After getting the car out of the body shop because of an accident, I was driving home and the temp gauge immediately went from normal to past hot. Once cooled, I added coolant and noticed the coolant jug had cracked. As a result, the head/head gasket had cracked due to the overheating from loss of coolant. As a result of the cracked head, exhaust is now entering into the coolant system, and causing coolant to boil out, and pump exhaust fumes into the cabin. I took it back to the shop, and was told that it was not their problem, and that the blown engine was not a result of the accident. I have made it a point to talk to every Taurus owner I can, and many have the same exhaust odor in the cabin. The stress of driving, or an accident, causes the coolant jug to crack and leak out coolant. I personally have replaced 5 of these jugs since the purchase of the car because of cracking on the bottom and coolant would leak out. Once this starts, the car overheats without warning because the temperature sensor does not have coolant running across it to get the proper coolant temperature.

- Bridgeport, TX, USA

I purchased this vehicle used and have had nothing but trouble since. The main issue is that it has had the potential to kill me, my family and passers by on 4 separate occasions. To start with we replaced all of the pulleys on the vehicle last winter, due to a constant squealing noise that replacing the belt did not fix. This cost a small fortune as we broke several tools (and 4 tensioner pulley's) as did 3 mechanics trying to get the pulleys back on. Ford was absolutely no help, they wanted to charge 300 or more dollars to attempt the job, their quote was something like "those things are a pain in the a@# and we never know what we're looking at with labor when we get one in!" after nearly 2 weeks we completed the work and many dollars later only to later discover that when we drive it in the rain the belt comes off! as you can imagine this is not exactly fun when on a country road in the rain with your child at 55 mph and you suddenly have no control of your car. As was the case with me the first time by the time I pulled into my driveway 2 miles later I had something plastic smoking on the right front side and severe overheating issues!!! this has happened 3 times since, once leaving me stranded at wal-mart, once in a friends driveway and most recently after 2 days of rain I decided to take my kids to the end of the raod to the bus stop(this is only re: 80 feet or so away) and I hadn't been anywhere and hit no puddles out of fear, and yet still lost the belt coming back to my driveway. My child had a seizure at school a week and a half ago, 20 miles from me and I had to drive in the rains from tropical storm gustav to a family members house and get a ride to the hospital to be with my child. I am having to say no to work(substitute teaching) when it's raining again in fear of wrecking and or being stuck somewhere and can't sell it because it has these problems. We also have had major problems with the fan's burning out and the front tires wearing down.

- Trinity , NC, USA

The "low coolant" sensor on my 2000 Taurus has failed a second time. The "low coolant" indicator light comes on every time the car is running even though the coolant level is correct (within the specified range). Previously, the first failure was under warranty. The second failure at 68,000 miles cost $120 to replace at the dealer. Replacement parts were only available through Ford dealers as no after-market parts stores could get these parts. The sensor itself is integrated into the coolant overflow tank, cost approximately $60.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Consumer took the vehicle to dealer because it stalled in the middle of the highway. The gas meter showed that there was gas in the tank. However, the tank was empty. Engine light came on later. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the manufacturer, who showed that the problem was repaired under a recall.

- Vinemont, AL, USA

Low coolant light came on, but car did not overheat, but antifreeze did leak out of heater block. Took car to dealer... heater block threaded incorrectly to engine. Now told I need a whole new engine! I have only had car for a month!

- Minneapolis, MN, USA