2011 Ford Taurus: engine failure

Filed Mar 12, 2024 · Engine · 105,213 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty water pump causing coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer twice, and the engine was replaced for the second and third time. The failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to Colorado Auto Finders (12351 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80112), where the ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to two separate independent mechanics, who diagnosed the vehicle with DTC Codes: P0300, P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected), and P0306 (Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was 105,213.

Filed Jul 14, 2021 · Engine · PA

Attempted to start vehicle in driveway. Without warning, experienced a catastrophic failure of the water pump/engine cooling system. The failure caused the engine crankcase to fill with coolant and caused the vehicle crankshaft bearings to disintegrate into the oil leaving a silvery sludge. Upon taking vehicle to repair center, recommendation was to replace the entire engine since apparently the failure caused unrepairable internal damage to the engine. I have see other complaints about this where the failure happened while the vehicle was being driven and could have caused a very severe dangerous accident to occur as a result of the engine failure. Ford should be ashamed of the quality and workmanship in this motor since it appears to be a common an recurring problem.

Filed Sep 17, 2018 · Engine · 125,000 miles · PA

Vehicle in motion, temperature gauge begins rising rapidly, in less than a minute at top of scale....pulled to side of highway, restarted to move over further.....all lights lit up and steam coming from inside engine. Water pump failed without warning and dumped coolant in engine which destroyed bearings. Catastrophic engine failure with no warning

Filed Aug 10, 2018 · Engine · 129,000 miles · NC

I have a 2011 ford taurus sel that has less than 130,000 miles on it that has experienced a total engine failure. It started with a coolant leak which caused the car to overheat. I noticed the smell of coolant. After a week or so, the vehicle began making some noises. At that time, I was driving the vehicle and the vehicle started making a very loud noise, the temperature gauge came on and the vehical was overheating and the oil light also came on, keeping in mind that I had just changed the oil. Also, when the oil was changed, it was noticed that there was some other fluid in the oil (now after seeing all the other issues, realizing it was the coolant that had leaked in the engine causing the engine failure) all of a sudden, I experienced total engine failure while driving. The car shut off, I lost power steering and the car began smoking very heavily. I believed the car was on fire. It seems as though this issue has not only happened to my car but also many other taurus's as well. This is a very dangerous situation, as my car stalled out in the middle of traffic with a loss of all maneuverability.

Filed Jul 3, 2018 · Steering · 101,400 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford taurus. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to junge ford north liberty (525 madison ave, north liberty, ia 52317, 319‑626‑9500) where it was diagnosed that the steering pump and the steering gear needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 101,400. *tt

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Engine · 103,100 miles · WA

I was driving home from work, traveling uphill when my 2011 taurus sho sputtered and quickly lost power for more than 5 sec. While I was accelerating. This is not the first time something like this has happened to me. I am glad there wasn't anyone driving behind me because I'm sure they would have rear-ended me. Once I regained control of my vehicle, I noticed my check engine light came on. The car was shaking and sputtering as it was trying to make it up the rest of the hill. The check engine light started to blink. By the time I made it to the top of the hill the vehicle seemed better but I knew from experience it was in limp mode. I made it home safely driving as carefully as I could. I did notice the car shook much more when I slowed down to stop for stop-signs, almost like it was going to stall. I even ran a couple signs because I wanted to make it home, safely. I called the dealership gus johnson ford immediately to schedule an appointment. I took it in, my service advisor called me days later and said he advised I put a whole new engine in my car. Cylinder #4 misfiring, found leak that is causing low compression. He said they could tear apart the motor and inspect further but doing a complete engine assembly could cost upwards around $10,000. I was paralyzed! I found other stories and complaints just like mine when I came here to the federal safety agency. If ford was, or still is aware of any defects to the engine through manufacturing or bad design that may cause loss of power, shaking, shuddering, sputtering, stalling, loss-of-power during acceleration, they should be held responsible before someone is seriously injured.

Filed Feb 6, 2017 · Engine · 88,000 miles · TN

I had a internal water pump failure filling the engine with coolant. This resulted in a engine hydro lock condition (luckily I was able limp a very rough running car in the emergency lane at 15mph to a nearby exit). Happened friday evening feb 3rd 2017 on a cold 27 degree evening. I was stranded north of nashville, tn on i65. This is a very very bad design flaw. I am mechanically inclined and most cars have external water pumps -- except this one. Not just the taurus, but all 3.5 (and 3.7) motors have a internal water pump design; driven off the overhead cam chain. When it fails, it fails big, dumping all coolant (several gallons) into the crankcase. End result: is a high potential for engine failure as all components including in my case the eco boost turbos submerged in coolant / antifreeze. Learning now it may be $8-9k for a new motor. Besides this expense is to know this engine will hydro lock with all the coolant in it and cannot be easily driven to a safe location seems very very dangerous to me. If the exit were not less than a 1/2 mile away I would have been stuck. No one wants to be on a dark freeway for 1-2 hours waiting for a tow truck on a cold friday night. All is takes is one person from behind to slip off into the emergency lane and then it's all over.

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · Engine · 108,000 miles · KY

Catastrophic water pump failure leaked a lot of coolant in oil - driver was driving the car on highway when all of sudden the motor just died (stalled), forcing the driver to hard steer to the side of highway. The gauge at the time just suddenly jumped to h - in a span of few seconds and all dash lights illuminated. Very little steam was coming out - very little fluid was leaking. Noticed smell of coolant right away. Looked/double checked under the car - little leak again. Immediately thought maybe water pump or at least radiator hose leak, checked the coolant - it was empty. Had it towed to paul miller ford in lexington. Very unfriendly customer service. They mentioned that it was a "catastrophic engine failure" - coolant had mixed in with the oil and was pretty much sitting there. I was very fortunate that this has not caused a major accident as I explained it was real difficult to drive the car after it stalled. We followed maintenance schedule - we are very anal about that. My husband has a ford explorer himself. I am just at disbelief that we had a engine failure at 108,000 miles. I am not sure if this is common among the 3.5l v6 dohc 24v engine. It was my understanding that ford had designed the water pump to be intergral part of the engine (pretty much inside the engine now behind the timing chain cover, where you have to remove several parts to get to it. Most people know water pump failed but to be a part of internal engine and to have it pour coolant into engine, mixing up with oil and sit in the oil pan???? Huh? Costed us several grand to get the engine replaced.

Filed Nov 10, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 140,000 miles · MN

Brakes/calipers on rear have seized twice in last 6 months resulting in replacement of calipers/brakes/rotors on rear. No uncommon use of vehicle. Brakes/calipers on front have seized once in last 6 months. This happened following the replacement of strut. Front struts bearing had seized and fractured on the passenger side of vehicle. No uncommon use of vehicle took place. No accident sustained. Problem was noticed when vehicle was turning (loud crunching and scraping noises).

Filed Nov 10, 2015 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · MN

In august, 2015, back brakes began grinding and scraping. Turns out the rear calipers had seized resulting the in the brakes grinding down to the plates. These were newer brakes and vehicle was recently purchased. Following the brakes and calipers being replaced, I was once again (october, 2015) back at the mechanic with the same issues. The calipers had once again seized on the back brakes, resulting in a chunking/grinding sound regardless of if I was braking or not.

Filed Sep 18, 2015 · Steering · 42,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford taurus. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and power steering fluid leaked under the vehicle. The failure recurred on one occasion. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v340000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.