2001 Ford Taurus: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 9, 2007 · Transmission · 107,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford taurus. When the contact started the vehicle, it jerked when the engine was cold. He stated that when he places the vehicle in drive, it accelerates too quickly. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that all of the vehicles of that year, make, and model start in that manner. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 107,000. Updated 11/06/07

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Brakes · 16,000 miles · FL

Dt: the contact stated that when applying the brake they jerked and squeaked intermittently. At times when the brakes were applied they almost went to the floor. Dealer said they could not find the cause of the problem. Once the dealer drove vehicle it jerked. Manufacturer took the contact's complaint, and told her they could not duplicate the problem, and could not offer any help at their expense. She was not sure if it was the front or rear brakes.

Filed Feb 10, 2004 · Transmission · KY

I have, on several occasions taken my car to the dealership for check engine light, engine running roughly, and transmission problems. Each time the check engine light has been taken care of by installing a different type of sensor (which happens to never be covered under the so-called extended warranty I purchased). The transmission problem, on the other hand, is a problem that has yet to be rectified yet remains a problem. For example, when turning out onto the highway from a stopped position, car will accelerate properly at first but then RPM's will build and transmission will violently jerk after the increase in RPM's. This has also happened on several occasions during high-speed (55-75) driving conditions. Of course, the dealers (yes, I've had it at two dealers) have never found anything wrong with the transmission even though I have had an independent transmission repair person change the fluid and filter and inform me that there was a film in the fluid indicating a wearing problem within the transmission.

Filed Aug 15, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 15,500 miles · WV

Problems with 2001 ford taurus brake rotors.*mr the front end vibrated and the brake rotors were replaced numerous times, however the problem still existed. Ford was ordered to repair all repairs but they only turned the rotors. *ph also the passenger window dragged, the lights dimmed when the radio or heater was on, and also the transmission jerked at times and there was a vibration in the front of the vehicle, the mechanic stated it was due to tire wear.

Filed Jul 24, 2003 · Engine · FL

When at a stop vehicle still will move slightly and jerk the brakes wasn't right. The car was sent to the dealer ship twice after and they couldn't find the cause after talking to the service director the brakes are better now. *ak

Filed Oct 15, 2002 · Transmission · TX

Consumer states transmission jerks in and out of gear while driving. Mr

Filed Aug 2, 2002 · Acceleration, Transmission · NC

While merging onto highway transmission lurches forward and does not allow gears to shift properly. Consumer stated was not able to accelerate, and was almost was hit from the rear.

Filed Apr 25, 2002 · Transmission · CA

Transmission would not change gears properly, causing vehicle to jerk. Once vehicle shifts into proper gear, there is a clunking noise present. Driver checked under vehicle, and oil was leaking. Dealer said trans axle was not lubricating wheel and driveshaft caused the noise.

Filed Apr 4, 2002 · Acceleration · MD

Vehicle lurches and revs at high speed when brakes are depressed at low speed or when brakes are applied when attempting to shift from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, consumer is able to stop vehicle when shifting to park and turning off the ignition.*ak

Filed Dec 31, 2001 · Transmission · IN

When parked on inclines & shifting from park to reverse or drive transmission jerks & clanks very bad!deallership said that is normal for the ford taurus I find this hard to beleive.

Filed Sep 1, 2000 · Acceleration · OH

On three occasions, although I didn't realize it at the time, while braking to stop, I was also accelerating causing the car to lurch forward. The harder a pressed on the brake the greater the accelleration. As I said, I had no idea my right foot was on both pedals at the same time. I had the car towed back to clarke ford for their inspection. They performed that inspection on 8/21 and reported no apparent problems. I returned to the dealership that evening to pick up the vehicle. The salesman and I took a test drive to see if I could replicate what I had experieced on the 19th. Couldn't do it so I drove my other vehicle home and the salesman followed me home in the new vehicle. The salesman drove me back to the dealership and as he proceded into a parking space he braked to stop the car but at the same time the car wanted to accelerate just as had happened to me on three occassions. The startled salesman exclaimed "is that what happened to you" and he looked down at his which was on both the brake and the accelerator. Mystery solved. This had never happened with any other vehicle I have owned or leased in 43 years of driving. I inspected the position of the brake and accelerator pedals in my other two cars and a couple of co-workers cars and discovered that the distances, both depth and width, on the new taurus were much closer than the other vehicles. On the new taurus, I can depress the brake with my hand and it will desend to a level lower than the accelerator. I could not do this in the other vehicles, even by using my foot to brake. The brake pedal never got to the level of the accelerator. I believe the ford new design, which is a power adjustable brake and accelerator pedal bar to accomodate short statured people, could be a defect which could cause serious accidents, similar to those that occured in the jeep a number of years ago.