Car stalled on freeway then when finally got it started and exited freeway at the very next exit, car stalled again. This time when the car started it also caught on fire underneath the hood. Pulled into very first parking lot (approx 100ft) car stalled again but by now was completely engulfed in flames under the hood. I exited vehicle immediately and called fire dept. Car was a complete loss. Several weeks to a month after loss of car, I received a recall notice for the car. Apparently there was a defective engine cooling fan that could cause a fire underneath the hood. My car is gone. What do I do? Ford is responsible. How do I get reimbursed for my car. I am not looking for a handout. I just want what my car was worth, not to mention my time and trouble.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

A/C: compressor clutch came apart exhaust: Due to heat and corrosion cat converter flange became so thin it was impossible to seal exhaust. Act converter replaced under 8/80 emmissions warranty. Paint: Cracks in paint developed above rear wheel (sheet metal flexing?) allowing moisture in causing corrosion and paint to lift. Front springs: Both front springs broke nearly puncturing the right front tire. No help from Ford. Seems they have a history of bad spring problems. 93 Taurus recall #98V-094, Windstar recall 01V-199, Contour recall 01V-255. They have extended the warranty on front springs for the 2000 Ford Focus for 10 years or 150,000 miles because of this problem. I didn't even know the springs were broken. Dealer brought it to my attention while in for A/C repair. Had the spring punctured the tire at highway speed the result could have been catastropic. I contacted Ford customer service and they offered no assistance other than to say if there was a future recall or satisfaction program I would be eligible for reimbursment. The cost of the repair is relativly inexpensive. It's the fact that they know there is a problem and are unwilling to address it that bothers me. Springs are not a maintance item. I have seen them lose tension and sag on older high mileage cars, but not brake. This is a safety issue.

- S. Glens Falls, NY, USA

1. the engine problem was a blown head gasket 2. the transmission problem was a planetary gear meltdown. I replaced the planetary gearset and the fiber parts, plates and seals. I also installed an axod dam kit made by shift technology products to increase the lubrication to the planetaries. Unfortunately, the transmission still has the same delayed shifts from second to third and third to fourth and a delayed and harsh third to second downshift that it always had (it was my wifes car when I met her and it had 30000 miles on it at that time). 3. runs on the hot side even after the head gasket change. I've replaced the thermostat seeveral times and the water pump once and the radiator once. I finally removed the thermostat and let it run without one and the gage will still run in the middle. Also, the cooling fan works.

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

95 Ford Taurus SE sold to me by a major Saturn dealer in September of 2001 sticker price around 6,000 before taxes etc. Traded in my paid for Buick in good condition because of overheating that could not be fixed with vehicle history so easy to access these days, how could this be over looked by a major car dealer, selling to the general public, my vehicle has been on notice for recall for 8yrs.! I just became aware of this warranty recall a few months prior to the expiration of this recall notice. I accidently ran across the Ford extended warranty card transferred to me when I purchased the car, called them and was given info that answered a lot of questions: Last year, I spent every dime I could make, borrow, and beg to keep that car form blowing up, and running so that I could keep a roof me and my children"S head, (single mother with 2 children in las vegas is scary enough but without transportation I can"T even imagine. Car started overheating at odd times and way before any (normal heat reading), spewing coolant and so forth all over hoses and cables and radiator causing eventual erosion of all these hoses etc. Some hoses can cost up to $60 a piece! this overheating continued to simultaneously cause other problems such as build up of fluids(coolant mixture)in radiator at temperatures ranging from 117 degrees causing erosion of the same nature within the radiator, head gasket cracked and repaired at the tune of $1600. Still the electrical was over looked by the same mechanics time and time again. Neglect is a prevalent problem in this field and women are the victims here once again, helpless!

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

My 1995 Ford Taurus with 3.8 liter engine has experienced head gaskets failures twice. The first time, Ford Motor Company admitted that the design was faulty and replaced the engine. The second time occurred 28,000 miles later, on the new engine. Now they refuse to accept responsibility for a design that is obviously defective. This is a very disappointing response from a major manufacturer. This explains why they are losing market share and customers.

- Neenah, WI, USA

While driving vehicle stalled. Driver lost power steering. Driver managed to move to side of road and stopped vehicle. Had vehicle towed to dealership for the mechanic to check out problem.

- Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, USA

While driving, the engine over heated and stalled.

- Weiser, ID, USA

The vehicle stalled in heavy traffic which resulted in white smoke blowing out. The mechanic stated that the head gasket had blown, which was a result of the fan bearing problem which was later addressed by a recall. The consumer requested reimbursement. After the vehicle was worked on for the recall, the vehicle began to overheat. The dealer completely flushed and all the liquids to try and remedy the cooling system problem. (recall 397V019000)

- Marietta, GA, USA

The head gaskets leaked antifreeze.

- Columbia, MO, USA

1995 Ford Taurus 3.8 liter head gasket failure

- Chicopee, MA, USA

Consumer received a recall letter from the manufacturer, took the vehicle to the dealer to fixed the engine cooling fan assembly. (the part on recall) vehicle had the same problem overheating. The recall failed.

- Williston, FL, USA

The consumer experienced three incidents where the vehicle stalled. (the fist incident the consumer was entering highway traffic, the second was after a light changed/stalled in the middle of the street, and the third incident the consumer was traveling on the highway and the motor started to miss, and a couple of seconds later quit) scc

- Grand Island, FL, USA

Head gasket failure on a 1995 Ford Taurus. It has been published that the 1995 Ford 3.8L engine will fail at any speed without warning and this occurred with our vehicle.

- Tracy, CA, USA

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the head gasket blew causing coolant fluid to leak. Dealer notified.

- Corning, AR, USA

Consumer states that while driving and without warning the head gasket blew causing the consumer to smell strong chemical fumes. Dealer notified.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

Engine leaking coolant and white smoke coming from tail pipe while driving. Dealer contacted. The check engine light came on, the temperature rised to hot and vehicle stalled after making noise. All water came out of exhaust system.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Vehicle still overheats after replacing engine. As soon as temperature gauge moved in the red, pulled vehicle over to cool off. Dealer has not been notified.

- Austell, GA, USA

The engine light went on when the thermostat guage went to hot from neutral, then the car overheated and stalled the engine at about 55 mph. Smoke and steam poured out from under the hood of the car. One couldn't start the engine again until it cooled down.

- Weston, FL, USA

Vehicle experienced engine overheating and loss of power, recall for same failure, however vehicle denied due to VIN #.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

While traveling on the interstate, the engine temperature gauge began fluctuating back and forth. I stopped the car and checked under the hood and found the car to be overheating. Vehicle was allowed to cool down and coolant was added. Continued on to destination without further incident. Vechile was taken to a Ford dealer in Arkansas to pinpoint problem. Was told that the head gasket had failed.due to problem with the 3.8L engine, Ford would fix at no charge. Repair took over a week resulting in myself and family having to return to Florida by other means and having to return to Arkansas the following week to pick up my car. Despite this problem being covered under an "extended warranty" Ford offored no assistance for the inconvience/expense we went through, even though they knew we were from out of state and the vehicle was promised to be repaired before we had to return to Florida. A subsequent complaint was filed to landers Ford in little rock, ar and to the director of Ford's vehicle service and programs dept. Both letters were unanswered/ignored. Vehicle ci again losing coolant (5/24/2000) and will be taken back to the dealer in dothan.

- Graceville, FL, USA