2011 Ford Taurus transmission problems

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Transmission · TX

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while idling at a stop sign or stop light, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and slightly hesitated while attempting to accelerate. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occasionally occurred after driving approximately 500 miles. The failure became more progressive over time. The contact stated that the gear shifter was able to be removed from the socket, causing the contact to have to apply pressure downward while changing gears to keep the shifter in the proper position. While driving at various speeds, the transmission felt like it was going to unexpectedly downshift or change gear. The contact had to hold the gear shifter to prevent the shifter from unintendedly changing gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 16, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · 69,000 miles · NJ · crash

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle had independently surged forward without warning. In all three incidents, the contact either hit another vehicle or an object due to the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle would accelerate upon the depression of the brake pedal. The contact stated that all three accidents were minor; the air bags did not deploy and there were no injuries. A police report was filed when the contact hit another vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 13, 2019 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · MA

Propane smell while driving, sluggish acceleration. 'puking' from the vent port. Car has had these issues since about 57k miles when I first noticed it. The 'lifetime' fluid inside of the ptu has turned into a black sludge and is unable to be siphoned out of the vehicle using a transfer pump. Noticeable when accelerating if you gradually apply the pedal as opposed to mashing it down.

Filed Nov 14, 2017 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford taurus. While driving various speeds and stopping, there was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power train control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2017 · Transmission · 82,500 miles · PA

My ford taurus has awd. Today, I was informed that the power transfer unit (ptu) is leaking badly and must be replaced. The total cost estimate is $1700 including parts and labor. According to the dealer and confirmed by owner comments on the web, the ptu may need to be replaced after 80000 miles. If it is not repaired the unit will fail and the car will lockup and have to be towed to a mechanic for repair. The ptu is only used on vehicles with awd. My taurus has 82500 miles on it. Needless to say, this is a defect. I purchased the car with the expectation that I should not expect a large repair bill for a broken part after 80k miles. Maintenance is one thing. A leaking power transfer case is quite another. If this is a known defect, ford should be required to pay for repairs and take steps to redesign the ptu so that it doesn't fail after 6 years of use.

Filed Jul 5, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 132,000 miles · FL

Computer controls glitched out at 132,000 miles AC went from 60 degrees to 90 degrees . Cant use the defogger in front windshield or the rear. Cant turn heat off it is a 90 degrees to . I am a heart and kidney and chemo patient! Radio controls will not work collectors cd will not eject . Computer controls will not reset tele phone car system never worked

Filed Aug 4, 2015 · Transmission · 45,500 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford taurus. While stopped on an incline, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. The traction warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into reverse and a loud noise came from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,500.

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford taurus. The contact stated that after turning off and exiting the vehicle, it rolled away and came to a stop on its own. The contact noticed that the vehicle had erroneously shifted into reverse. The dealer stated that the vehicle performed as designed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Transmission · MO

2011 ford taurus. Consumer writes in regards to transmission issues. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle has been to the dealer 15 times, for the same transmission slipping and harsh shifting issue.

Filed Jun 24, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 11,663 miles · NY · crash

I purchased a new 2011 taurus sel a couple of years ago. One day while driving into a parking lot, the car accelerated full speed on its own head on into a wall and was severely damaged ($11,000+ in damages - the driver airbag deployed but I was not injured). The insurance company did not total the car and it was repaired. The cause for the unintended acceleration was never determined. This past weekend my brother was driving the car and almost got involved in a similar incident. He was stopped at a red light in the taurus. He felt a strange rumbling that felt like it was coming from underneath him. He wasn't even sure it was the car so he took his foot off the brake slightly to see if the rumbling would stop. As soon as he took his foot off the brake, the RPM gauge shot up to 7,000 and the car took off. He slammed his foot back down on the brake and the car stopped but the RPM gauge was still at 7,000 and the engine was racing. While the engine was racing (with normal pressure applied to the brake the car did not move even though the engine was racing) he took a glance down at the gas pedal and nothing was pressing down on the gas pedal...no feet, no trapped floor mats. He shifted to park, the engine calmed down and it was like nothing ever happened. It drove normally again. The car is going back to a ford dealer for inspection but there is clearly a potentially fatal manufacturer defect in this vehicle.