10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 36,526 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.
My parents were getting off of the highway and the vehicle would not stop. My dad was standing on the brake pedal with all of his strength but the car kept moving through a red light and into oncoming traffic where they were hit by several vehicles. My father had multiple serious injuries and died on August 10th of 2007 as a result of those injuries.
- Roswell, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. The contacted stated that the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance when the mechanic informed him that the front suspension had failed and there was a leak in the power steering pump. The vehicle was repaired for the front rotors, brakes, and the power steering pump. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
- Elkton, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. While driving approximately 20 mph, the contact applied the brakes and the pedal extended to the floorboard. The vehicle rear ended another vehicle and caused slight damage to the front bumper. A police report was filed. Four passenger sustained injuries. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 124,512.
- Los Vegas, NV, USA
At a stop light, no crash, but almost. I was applying the brakes hard and the car engine did not want to stop. The engine kept trying to go forward, but my hard braking kept it from going forward. I had to change car lanes to prevent a crash. I had to keep my foot on the brake pressing hard. The car engine finally stop trying move forward.. this has happen before with this car several times with some close calls. This happens on and off for the past 2 years. My brakes are in good sharp. Maybe a sensor problem "?"
- Fresno, CA, USA
On different occasions my car would try to lunge forward when I slam on the brakes. I had some close calls in hitting someone or a car. Lucky I had my foot already on the brake pedal and would brake hard again, then again sometimes. I started checking under the hood and I found that my brake fluid container lid was not on tight. After placing the lid on tight I had no more problems with braking or the car would try to go forward when I slam on the brakes.
- Fresno, CA, USA
Last November, the brakes on my 2001 Ford Taurus ses unexpectedly quit working. The pedal would push down normally, but it was not doing anything. It started working again after a few seconds, and I was almost home so I decided to try to drive it home. About 30 seconds later, they quit again, only this time they did not come right back. I had to put the car into park to get it to stop. The first station I took it to spent a week trying to figure out the problem and could not. I then had it towed to a Ford dealership who eventually fixed it. They said the problem was something was too tight, but I suspect that is just from the other station taking things apart trying to find the problem. I have not had a problem with it since, but I do not feel safe.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
2001 Ford Taurus, lost brake pressure while driving (pedal to floor). After further investigation I found the steel brake lines running to the rear of the car on the driver's side were completely rusted through, and leaking brake fluid at a very fast / high rate. It was obvious that the corrosion was cause by (2) plastic guards used to protect the lines from the parking brake cable. The guards held water, salt etc...
- Dubuque, IA, USA
Car lost brakes while driving, smoke from rear drivers side tire.
- Wilkes Barre , PA, USA
Starting engine with transmission in park; won't shift out of park, brake lights don't work. Occurs daily. Have to turn engine off, start, then put into gear, but brake lights still don't usually work. Tried to have Ford dealer repair under recall (04V10600 or 04S12, related to 1S08?), but was told by dealer & Ford customer service it didn't apply to my VIN. Paid dealer to replace brake light assembly and wiring. Concerned as both failure to shift into gear & brake light failure have left the driver stranded & at risk of an accident. I believe the recall should be expanded to include my vehicle and probably many others with the same issue, that were not included in the previous recall. Repair cost $158.61.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a loud rubbing noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the shop and it was discovered that the rear springs failed and punctured the tires. The contact spoke with the manufacturer requesting assistance with the $1,300 repair cost, but was denied assistance. The current and failure mileages were 43,000. The consumer stated replaced 2 tires were needed 4 were bought, both sets of springs, struts, mounts. The dealer stated the left rear brakes seem to be hanging. Updated 08/07/07
- Milwaukee, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Taurus. While preparing to make a right turn, the vehicle's brakes failed while attempting to decelerate from 50 mph. The brake warning indicator light illuminated. The contact had to shut off the vehicle in order for it to stop. The vehicle was towed to a Ford dealer and has not been diagnosed at this time. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 49,000.
- Madison, AL, USA
Problems with brakes on 2001 Ford Taurus. Nearly a fatel accident because of failed brakes only 10,000 miles on vehicle.
- Escondido, CA, USA
Problems with braking system on 2001 Ford Taurus. When applying the brakes while approaching a red light the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the brakes did not activate. The driver applied the parking brake and did slow down but not sufficiently to avoid hitting two vehicles waiting at the light. The driver maneuvered to vehicle away from the car and went over two curbs and a few bumps before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they could not duplicate the problem. Some undercarriage damage was noted but no major body damage.
- Biloxi, MS, USA
The brakes failed to stop vehicle when they were depressed. Brake pedal went to floor, and consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. Police officer indicated that there weren't any brakes on the passenger's side. Vehicle was towed to the dealership.
- Newport News, VA, USA
We noticed the lower half of the car is covered with small rust spots 44000 miles. We do not have an estimate on fixing this problem. At 39000 miles we began experiencing a rattle under the right front passenger floor board. This has been inspected and nothing has been found so far, however the rattle continues to grow worse. Just under 30000 miles the front brakes required replacment. New rotors and brake pads were installed, however within a weeks time the car was back in for more brake work. The pads were replaced by the shop, but the sqeaking has returned again.( we did not have the brakes repaired at the Ford dealership, because we were told that this was not covered under warranty.) the fuel gauge reads erracticly between full and 1/4. I have made no attempt to have this fixed yet. The engine has developed a hard starting problem within the last few weeks. It will crank and not start. Then after a couple of attempts, it will start but idle rough.
- Shelbyville, KY, USA
When applying the brakes the front end shook violently. The dealer rotated and balanced all four tires. The dealer also replaced the front rotors and pads and adjusted the rear brakes.
- Forest Hills, NY, USA
While driving at night or during inclement weather brakes fail to respond. The brake pedal is hard, and extended stopping distance is necessary to perform properly.
- Sandusky, OH, USA
When the brakes were applied, the pedal traveled to the floor, and caused less braking power. On a level road, the brakes were applied at a traffic light and the pedal had gone to the floor with little braking power, the pedal returned several minutes later. The dealer couldn't find the source of the problem.
- San Jose, CA, USA
While applying brakes the pedal went all the way down to the floor. The incident occurred twice at the same spot, but different days, the consumer pulled out of the road, as the consumer attempted to turn left at the red light the vehicle did not move. The brakes had become inoperative before as well where the consumer felt as if the vehicle wasn't going to stop.
- Hawk Run, PA, USA
- Baker, LA, USA