The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty water pump causing coolant intrusion into the engine. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer twice, and the engine was replaced for the second and third time. The failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to Colorado Auto Finders (12351 E Arapahoe Rd, Centennial, CO 80112), where the ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to two separate independent mechanics, who diagnosed the vehicle with DTC Codes: P0300, P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected), and P0306 (Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 105,213.

- Greeley, CO, USA

Had my Ford for less than 6 months, and has 80,000 miles on it. Looks brand new, in excellent shape and yet on the way home from the grocery store, it began overheating. The tempature gage shot up and the engine started cutting out. We pulled over and the vehicle was smoking. We started adding water and coasting down the mountain until we could get home. Called several mechanics and find out that this is a common problem with our year and model. Every person we've consulted has quoted us $3,000 to repair the water pump. We have been told that the excessive charge is because when Ford built this model, the water pump was placed inside the engine. The entire engine has to be taken out of the car in order to replace the water pump. Most mechanics around us don't even have the machine that is needed to remove the engine. Ford is backed up for months on repairs. Our vehicle has been sitting for two summers because we cannot afford this $3,000 repair for a water pump! We are making payments on a car that can't be driven. Something needs to be done about this. The more I dig and research, the more complaints for this very issue I find. We need help!

- Rogersville, TN, USA

My 2011 Ford Taurus has had so many repairs out of pocket expenses and if I purchased another warranty package doubt it would cover my issues past and present. 69,000 th miles. Throttle bottle and pedal replacement $ $852.79 replaced on February 14, 2023. Mechanic tried to fix it but the error code is the large blue wrench and check engine light still on. Have to bring it in at the end of the month to my Ford Dealer as they are so booked up and I have read all the Ford recalls. When I start the car the break pedal is to the floor, it revs up and when I place the shift in drive it wants to take off by itself at a rapid speed. I then shut the car off and it makes a big thump. It takes me three tries to start it up again but looses power where I have to put my emergency flashes on. This incident is so dangerous. Ford should have done a recall there are so many complaints ! I was going to disconnect my battery and connect it again to see if that works but I don-??t want to erase the codes. My Ford dealership is so busy that they could only give me an appointment at the end of the month. As I stated my vehicle is inoperable as it sits until the end of the month to get serviced again.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling for approximately 1 minute, then the vehicle started revving up with the RPM above 7,000. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal seemed to be stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle came to a stop. The check engine warning light was displayed. There was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle. The following day the vehicle was driven to a certified mechanic who replaced the throttle body and accelerator pedal assembly. After returning to the residence and attempting to exit the vehicle with the vehicle idling, the failure recurred. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000. The consumer stated the vehicle broke down and towed to dealer. The computer was updated by the dealer but the vehicle failed once again. The consumer needs a second throttle body replacement.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

The throttle body threw a code. My car lost "power' and stalled. It went into limp mode. Became inoperable. My four year old, his dad, and my safety was at risk due to this happening on a rural road on a hill. We were stuck in the middle of nowhere and an hour and a half away from home. The dealership replaced the throttle bottle, accelerator pedal, reprogrammed it, and it still will not function normally. I am out of a car and that is not okay. They only warning sign there was happened to be a wrench and that's it.

- Springfield, MO, USA

Engine/ Water pump. Started the car one day and a massive plume of smoke came out of the exhaust. So far we have caught it early enough to where the whole engine doesn't have to be replaced. But the repair is costly. Shame on Ford for building this model of engine that has water pump failures that leak coolant into the oil. Especially when a vehicle has been well taken care of and maintained. This is causing $$$ to be spent.

- Ozark, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact was able to have the vehicle taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the water pump was faulty and that the timing chain was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Mechanics stated that the water pump fails often with these Taurus's. Some have to be replaced if found in time. Others like the consumer's give little to no warning and break. The interference engine causes a lot of valve and possible piston damage with the engine.

- Sneedville, TN, USA

Failed Water Pump, water pump isn-??t sending coolant through the mail engine so it-??s overheating and engine light is on.

- Chester, PA, USA

Attempted to start vehicle in driveway. Without warning, experienced a catastrophic failure of the water pump/engine cooling system. The failure caused the engine crankcase to fill with coolant and caused the vehicle crankshaft bearings to disintegrate into the oil leaving a silvery sludge. Upon taking vehicle to repair center, recommendation was to replace the entire engine since apparently the failure caused unrepairable internal damage to the engine. I have see other complaints about this where the failure happened while the vehicle was being driven and could have caused a very severe dangerous accident to occur as a result of the engine failure. Ford should be ashamed of the quality and workmanship in this motor since it appears to be a common an recurring problem.

- Quakertown, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. While operating the vehicle, a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to ray haskell Ford (801 kennedy memorial dr, oakland, me) where it was diagnosed that the water pump failed and damaged the engine. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 102,000. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle lost power steering and brakes with no warning.

- Oakland, ME, USA

Vehicle in motion, temperature gauge begins rising rapidly, in less than a minute at top of scale....pulled to side of highway, restarted to move over further.....all lights lit up and steam coming from inside engine. Water pump failed without warning and dumped coolant in engine which destroyed bearings. Catastrophic engine failure with no warning

- Willow Grove, PA, USA

I have a 2011 Ford Taurus sel that has less than 130,000 miles on it that has experienced a total engine failure. It started with a coolant leak which caused the car to overheat. I noticed the smell of coolant. After a week or so, the vehicle began making some noises. At that time, I was driving the vehicle and the vehicle started making a very loud noise, the temperature gauge came on and the vehical was overheating and the oil light also came on, keeping in mind that I had just changed the oil. Also, when the oil was changed, it was noticed that there was some other fluid in the oil (now after seeing all the other issues, realizing it was the coolant that had leaked in the engine causing the engine failure) all of a sudden, I experienced total engine failure while driving. The car shut off, I lost power steering and the car began smoking very heavily. I believed the car was on fire. It seems as though this issue has not only happened to my car but also many other Taurus's as well. This is a very dangerous situation, as my car stalled out in the middle of traffic with a loss of all maneuverability.

- Ramseur, NC, USA

Timing chain stretch

- Manchester, MI, USA

My Taurus just died on me, it overheated and I was stuck in the middle of traffic. I was only a few blocks from my home so I let the car cool as the manual says to do and then started it again. Got to my house shut it off and then find out that from driving the car it caused the antifreeze to mix with the oil and now I have a bad engine. This all because they put a water pump in an engine. Knowing this they tell you in the manual you can drive the car when it's cooled and put water in it if needed. This will ruin your engine!

- Port St. Lucie, FL, USA

While driving the car we lost heat and the car overheated. We stopped the car to ensure it would not be damaged and let it cool off. We were close enough to home to bring the car there. We brought the car to local mechanic who showed me there was coolant in the oil. I asked how could this happen" is there are crack in the block or the heads" he informed me that this model of engine has water pump failures that leak coolant into the oil. Because of the damage that this causes it would require a new motor. I have asked that the mechanic take pictures of this for evidence of this issue which I will receive when the car is finished.

- New Bremen, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Taurus. When the vehicle accelerated forward and in reverse, a loud sound was heard coming from the front wheels. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to stuart powell Ford Lincoln Mazda, 225 S danville bypass, danville, ky 40422) where it was diagnosed that the power take off assembly failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 26,476.

- Lancaster, KY, USA

While driving all warning lights flash, gauges go up and dwn and stop and dings sound. Turned off car and it wnt restart.wnt crank at all only security dings and secuity light flashes.took to skillman Ford and they did nothing.car was there 3 mnths. It has done this 4 times now in last yr. Seems to be a security issue.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

I was driving home from work, traveling uphill when my 2011 Taurus sho sputtered and quickly lost power for more than 5 sec. While I was accelerating. This is not the first time something like this has happened to me. I am glad there wasn't anyone driving behind me because I'm sure they would have rear-ended me. Once I regained control of my vehicle, I noticed my check engine light came on. The car was shaking and sputtering as it was trying to make it up the rest of the hill. The check engine light started to blink. By the time I made it to the top of the hill the vehicle seemed better but I knew from experience it was in limp mode. I made it home safely driving as carefully as I could. I did notice the car shook much more when I slowed down to stop for stop-signs, almost like it was going to stall. I even ran a couple signs because I wanted to make it home, safely. I called the dealership gus johnson Ford immediately to schedule an appointment. I took it in, my service advisor called me days later and said he advised I put a whole new engine in my car. Cylinder #4 misfiring, found leak that is causing low compression. He said they could tear apart the motor and inspect further but doing a complete engine assembly could cost upwards around $10,000. I was paralyzed! I found other stories and complaints just like mine when I came here to NHTSA. If Ford was, or still is aware of any defects to the engine through manufacturing or bad design that may cause loss of power, shaking, shuddering, sputtering, stalling, loss-of-power during acceleration, they should be held responsible before someone is seriously injured.

- Nine Mile Falls, WA, USA

I had a internal water pump failure filling the engine with coolant. This resulted in a engine hydro lock condition (luckily I was able limp a very rough running car in the emergency lane at 15mph to a nearby exit). Happened Friday evening Feb 3rd 2017 on a cold 27 degree evening. I was stranded North of nashville, tn on I65. This is a very very bad design flaw. I am mechanically inclined and most cars have external water pumps -- except this one. Not just the Taurus, but all 3.5 (and 3.7) motors have a internal water pump design; driven off the overhead cam chain. When it fails, it fails big, dumping all coolant (several gallons) into the crankcase. End result: Is a high potential for engine failure as all components including in my case the eco boost turbos submerged in coolant / antifreeze. Learning now it may be $8-9K for a new motor. Besides this expense is to know this engine will hydro lock with all the coolant in it and cannot be easily driven to a safe location seems very very dangerous to me. If the exit were not less than a 1/2 mile away I would have been stuck. No one wants to be on a dark freeway for 1-2 hours waiting for a tow truck on a cold Friday night. All is takes is one person from behind to slip off into the emergency lane and then it's all over.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

Car running very rough.took it to dealer.they say # 4 cylinder dead, we need new motor.81,000 miles.1 month out of warranty.dealer says 2 months or more for replacement motor.Ford will not stand behind their defective product.

- Mt.Airy, MD, USA