8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,170
Average Mileage:
80,450 miles
Total Complaints:
176 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (49 reports)
  2. replace transmission (48 reports)
  3. rebuild transmission (44 reports)
  4. repair torque converter (18 reports)
  5. ford should repair this (17 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #96

May 242011

Taurus SEL 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,308 miles

My wife was driving to the store a couple miles from home. While driving along she had no forward motion, or any backward motion either. My son came walking back to the house and got me. I tried everything, all gears, nothing worked. I had it towed home and put it in the driveway, We garaged it until we could gather enough cash to fix it. I went onto this web site and was amazed at how many people had the same experience. I called to check on recalls and found nothing for this problem. I called the Ford company and filed a complaint. I urge all of you to do the same, maybe if they get enough calls, they'll do something.

It appears to be the torque converter, so I call the guy fixing mine and sure enough, that's what it was. I had it fixed by a reputable shop and got out fairly inexpensively. To say I'm unhappy is an understatement, a Six year old car with 54,000 miles, there is no excuse. I own a F 150 and a Taurus. Ford Quality if this is what it is then I will not be buying back into the Ford propaganda machine again. If Ford wont stand up and admit they have a problem I will look elsewhere for my next car purchase....

- Don N., Burleson, TX, US

problem #95

May 182011

Taurus LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,500 miles

Add me to the list of people who have had transmission problems with the 2005 Taurus. I was driving to work this morning, when suddenly my car quit moving. I couldn't move forward or reverse. The mechanic told me that I'm going to need a new transmission. Now that I've read through the complaints, I'm guessing that I have a problem with the torque converter. Thanks Ford!

- clacy, Liberty, MO, US

problem #94

Jun 202011

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

tHIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THIS CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. The first time I was on a side road and it just stopped ... would not move forwards or backwards. I had the modulator to the transmission repaired for approx.900.00. The 2nd time, only a few days ago, I had just exited off of a heavily traffic type of interstate and the car just stopped - same symptoms as before .... I thought I would be dead. This is a very dangerous vehicle. SOmeone is going to be killed because of this malfunction. I guess it is time to get rid of this bad boy and never buy another Ford Taurus. What a waste and a pity and I can't believe there is no RECALL.

- ellnthomas780, Greenville, SC, US

problem #93

Dec 192012

Taurus 3.2L. V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

Driving on the interstate coming home from the airport. All of a sudden the engine revved up to 4-5 RPM like like I'd knocked the gear lever into Neutral. No forward drive. Coasted to the side of the road and had to call a tow truck and wait 2 hours for help.

All fluids were adequate and no visible leaks. Car was well maintained.

It died with NO forewarning!

After reading all of the other complaints, I agree that Ford needs to do a recall!

- clutzattack, Palm Bay, FL, US

problem #92

May 062011

Taurus SEL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Come on, Ford, really? And you wonder why people buy Japanese? My wife was on her way out of town without me when the car stopped. No power. Tranny failure. Thank God she was only 3 miles from home and not stranded on the highway!!! Thanks Ford. I bought American and you bit me in the ass. 2800 to repair in this economy. You should be ashamed of yourselves. MAKE THIS RIGHT!!!

- Brian W., Kansas City, MO, US

problem #91

May 032011

Taurus SE 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,120 miles

I really loved my '05 Taurus... I even wrote Ford an email about a year ago to that effect. It had just turned 70,000 miles. On the way to work in the morning I got off the tollway and stopped at the first traffic light. When it changed, I stepped on the gas, but the engine just raced like it was in neutral. I tried all the gears and reverse, but none worked. There was no sign of any problem before this.

Thinking something electrical happened, I turned off the engine and restarted it, but nothing changed. I was in disbelief that my trusty Taurus could be doing this. I tried all the gears and restarted the engine again, and several more times in desperation, but finally had to accept the fact that it stranded me pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I was in the right lane on a four lane divided highway and, luckily, on a slight incline, so I put the trans in neutral and coasted backwards around the corner to a much less busy road.

I had to have towed it to a repair shop and rent a car. The shop rebuilt the transmission for $2330 and showed me the problem - a stripped spline on the pump shaft that mates with the torque converter. I have owned many cars, and never had or heard of a transmission quitting with under 100,000 miles. It certainly was the last thing I expected, especially since I had been very good to this car.

I called Ford and asked for help, and they called back saying there was no recall for this problem on my VIN # and that it was out of warranty, so there was nothing they could do. After seeing all the similar complaints here and on other websites, and the class action lawsuit over the same problem with the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey, I'm wondering why the Taurus is not included. The whole thing has certainly changed my opinion about my Taurus and Ford.

- danielmil, Mount Prospect, IL, US

problem #90

Apr 242011

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

My son was driving my 2005 Ford Taurus home from church on Easter Sunday when it just suddenly stopped moving forward. He got over to the side of the road, and we had AAA come and tow it to an Aamco where we dropped the keys and will await the expected horrible news. I bought my car from CarMax back in 2006, with only 17,000 miles on it. I really wish I had known then what I am finding out now. I can't believe this was not a recall, with the amount of people who have been having trouble with it! I am all for a class action lawsuit, and can't believe one hasn't been filed yet. We must have some kind of recourse! I am so done with Ford and especially the Taurus. I had hoped to get a newer one at some point, but I will NOT buy another Ford Taurus EVER AGAIN. I am just waiting for the $2,000-$5,000 bad news, for a freaking car that I still owe over $5,000 on! I really wish the woman who urged us to call Ford and complain would have left the contact information, because I would so love to call them and give them a piece of my mind! This is so aggravating because I don't have the money to spend on a torque converter/shift repair. I HATE YOU FORD, YOU NEED TO BE STOPPED!!!

- joycek, Acworth, GA, US

problem #89

Apr 242011

Taurus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,944 miles

Like many others on this site, I was driving and with no warning, the car's RPMs increased suddenly, and I let go of the gas pedal. I coasted to a stop sign, then tried every gear and the engine revved like it was in neutral. I had it towed to the ford dealer, and the next day i got a repair estimate of $2984 plus tax. That's well over half the blue book value of the car. Not even 53000 miles and it's not worth fixing.

- James S., Clovis, NM, US

problem #88

Apr 082011

Taurus SEL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I have a 2005 ford Taurus. It was running great until a day ago (04-08-2011) and just like that the transmission would not engage! I never had a problem up to now! I checked the fluid and there is fluid in the transmission. I checked the fluid after the car warmed up, in gear with the emergency brake on, the fluid was not hot or warm. The motor sound like it is running freely now. I can't understand it, the car was running great and now it will not move in any gear.

- dan321, Lawton, OK, US

problem #87

Sep 172010

Taurus V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

Just the body style of a Ford Taurus alone was unappealing to me, but the price was right (now i see why) and being a previous Ford Probe owner (that I sooo loved 130+ miles with not 1 problem) I thought I could over look the Taurus body style, wish I hadn't.

Thank goodness I was close to home when I began to hear a loud and very strange noise. I stop the car put it in park and checked under the hood. Unable to see anything wrong as far as smoking or anything else I got back in the drivers seat and proceeded to put the car in drive. I put my foot on the gas and listened to my engine rev up and felt me still sitting in the same spot.

I figured it was the transmission cause i noticed a few small leaks in my driveway w/ a pinkish or reddish color for a couple of months called a shop to check it out and the day before me taking it it went out. Torque converter went out.This vehicle should be recalled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no vehicle w/ less than 60,000 mls should have any major repairs such as this. I'm going foreign from here on out! Will take the chance of not being able to stop my car(Toyota) if thats the only way to get a recall

- pdtx, Austin, TX, US

problem #86

Mar 262011

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

We purchased our Ford Taurus in 2007 with 38000 miles.In November of 2009 we had to have the transmission replaced at a cost of $2720. We had a year warranty from Aamco and thought this car would last us for awhile. Now is is March 2011, and the transmission is failing again...loud knocks when shifting from second to third. The car has only 78,000 miles and has been well maintained. We just put four new brakes on and had a tuneup ($800) What is wrong with Ford that they haven't issued a recall for this car when there are so many complaints???We cannot afford to have this car fixed again. I want to buy American, but am now reluctant to ever purchase a Ford again.

- terrim, Jupiter, FL, US

problem #85

Mar 212011

Taurus SE 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Ridiculous FORD obviously an inherent design flaw with you Transmission/Torque Converter units. Can you say Class Action Law Suit? Maybe its FORD that should be testifying before congress on inferior product not Toyota.

Same issue as everyone else automatic transmission simply stops working with no warning. My car transmission oil was good condition, red color,not burnt, and no impurities, car shifted normally going to work. Returning home went up slight incline transmission disengaged. I suspect it is the torque converter. The real question FORD is why? I am a Manufacturing Engineer so fixing problems is second nature to me. However, for a transmission to have a latent failure such as this speaks volumes of inferior design. FORD MOTOR YOU NEED TO RECALL everyone of these lemons. You guessed it next car will be Foreign. I have supported Ford Motors by purchasing five different FORD vehicles in the past well not anymore if this is the Quality they brag about I don't want anymore of it. PISS OFF FORD

- Larry T., Round Rock, TX, US

problem #84

Mar 152011

Taurus SE 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

I bought my 2005 Taurus in 2007 after having owned a 1995 Taurus. I loved the 1995 and was happy to buy another one. Yesterday I left for work and got 2 blocks when the car lost all gears. No warning nothing. I had it towed and was told that the Transmission had to be fixed. For a car with less that 52,000 miles on it this was the last thing I expected or needed. We have always maintained our vehicles and never expected this. Not only is this an inconvenience for us but the cost to fix this is not something we need now. After researching this problem it seems that many other people have encountered the same problem. Why hasn't Ford issued a recall on this problem. You would think they would stand by their product and not want to risk losing customers. I know that fixing the problem is cheaper that buying another car but I would like to see Ford offer some compensation to the owners of these vehicles. I will think twice about buying another Ford.

- Ronald R., Ludington, MI, US

problem #83

Nov 072010

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

I DROPPED MY SON OFF AT SCHOOL HAD 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WITH ME WENT TO TAKE OFF AFTER STOP CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ENGINE WAS RUNNING NO FORWARD REVERSE NOTHING NO WARNING AT ALL NO LEAKS NO GRINDING NO WARNING THE WEATHER WAS JUST GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE I CALLED MY DAD WHO IS MECHANICALLY INCLINED I CHECKED FLUID FUSES NOTHING I CALLED TAXI THANK GOODNESS MY TOWN HAS A VERY FRIENDLY AND RELIABLE ONE AVAILABLE WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO INFORM THEM WHERE THE CAR WAS LOCATED AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED THEN I HAD TO CALL FOR TOWING NOT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH CAR I NATURALLY CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP IN TOWN THEY SAID THEY WOULD TOW THE CAR AND CHECK IT OUT THEY CALLED BACK WITH AN ESTIMATE" POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER AND SHAFT PROBLEM" $3,450.OO THIS IS DAYS BEFORE MY DAUGHTERS 2ND BIRTHDAY AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS WHAT BAD TIMING I CALLED AROUND GOT A LOWER QUOTE STILL MORE THAN WE HAD AVAILABLE HAD TO AKE OUT EXTREMELY HIGH INTEREST LOAN TO PAY FOR REPAIRS MADE IT THREW BUT WASN'T A VERY JOYOUS TIME OF YEAR FORD NEEDS TO STOP PRETENDING THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WE BUY AMERICAN WE WANT RESPECT 2005 FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED

- ering2121, Watertown, WI, US

problem #82

Sep 152010

Taurus 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

My husband and I were driving to the next town, stopped at a stop sign a couple miles from home. When we went to take off, we had no forward motion, or any backward motion either. We tried everything, all gears, nothing worked. We pushed it into the nearest farm driveway, and walked home. We garaged it until we could gather enough cash to fix it. I went onto this web site and was amazed at how many people had the same experience. I called to check on recalls and found nothing for this problem. I called the Ford company and filed a complaint. I urge all of you to do the same, maybe if they get enough calls, they'll do something. It appears to be the torque converter, so I call the guy fixing mine and sure enough, that's what it was. I haven't gotten the bill yet. To say I'm unhappy is an understatement, a five year old car with 52,000 miles, there is no excuse. What's up with that, Ford?

- shafted, Larchwood, IA, US

problem #81

Oct 092007

Taurus

  • Manual transmission
  • 45,000 miles

My daughter drop me off at work and left to go to school and when she got to the bottom of the hill and went to merge into traffic the vehicle just stopped and would not go anywhere but it was still running. You could step on the gas pedal and it would go anywhere.

- dlobrandon, Waldorf, MD, US

problem #80

Apr 012010

Taurus

  • Manual transmission
  • 76,000 miles

The vehicle was taken to the shop because it was not shifting correctly. I had to be followed to the shop to make sure it wouldn't leave me on the highway. tI took them a week to get my car fixed because I didn't have the money for it and I was told that the warranty was no longer covering the transmission. so it had to come out of my pocket. I felt the problem was not fixed the first time it was in the shop - it was just a part fixed on it.

- dlobrandon, Waldorf, MD, US

problem #79

Oct 232010

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I bought my car a year ago and have never had any problems. Then one day my husband and i are driving down the road and stopped at a stop sign. My husband pressed the gas to go and....nothing. The car won't go anywhere. We shut the car off and turned it back on and still nothing. There are no gears. It wont go into drive or reverse. Called AAA to have it towed and he said that this is a common problem with this car. Thats when i searched the problem only to find that there are MANY people with the same exact problem. Coincidence? I think not. We are going to the dealership (Wally Armor) to see if we can get any help.

- awelsch06, Bolivar, OH, US

problem #78

Nov 042010

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Mom bought the car, on a loan, new in 05'. We have had trouble since. Now, being in that i'm the only one working in the family, I run the risk of losing my min wage job because I have no transportation. This car has ruined my life. It has finished pushing my family into total poverty. Up until the tranny failure the upkeep was thorough and often. But, the car just went out like so many others have already explained. Now, I will probably lose my job over missed work time. Keep in mind this is our only means of financial support. Since I am unable to pay the 5,000 required to get a new transmission we are out indefinitely . I hope the makers of Ford lose it all because of their low integrity and non-existent conscience. I tell everyone I know how bad this company is. I would never own another Ford.

- Brandy J., Oceana, West Virgnia, US

problem #77

Nov 162010

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

NEVER AGAIN WILL I OWN A FORD. Damn transmission went out on my 2005 but my 1999 Ford still runs and that's with over 100K miles. I can't believe with as many ppl that have complained that Ford will not make things right. SO GUESS WHAT FORD, SHOVE YOUR CAR UP YOUR ASS. I'm going foreign next time I buy a car.

- Ivonne L., Winter Haven, FL, US

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