excessive use and unnecessary use. This could be a potential hazard if they go out during inclimate weather.
Heater core had to be replaced. Dealer stated that it became clogged because of sludge buildup.
Coolant system needed to be flushed out on a yearly basis. If not flushed, would have sludge build up in the heater core. As a result, heater core would become plugged and would not operate properly.
1999 ford taurus is suffering from electrical problems. *mr the vehicle would shut off with no warning, the locks on both doors were off and would have to be played with to get them to open at times, the headlights were inoperative, also the dash lights were inoperative behind the gas gauge/radio/heating/AC/clock/and speedometer, the RPM gauge was delayed at start, the passenger door made noises when opened and closed, the wipers were intermittent, the turn signals were intermittent, the brake light had come on, the vehicle would not start in the morning but would start at night, the vehicle was sluggish and had poor gas mileage. The vehicle was taken in due to defective relays which were replaced. The VIN# on the vehicle and the VIN# on the sticker were different. *scc
The windshield wipers activate while the switch is in the off position.
Re: 1999 ford taurus: VIN # [xxx] my wife and I purchased a 1999 ford taurus from north point ford in north little rock, arkansas, on feb. 16, 2001. Since november 2002, we have had the car at two ford dealerships and three independent repair shops trying to get the heater fixed. So far it has cost us $1,324.21. During the most recent repair, north point ford took apart the entire coolant system, flushed each component and found rust in the engine block, which they said was the source of the problem. At present, the heater is working, but we feel we are due reimbursement for the repairs. The car was still under the manufacturer's warranty when we bought it with 29,891 miles. (the contract states 28,890 as the dealer denied our request to list the correct mileage.) we purchased an extended "bumper to bumper" warranty at a cost of $1,733 at north point ford. The big selling point was the warranty would cover all major repairs such as the air conditioner/heater system. The warranty is handled through warrantech automotive, p.o. Box 1179, bedford, tx 76095. The contract # is 14747754; the contract plan code is cv60100ukd; the selling dealer code is 718688 and the local agent code is 183. However, the warranty company has paid very little toward the repairs, claiming they are "maintenance." I have located service bulletins on the internet. Among them is #01-15-6 "heater core - repeated failure" and #01-11-6 "cooling system - corrosion/contamination/overheating." we were also told that on the 1999 tauruses, ford sent the vehicles from the factory with a highly corrosive coolant. This would explain the service bulletins on the heater core failure and coolant system corrosion. [xxx] from the ford executive offices called aug. 5 to say ford is unwilling to help and I must take up the fight with the warranty company.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The heater core leaked previously and was replaced in 08/02. The heater core leaked again and caused fumes to enter passenger cabin.*ak ph
Heater core was previously leaking and was replaced in 08/02. Heater core is now leaking again causing fumes to enter passenger cabin.
The windshield wipers become inoperative while in use and obstructed the drivers view. The dealer was notified.
While driving in the rain the windshield wipers malfunctioned. The windshield wiper motor was replaced and now the wipers come on by themselves. *nlm
Purchased '99 ford taurus from hertz dealership in july 2000. After a couple of months the windshield wipers would constantly come on when in the off position. Sometimes occurs right after signal has been used but not always. Will occur at random. When taken back to hertz dealership, mechanic informed me that it is a known ford manufacturing defect and must be fixed by them. When I contacted the ford dealership, they stated they would only fix the defect without charge if the mileage was under 30,000. At the time, my mileage was approximately 29,995. Constant attempts to have problem resolved by ford have been unsuccessful. Ford dealership stated that problem with the wiring was not supposed to be on ford cars but only on vans and trucks. Request any assistance in resolving this matter since the defect is a ford factory defect that should have been addressed to ford owners by ford without penalty. Should be handled without cost to loyal ford owners.
The headlights failed while driving.*jb. The blower motor also failed.
Windshield wipers come on intermittently when turned off, also stop when in use. Ts
Problems with car since day one. Began with wipers turning on by themselves, spoke to mechanic, said it was nothing to worry about. Then the car kept refusing to switch gears (second to third), the speedometer would quit and car died on side of road several times. Along with this problem, the brakes squealed very loud. Called dealer, would not help, sent me to ford dealer (dave goulds). Replaced speed sensor, scraped "rust" off brakes and said they may continue to squeal, they do! The car picks up speed from no where, specially when coming from a stop. Very scarey, refuse to let my daughter drive because of it. Now the power steering is making a horrible hum and I have lost power steering on several occaisions. Added fluid, the next day it looked like cocoa bubbling out. I contacted the gould ford dealership and I have to bring it in tomorrow. I am afraid to drive it and he tells me that my extended warranty most likely won't cover the repair (they didn't cover the speed sensor either). I bought this car at a local company after a severe accident, it was traumatizing to get back behind the wheel, but this car is like a rolling death trap, why isn't ford recalling them? Mr
Consumer states while driving and running air conditioning or heater and strong "petroleum" type smell emits from the vents. Consumer advised that it does not smell like exhaust fumes. Nlm
The windshield wiper comes on intermittenley. The dealership is aware of the problem. Nlm
While driving along vehicle would just shut down, losing power. Intermittently windshield wipers would move and other electrical functions failed. Vehicle has had four alternators replaced, and vehicle was twice left stranded on side of road. Please describe details.
Consumer pulled onto highway and power steering failed. Vehicle was checked by dealer who determined that rack and pinion system had failed, the entire system needed to be replaced. *ak. Consumer stated 2 days later the alternator failed, and the windshield wipers came on by themselves.
A bubble has developed on front windshield and spreading. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Consumer started to smell antifreeze. Then found out that heater core was gone. She was told that there were repeated failures with these parts.
Lights will come on, and windshield wipers will come on without prior warning. Also, door light and dome light come on. Dealership is aware of problem.
Whenever driving vehicle in middle of traffic windshield wipers would come on by themselves and intermittently. This would cause drivers view to be obstructed. Had taken vehicle to dealer, and was informed vehicle not included in recall, but problem could be repaired.*ak
While driving in inclement weather windshield wipers operate intermittently, -stopping on its own in the on position and/or starting on its own when in the off position, reducing visibility for driver. No determination has been made for the cause of this problem. *ak
The vehicle had smelly exhaust.
The windshield wiper/washer controls will start the blades moving for no appearant reason. Contacted the dealership, they said it is a known problem but we have to pay for the repair. The problem is in the control switch assembly whichis also the assembly for the turn signals and the head light hi/lo beam controls. Estimated price of repair for this known problem is >$150. If this is a known problem, then some form of recall should be in order.
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