On 4 separate occassions, my 2009 Ford Taurus limited automatic transmission dropped out of gear while I was accelerating slowly away from a stop The times they have occurred Is from a stop sign into traffic. It dropped out of gear at about 5 mph and made a growling noise. . I put my foot on the brake. When I started it again everything worked fine. . I was leaving a parking lot and I had reached a speed of 5-15 mph when there was no longer any gear, then it slammed into gear for a moment, went a few feet, then dropped out again, then slammed into gear again. I was able to coast to the curb in a residential area and turn the engine off. Fortunately no traffic was coming.Another time I pulled into traffic and slipped out of gear Iwas able to back up only and parked it. Then several hours later I started the engine again and had no further trouble. so far. I was checking out recalls and service bulletins on it today and I found that other owners reported similar problems. If I had been pulling out into traffic and my transmission failed the way it did, there could easily have been an accident. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE !!!!!!!
Ford Taurus slipping problems
176 of the 16,903 owner complaints about the Ford Taurus describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 176
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 93,000
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 25Transmission failure 20Harsh shifting 12Stalling 11Hesitation 5Knocking 5Won't shift 4Loss of power 4
Trouble codes mentioned
P0733 1P0732 1
What owners say
The contact owned a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH the vehicle began to drift to the right and then to the left. The contact attempted to steer the vehicle back to the middle of the lane the power steering lost functionality. The contact stated that the "vehicle stability" or the slipping car icon warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he drifted into the cab of a tractor-trailer and collided on the right front cab side of the vehicle and ricocheted across the lane to the left and collided with the highway divider wall on the driver's side. Additionally, the contact stated that he had lost brake functionality. The contact was able to safely come to a stop. The contact was not injured. The police arrived on the scene and wrote a report. The contact had the vehicle towed to a body shop. The body shop diagnosed the vehicle with unrepairable damage to the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the open recall he had on his vehicle, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Vehicle keeps slipping and making clunking noises when going down the highway. I didn't have this issue until a month ago and it seems to be getting worse. The guy at belle tire said the rack is a common issue with ford taurus'. Trying to keep away from bump and turns but I have a lot when driving in grand rapids. I've almost hit cars because it randomly pulls me in one direction. Vehicle is only moving when it happens and happens both on the highway and when I'm going in reverse with the wheel turned all the way in one direction.
Power transmission is slipping causing vehicle to not stay in park.
My 2004 ford taurus suddenly started to accelerate on its own with foot off the gas pedal. Driving in city street at 30 MPH, the car all by itself suddenly started to accelerate (with my foot off the gas pedal) at speeds in excess of 75 MPH. After braking and parking car, I turned car off and noticed that one of the accelerator / throttle cables in engine compartment was completely disconnected . Apparently it is a a black plastic clip that was wearing out and slipping off the throttle linkage. The cable then can get stuck or tangled causing stuck acceleration. I called ford on june 7, 2018 and they said they did not hear of this problem and that there was not any recalls attached to my VIN. Case # cas-14980128. I mentioned to them that I researched the problem and that they have recalled over 400,000 ford taurus and sable models with this same issue. Since my car did not come up as being recalled, they are not going to fix this dangerous problem. Apparently, other ford models have the same issues with poorly designed throttle cables.
1. After being in stop and go traffic the transmission will start to slip. I try to press the gas and go nowhere, like I am stuck in 1st gear, I coast to a safe place and put the car in park start back up and it will act completely normal after that until another 3 months down the line. 2. Once in about 5/6 month I turn out into the street and the 'anti slip' feature turns itself on and it stops me dead in my tracks. It sounds horrible, and after I release the gas it will stop. Right now the vehicle is at the shop and I really hope they can find the cause of this
The back passenger side door keeps slipping out of place. The door has difficulties opening as it catches against the front passenger side door and makes a snapping sound. The door has already been fixed twice by the dealership but we were informed that this is a know problem with the newer vehicles and they didn't think this would be resolved. May law enforcement vehicles have been at the same dealership and the lady who works at ford said they have had to fix a lot of vehicles with the same problem. The dealership will not cover the cost of fixing the door going forward as we have had the car more than a year. I called ford to report the issue and my concern over the ability to get my son out of the back seat in a case of emergency. I asked them to note a recall and all I got back was an email stating they will not cover the cost of the fix. They never addressed my concern about safety and the ability of the door to function. The door has not experienced any stress and only normal open and shut. There has been no accidents but the door keeps slipping out of alignment. The vehicle went into the dealership to be corrected march 21 and april 11th.
Takata recall transmission started slipping and then it just went out. So had it fixed and it cost me over $ 2500. Now a year to date 07/ 08/2017 it started doing it again. This is ridiculous and can not afford it again. Oh of course when you take it in it won't do it. It happens when moving in the city between like 1st and 2nd. It doesn't happen all the time.
May 2016 I was driving my car and it felt like the transmission was slipping and the speedometer was all out of whack, the RPM's were going higher as I stepped on the gas pedal. I had the transmission replaced, the car has had more problems and was broke down for almost the remainder of the year. Dec. 2016 had a new starter, power steering pulley, and serpentine belt replaced. Car ran great for 3 days then the speedometer wasn't working and felt like the transmission is slipping or completely going out. I can't afford to repair this car I just finished paying off the $900 transmission job, plus I am still paying on the car! I am a single mother on disability with no money for repairs or another car. Please help.
On 4 occasions over a 2 month period my taurus failed to accelerate immediately due to what had appeared to be the traction control powering down the motor, minus any flashing lights etc. I would pull up to a stop sign, and attempt to accelerate and I would lose all power for approx 2 seconds and then my car would slam into gear and take off (always on dry clean pavement). I at first dismissed this issue to being a sensor going bad for the ABS system. I later found that during that time same period the speed control would intermittently stop working at various places and times on straightaways or turns without regard to what speed it was set at, however this did not happen to myself but a relation who was borrowing my car on occasion. The latest issue was when I attempted to pull away from a stop light 4 nights ago and it felt like either my car was in much too high of a gear, or if I had been driving a manual transmission I would have sworn that the clutch had gone bad and was slipping horribly. I released the accelerator and placed the car into manual shift while coasting under 5mph. My taurus lurched and slammed into first and then when I began to accelerate I placed it back into drive and it shifted fine on its own. I'm headed to the dealer later this week and am hoping to have this issue resolved quickly and easily after having found the service bulletin for this issue on here. I still don't get why this isn't a recall when so many people have had an issue, thankfully I purchased an extended warranty and I'm covered, oh and my taurus has under 47,000 miles on it so it's not like I've got a zillion miles and this issue popped up, ugh. Good luck to all of you taurus owners.
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Explorer, 2014-2015 Taurus and 2014 Edge vehicles equipped with 2.0L or 2.3L engines and front wheel drive. The support bracket for the front drive axle halfshaft may fail.
- Risk
- The failed bracket could result in a loss of park function which can cause unintended vehicle movement, and loss of motive power while driving which increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the link shaft bracket, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners received an interim notification detailing safety risk December 8, 2020. A second letter will be mailed when parts become available in January 2021. The recall began February 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S63.
Recall number 20V692000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.
- Risk
- If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑800‑392‑3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.
Recall number 14V393000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equpped with the "california" emissions package. An incorrect transmission oil cooler line was installed. The line contacts the anti-lock braking system module support bracket and over time, can wear and develop a leak.
- Risk
- Transmission fluid leakage onto the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the appropriate transmission oil cooler line.
Recall number 98V288000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
- Risk
- The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Recall number 97V097000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.
Recall number 96V176000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
- Risk
- Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
- Risk
- This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.
Recall number 96V086000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Taurus slipping
Which Ford Taurus years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (26 complaints), 1994 (22 complaints) and 1991 (17 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix transmission slipping on the Ford Taurus?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 20 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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