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2005 Ford Taurus electrical complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 28 of 28, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2005 Ford Taurus electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 100,000 miles · TX

My car accelerated starting at 30 MPH and kept climbing. I got it stopped with much effort in the middle of the road. When I restarted it, the engine raced uncontrollably. It was checked by my boyfriend (a auto service manager for 20 years) and found the cruise cable was loose but holding the accelerator. He disconnected the cable to the side and drove it ok. Then the cable slide back into place and it did it again. It you check the chat rooms you will find that many people have had the same problem!!!. The cost of repair has kept me from getting it repaired and the dealers refuse to even goodwill repair it, knowing that it was a common problem. I am afraid to drive the car, but it is the only vehicle I have.

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 45,000 miles · MI

I was on vacation driving up the coast of california and I noticed it was becoming increasingly difficult to brake my vehicle and my tachometer would not predictably fall as I let off the gas. It was subtle at first but then became more pronounced so I started shifting the car into neutral to see if it was the engine or something else. After putting it into neutral I noticed the car would not goes less than 2000 RPM on the tachometer. Then it became apparent that the car was accelerating independently of my input through the gas. I pulled into a parking lot and coasted in neutral, parked and shut off the engine. As I have some automotive mechanic experience, I figured something was wrong with the throttle linkage or something was stuck in the throttle plate. On inspection, I noticed the cruise control linkage and slid off. I then went to radioshack and bought some small zip ties and zip tied the linkage in place. It is to this day held in place with zip ties and I haven't had any problems since (108,000 miles currently). I saw that the federal safety agency was investigating these vehicles for the same complaints and thought I'd report my incident in hopes of helping others.

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 55,000 miles · OH

On several occasions, vehicle was trying to surge forward while at a stop sign. Engine was revving very high; had to press down really hard on the brakes to prevent vehicle from surging forward. Took it to ford dealer (bankston ford, fort worth tx) who said that the 'diagnosis of cruise control not working and purchase of a new cruise control cable.'. I paid $190.00' to the repair, but it still seems to occur sporadically.

Filed Feb 3, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 102,000 miles · VA

The car would speed up by itself from fault of throttle control assembly, alternator had to be replaced, windshield wiper hose assembly, the AC compressor had to be completely replaced, accumulator or receiver drier had to be replaced, as well as replacement of the compressor drive belt, evaporator orifice belt, serpentine belt tensioner, idler pulley, belt tensioner, on another recent occasion, the ford was idling high and when driving, would speed up to around 4000 to 4500 rpms, on its own replacement of gasket all spark plugs, valve assembly, and another kit 11794 to counter the revving engine and throttle. . Also the power steering was off in the car,and it could not maintain an alignment, as you drove the steering wheel would jerk and shake. Odd noises emanating from the left and right rear of the car resembling a wheel bearing also will probably result in further repairs. The work was done at mileage 85462. Today it is 102k and the ford keeps up with its seeming reputation of being "found on road dead"... Or "fix or repair daily". Today completed by a ford dealer and a military shop, the torque converter is broken. The car will start and rev, but when placed in drive or reverse it will not engage and remains in place.

Filed Jan 11, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 89,000 miles · CA

I attempted to start my car, the engine will not turn over, there is a clicking noise under the dash, and all the interior, exterior and dash lights flash.

Filed Nov 29, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 132,400 miles · NY

Stopped at light, car started to rev RPM's. Could not hold on brakes enough to stop moving. Went through red light around two cars as speed reached about 70mph. Both feet on brakes, could smell them burning, got to side of road and slammed into park and turned car off. Wow, the scariest thing I have ever experienced. If there was heavy traffic someone would have been killed, no doubt in my mind .happened on thruway two weeks earlier, only lasted a minute, thought the mat was stuck, it was not. Called ford and they could not help as there is no recall. Took it to ford dealer, they disconnect crusie cable. Don't know if this was really the problem, just got it back. I am very fearful to drive it, because you never know when it will do it again. Please someone make ford wake up about this problem before someone is killed. I wouldn't feel right trading it in, for fear of someone else getting killed.

Filed Nov 27, 2011 · Body, Electrical · 75,000 miles · MI

I have a 2005 ford taurus. Whenever there is moderate to heavy rainfall, water leaks into the passenger side under the dash, soaking the floor and the blower motor will not work. While driving the windshield fogs over and I cannot get the blower to turn on, causing visibility issues while driving on the road. This is happening to a lot of people, this should be investigated and a recall issued.

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · NH · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 ford taurus. The contact stated that after experiencing a problem with the windshield wipers, she realized that smoke was being emitted from under the wipers. In addition, all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel and the contact experienced a difficult time trying to stop the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, the engine exploded and the vehicle engulfed into flames. The fire department appeared on the scene, but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 85,000. Updated 08/31/11*lj the consumer stated the windshield wipers began acting a erratic a week prior. Prior to the fire, the gas and brake pedal became hard and the engine light illuminated. Updated 09/12/11

Filed May 13, 2011 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · NY

While driving down an interstate at approximately 65 MPH, the electrical system in my 2005 ford taurus shut off. All of the gauges went dead. The car did not stall, but I slowly started decelerating the car. Five seconds later, the system suddenly restarted like nothing had happened. I called the local ford dealer where the car was purchased and they stated that if they can't reproduce the incident, there's nothing they can do about it. The car has approximately 102,000 miles on it.

Filed Feb 4, 2011 · Electrical · 107,000 miles · RI · fire

Tl*the contact owned a 2005 ford taurus. Upon starting the vehicle the contact began to smell a burning odor and noticed smoke underneath the dashboard. The vehicle was shut off. The contact opened the hood and observed that everything under the hood was on fire. The police and fire department appeared on the scene to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent repair shop where they were in the process of diagnosing the failure. The failure and current mileage was 107,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 76,758 miles · NJ

I was driving off a heavy traveled roadway, turning a exit ramp suddenly my 2005 taurus wagon suddenly accelerated without me placing my foot on the gas pedal. I had to slow the car down, putting it in neutral, hopping the car would stop. I nearly ran into the car in front of me and the car stopped. In discussing this with several family members in the family, they too experienced the same thing with the car quickly accelerating on its own. Several weeks ago I attended a seminar in atlantic city, it began to snow and I traveled approximately 50 miles home in the ice and snow. I am surely glad that the car did not accelerate on its own at that time. A very serious safety feature. Someone could have been killed. *tr updated 11/01/11

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 19,878 miles · WI

2005 ford taurus with a sticking accelerator pedal, or the cruise control engaging when not turned on. *kb the consumer stated the vehicle would go from 45 MPH to 70 MPH in less than 1/4 of a mile without applying the accelerator. The right rear strut, alternator and starter all had to be replaced.

Filed Nov 14, 2008 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford taurus. The contact stated that the instrument panel indicators constantly flash. In addition, the speedometer and tachometer work intermittently, and the vehicle starts intermittently. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and they stated that the computer needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Oct 3, 2008 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · 00 · fire

An electrical fire started in the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel in my 2005 ford taurus car on monday september 29, 2008 at 6:30am. Within 5 minutes of smelling the smoke my entire car burned to the ground. I complained to ford about this happening and they were not willing to do anything. They do not stand behind their vehicles at all. The worst part is that I still have 12 months of payments on the car and they still want their money. Ford vehicles are so out of favor with the public that the insurance company is only offering me $8000.00 for the car and I paid $30,000.00 in 2005 for it. This leaves me with insufficient funds to buy another 2005 full size sedan. Ford has indicated that I did not miss any recalls. I am not sure if there are others out there with similar complaints...

Filed Aug 4, 2008 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · WV

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford taurus. Whenever the contact attempts to use the cigarette lighter, she can hear the fuses popping under the dashboard of the vehicle. The contact did not notice any difference in the vehicle prior to the failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 61,405 and failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 09/10/08. *lj updated 09/11/08,

Filed May 12, 2008 · Electrical · 43,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford taurus. The contact plugged an air pump into the cigarette lighter of the vehicle and the wiring underneath the dashboard caught fire. By the time the fire department arrived, the fire had extinguished itself. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer; therefore, he does not know the cause of the failure. Currently, the engine does not start. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 43,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2007 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · NY

Replaced battery in 2005 ford taurus. Prior to this the automobile ran without problems. After having the battery replaced, the car stalled in traffic without warning. The car shifted very erratically. It stalled on me at 45 MPH. Very scary.

Filed May 6, 2007 · Electrical, Transmission · NY

I have issues with this car when the temperature falls between 20 and 35 degrees with a coating of slush or snow from 1/4 of an inch up to 5 inches. The vehicle needs to be traveling at 40 to 65 MPH and usually on a straight away such as the thruway. Sometimes when this car has issues I get a thump from the rear axle and the vehicle shifts very hard between 3rd and 4th gear. It's an automatic transmission.. In these weather conditions the vehicle will buck or surge and feels like the mechanical or electrical system is going to quit functioning.

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