9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$270
Average Mileage:
135,750 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace alternator (4 reports)
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problem #4

Apr 042015

Taurus 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 230,000 miles

Put in a brand new alternator. I took it to work and it cut off.Took it home had another new alternator put in and changed the battery to a brand new. Went to work. Got off work at night, 2 blocks from the job the lights started dimming in the car, and in mid acceleration it cut off. I had to put on my hazards and I jumped out of the car to see if someone could see my lights. The police pulled up in back of me, Thank God for those men they helped me by pushing my car off of the highway onto a side street. They also took me home. I love those hard working men. All police officers are not the same!!!!!!!

- Margaret S., Elizabeth City, NC, US

problem #3

Jul 152009

Taurus GL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Just annoying at 62k to have to replace an alternator. It will probably eat another one is my guess.

- Michael V., Little Chute, WI, US

problem #2

Apr 162007

(reported on)

Taurus V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

I was driving home from school and my parents bought me this car to be safe, right? the battery light flickered for a while then just turned on completely, i get to my destination and the next day i have the battery charged. The technician said it would be ok but before I could get home, the entire car shut off as i was about to go up a hill on a bridge and there was no roadside... The car got towed immediately and i couldnt get it back for days. This goes along with a huge list of problems that ive delt with in only 3 years of owning the car

- danielleann333, Mashpee, MA, US

problem #1

Dec 122003

(reported on)

Taurus LX

  • 125,000 miles

I saw the problem coming but only in hindsight. The climate control fan would fade in and out depending on how much I accelerated. Then it happened; the ABS warning light came on, the tachometer went up and down wildly, and the theft light came on and then all of them lit up. I turned off the automatic headlights to save a little power to make it up a hill on the interstate to a major interchange where I would be more apt to get rescued. Everybody said an alternator would be cheap. Not so with power everything and the 24 valve DOHC Duratec Engine. The part itself is 270.00 rebuilt and there are three labor hours involved only because it's not mounted on top like the Vulcan engine OHV car is; it's buried way way below.

- Paul N., Attleboro, MA, US