10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 55,369 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Was driven down the highway never had any problems before noticed a burning wire smell.. pulled over and the whole top of my motor was on fire... the fire department said it was electrical... my car is totaled.
- Waverly, TN, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that there was smoke rising from the fuse box under the instrument panel. The contact safely extinguished the fire and did not notify police. There were no injuries. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also not notified. The failure mileage was 200,000.
- Nashville, TN, USA
Automatic power-train. Speedometer stopped working, car would not shift and heater core needs replacement. Was advised by mechanic that shift solenoid needed replacement.
- Waldwick, NJ, USA
Has happened three times, the entire electrical system has shut off while driving. Had alternator and battery replaced. Battery light is on and lights dim considerably while driving at night resulting in sometimes shutting down completely. Happens day and night.
- Peachtree City, GA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the service engine soon light illuminated on the instrument panel. A mechanic replaced the oxygen sensor; however, the light still illuminated. The contact was informed that there was a misfire on the #6 cylinder. In addition, there was a lot of smoke when the vehicle was started. He took the vehicle to a mechanic and they stated that the possible cause of the failure was antifreeze entering the motor. The mechanic also suggested that there was a potential issue with the head gasket, which would cost between $1,500-$2,500 to repair. Also, the vehicle would not decelerate if the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal; therefore, he would have to apply the brakes instead. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle would coast due to the cruise control. The contact also experienced issues with the fuel system using more gasoline than he believed was necessary. For errands around town, the vehicle would use a half of a tank. The headlights had a dingy color on the inside. He attempted to get another lens cap for it, but could not change it because it was plastic. The contact would have to purchase another headlight to correct the issue. The manufacturer could not assist because the vehicle was close to ten years old. The contact also noticed that the vehicle would accelerate on its own and slip into another gear. Lastly, there was an issue with the instrument panel gauges dimming intermittently. The current mileage was approximately 118,000 and failure mileage was 117,400.
- Santa Rosa, CA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact noticed smoke rising from under the hood. He activated the headlights so that he could see more clearly. When he dimmed the headlights, the vehicle stopped smoking. The contact stated that the headlights flickered when he purchased the vehicle. The current mileage was 112,000 and failure mileage was 100,000. Remailed evoq 10/15/07
- King George , VA, USA
: the contact stated that there were on going problems with the anti freeze in the coolant system and electrical system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the vehicle had a sludge problem in the coolant system and the vehicle was flushed. The manufacturer was contacted who checked the VIN # and determined that the vehicle was not included in the recall. There was a tsb #622646 on the NHTSA website that explains briefly problems similiar to the vehicle. The problems persisted.
- Bradford, OH, USA
When you hit the horn the engine tries to cut out and the check engine light comes on. When that happens the car jerks really bad like you slammed on the brakes. Also the cruise control only works half the time. Nothing has been done to correct this yet. It is going into the shop in a week.
- Montpelier, OH, USA
The contact has a 1999 Ford Taurus and has had consistent problems with the car since it was bought new. She has been complaining for the last 48,000 miles for the same things. Most recently last week she took vehicle to the dealer for a leak in the master cylinder, which they repaired.. they cleaned the hubs. She had to push the brakes all the way to get the car to stop. They replaced brake booster, machined rotors, and put new brake pads on. At 1,700 miles had to take vehicle to dealer for a noise she from the brakes. They cleaned the hubs. At 22,466 brakes and serpentine belt were checked. They put a new serpentine belt on at 22,500 miles. Also, had multiple electrical problems with the car. 4 multifunction switches were replaced. In addition, a head lamp control switch was replaced at 17,000 mile, and a new radio put in. The A/C had alo bee worked on twice.
- Bath, PA, USA
Contact states: Drove car 1/2 mile using headlights by the time she entered the driveway a burning smell and smoke was coming out of front driver side hood above the headlights. Smelled between tar and glue smell. It smells even when headlights are not in use drove less than 1/2 mile. Ford dealership did say it sounded electrical.
- Supply, NC, USA
All the interior lights stayed on while driving at night. This obstructed the driver's vision. Dealer was notified. Whenever the interior gets warm. The map reading lamp and the door ajar light on the dash will stay on. When this happends the heater will also turn on to window defrost. The led for the heater will also start flickering on and off.
- Page, AZ, USA
Intermittantly the windshield wipers activate when the brake pedal is pushed! I have owned the car for three years. Usually by turning the wiper switch on then off, it would stop. Today that had no affect on the wipers. I drove the car for about 2.5 hours today. The wipers came on for a total of about twenty minutes. I am taking the car to Ford tomorrow. I talked with the service specialist today. He stated this was not an uncommon problem over several models of Ford vehicles. The multifunction switch malfunctions. Why was there no service bulletin issued" further, why would pressing the brake pedal activate the wipers" they are two separate systems!
- Watauga, TX, USA
The interior light continues to remain on and the dash readout indicates that there is a door open when there actually isn't. as a result, the driver's side door will not lock as long as the car believes there is an unlocked door.
- New Carrollton, MD, USA
The dome light would come on and go off intermittently, and the alternator was replaced on 3 separate occasions. The door locks would go up and down and would come on intermittently. The problem was diagnosed as a leaking windshield.
- Bishopville, MD, USA
1999 Ford Taurus is suffering from electrical problems. The vehicle would shut off with no warning, the locks on both doors were off and would have to be played with to get them to open at times, the headlights were inoperative, also the dash lights were inoperative behind the gas gauge/radio/heating/ac/clock/and speedometer, the RPM gauge was delayed at start, the passenger door made noises when opened and closed, the wipers were intermittent, the turn signals were intermittent, the brake light had come on, the vehicle would not start in the morning but would start at night, the vehicle was sluggish and had poor gas mileage. The vehicle was taken in due to defective relays which were replaced. The VIN# on the vehicle and the VIN# on the sticker were different.
- Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA
Vehicle is experiencing electrical problems. Also, transmission does not shift properly.
- Calcutta, OH, USA
While traveling on the highway without prior warning the vehicle will shut down. Please fill in additional information dealer is aware of the problem.
- Melvindale, MI, USA
While driving along vehicle would just shut down, losing power. Intermittently windshield wipers would move and other electrical functions failed. Vehicle has had four alternators replaced, and vehicle was twice left stranded on side of road.
- Shelbyville, DE, USA
Whenever consumer gets out and touches any part of the vehicle he gets a static shock. Dealer was notified.
- Tempe, AZ, USA
- Washington, DC, USA