2008 FORD TAURUS X Suspension Problems

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT, OUR CAR MADE A POP SOUND AND SUDDENLY LURCHED AND STEERING WAS IMPAIRED. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRONT SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH INTERNALLY CAUSING THE SWAY BAR TO BREAK AWAY AND IT HAD PERFORATED AROUND THE MOUNT FOR THE CONTROL ARM. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THE CONTROL ARM DIDN'T COMPLETELY DROP OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE FORD ESCAPE SUBFRAME RECALL. DEALER TECHNICIAN SAID HE HAS REPLACED A LOT OF THESE ENGINE CRADLES IN THE TAURUS X'S FOR THE SAME FAILURE (SOME WORSE THAN OURS, COMPLETELY RUSTED IN HALF ETC.). LACK OF SUFFICIENT PAINT INSIDE OF THE CRADLES CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE ARE ACCIDENTS REPORTED FOR THIS CONCERN. I HAVE REQUESTED THE ENGINE CRADLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT IS REMOVED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT, OUR CAR MADE A POP SOUND AND SUDDENLY LURCHED AND STEERING WAS IMPAIRED. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRONT SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH INTERNALLY CAUSING THE SWAY BAR TO BREAK AWAY AND IT HAD PERFORATED AROUND THE MOUNT FOR THE CONTROL ARM. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THE CONTROL ARM DIDN'T COMPLETELY DROP OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FAILURE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE FORD ESCAPE SUBFRAME RECALL. DEALER TECHNICIAN SAID HE HAS REPLACED A LOT OF THESE ENGINE CRADLES IN THE TAURUS X'S FOR THE SAME FAILURE (SOME WORSE THAN OURS, COMPLETELY RUSTED IN HALF ETC.). LACK OF SUFFICIENT PAINT INSIDE OF THE CRADLES CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE ARE ACCIDENTS REPORTED FOR THIS CONCERN. I HAVE REQUESTED THE ENGINE CRADLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT IS REMOVED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE.

HOOD RELEASED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. COMPUTER REPORTED A TIRE SENSOR INFLATION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. AIR PRESSURE WAS FINE. POPPING, LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING HAS RETURNED EVEN AFTER IT WAS SERVICED DUE TO THE DRIVETRAIN AND TRANSMISSION. SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN THE SUSPENSION, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOLD THAT IS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FALLEN ON THE GROUND WHILE WE WERE DRIVING FORWARD. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR FORWARD. WE WERE FORCED TO DRIVE THE BACK ROADS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE WINDOW. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER MIRROR GRINDS AND POPS WHILE MOVING IT. *TR

HOOD RELEASED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. COMPUTER REPORTED A TIRE SENSOR INFLATION ISSUES WHILE DRIVING. AIR PRESSURE WAS FINE. POPPING, LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING HAS RETURNED EVEN AFTER IT WAS SERVICED DUE TO THE DRIVETRAIN AND TRANSMISSION. SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN THE SUSPENSION, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOLD THAT IS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING OUT FROM A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD FALLEN ON THE GROUND WHILE WE WERE DRIVING FORWARD. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE CAR FORWARD. WE WERE FORCED TO DRIVE THE BACK ROADS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW GOES DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE WINDOW. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER MIRROR GRINDS AND POPS WHILE MOVING IT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A HILLY COUNTRY ROAD AT THE RATE OF 40 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR. AS I WAS COMING DOWN AN INCLINE, I LOST CONTROL OF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE TAIL END WAS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE. AS I DECELERATED AND TRIED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT WHILE THE TAIL END OF THE CAR CONTINUED TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, I COULD SEE THE PART THAT WAS HOLDING THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE TO THE FRAME HANGING ON THE GROUND. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A HILLY COUNTRY ROAD AT THE RATE OF 40 TO 45 MILES AN HOUR. AS I WAS COMING DOWN AN INCLINE, I LOST CONTROL OF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE TAIL END WAS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE. AS I DECELERATED AND TRIED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED COMPLETELY TO THE RIGHT WHILE THE TAIL END OF THE CAR CONTINUED TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, I COULD SEE THE PART THAT WAS HOLDING THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE TO THE FRAME HANGING ON THE GROUND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CROSSOVER BEAM HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CROSSOVER BEAM HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CAR HAS A TENDANCY TO DRIFT RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE TRAVELING. MORE PRONUNCED DRIFT WHILE STOPPING. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. DEALER INSPECTION INDICATES GEARS IN GEAR BOX ARE LOOSE AND GEAR BOX NEEDS REPLACING AND VEHICLE NEEDS ALIGNMENT. SECOND SET OF FRONT TIRES ARE WORN DOWN TO WEAR BAR AFTER ONLY 13,000 MILES. COST FOR GEAR BOX REPLACEMENT AND FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS $900. DEALER STATED NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR STEERING/GEAR PROBLEM. *TR

CAR HAS A TENDANCY TO DRIFT RIGHT OR LEFT WHILE TRAVELING. MORE PRONUNCED DRIFT WHILE STOPPING. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. DEALER INSPECTION INDICATES GEARS IN GEAR BOX ARE LOOSE AND GEAR BOX NEEDS REPLACING AND VEHICLE NEEDS ALIGNMENT. SECOND SET OF FRONT TIRES ARE WORN DOWN TO WEAR BAR AFTER ONLY 13,000 MILES. COST FOR GEAR BOX REPLACEMENT AND FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS $900. DEALER STATED NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR STEERING/GEAR PROBLEM. *TR

BOLTS THAT HOLD FRONT SUSPENSION TO BODY FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. 4 BOLTS - 3 ALMOST ALL THE WAY OUT AND 1 MISSING!!!! LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL! *TR NO LOCK WASHERS ON THESE BOLTS FROM FORD! THEY ARE ALL GOING TO FALL OUT!

BOLTS THAT HOLD FRONT SUSPENSION TO BODY FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. 4 BOLTS - 3 ALMOST ALL THE WAY OUT AND 1 MISSING!!!! LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL! *TR NO LOCK WASHERS ON THESE BOLTS FROM FORD! THEY ARE ALL GOING TO FALL OUT!

2008 FORD TAURUS X. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A VERY LOUD RUMBLING NOISE INSIDE *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER, THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AS RECOMMENDED BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PIRELLI TIRES WERE KNOWN TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND THEY WOULD CHECK THE ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT, THE NOISE WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 50%. THAT LASTED 6 MONTHS AND THEN THE NOISE RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL LOUDNESS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO EITHER LIVE WITH THE NOISE OR REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES AT HIS EXPENSE. *JB

2008 FORD TAURUS X. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A VERY LOUD RUMBLING NOISE INSIDE *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER, THAT THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AS RECOMMENDED BUT THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT PIRELLI TIRES WERE KNOWN TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND THEY WOULD CHECK THE ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT, THE NOISE WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 50%. THAT LASTED 6 MONTHS AND THEN THE NOISE RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL LOUDNESS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO EITHER LIVE WITH THE NOISE OR REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES AT HIS EXPENSE. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2008 FORD TAURUS X (49K MILES) WENT INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE ON 6/21/2010 AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO TEAM FORD. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL WORKING INTERMITTENTLY SO WE ASKED THAT THIS PROBLEM ALSO BE FIXED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR SHOP. THE SERVICE MANAGE SAID THAT THEY WERE BACKED UP ON THE TRANSMISSION (8 OF THEM - NOT GOOD) AND WOULD BE A WHILE SO THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PARKING BRAKE FIRST. THE NEXT DAY, 6/22/2010, I RECEIVED A CALL TELLING ME THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED UP ON THE RACK TO INSPECT THE REAR END, THE SERVICE TECH NOTED THAT THERE WAS UNEVEN WEAR ON THE PASS. SIDE REAR TIRE AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE BRACKET ON THE SUBFRAME ATTACHING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN (A CRACK THAT HAD PULLED APART). I WAS INFORMED THAT OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE BROKEN SUB-FRAME AND BRACKET, A $2500 PART, WHILE MY POSITION IS THAT THIS IS COVERED AS IT IS A "LINK". I THEN WENT AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE CRACK. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MONTHS AS WE BOUGHT IT USED FROM GUADIN FORD WHEN IT HAD JUST 37,560 MILES ON IT ON 8/6/2009. IT WAS ALSO A FORD CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY THAT MUCH CORROSION COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO WEAKEN THE BRACKET IN UNDER 10 MONTHS, FAIL PARTIALLY, AND HAVE THE TIRE NOTICEABLE WEAR UNEVENLY. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THIS "DAMAGE" WAS FROM "MIS-USE" OF THE VEHICLE. FUNNY THING IS, THE BRACKET WAS THE ONLY "DAMAGE". NOT EVEN SCRATCHES OR SCRAPES, OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, A FLAT TIRE OR WHEEL DAMAGE FROM A MAJOR IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO BREAK A HIGH STRENGTH SUSPENSION PART. IT HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOBODY EITHER CAUGHT IT OR ADMITTED CATCHING IT. THERE ARE MORE SPOTS OF CORROSION ON THIS PART WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS EITHER DEFECTIVE RUSTPROOFING OR COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE TYPE OF STEEL USED TO MANUFACTURE THIS PART. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION OF OUR 2008 FORD TAURUS X (49K MILES) WENT INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE ON 6/21/2010 AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO TEAM FORD. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL WORKING INTERMITTENTLY SO WE ASKED THAT THIS PROBLEM ALSO BE FIXED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR SHOP. THE SERVICE MANAGE SAID THAT THEY WERE BACKED UP ON THE TRANSMISSION (8 OF THEM - NOT GOOD) AND WOULD BE A WHILE SO THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PARKING BRAKE FIRST. THE NEXT DAY, 6/22/2010, I RECEIVED A CALL TELLING ME THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED UP ON THE RACK TO INSPECT THE REAR END, THE SERVICE TECH NOTED THAT THERE WAS UNEVEN WEAR ON THE PASS. SIDE REAR TIRE AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE BRACKET ON THE SUBFRAME ATTACHING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN (A CRACK THAT HAD PULLED APART). I WAS INFORMED THAT OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE BROKEN SUB-FRAME AND BRACKET, A $2500 PART, WHILE MY POSITION IS THAT THIS IS COVERED AS IT IS A "LINK". I THEN WENT AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION IN THE CRACK. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 10 MONTHS AS WE BOUGHT IT USED FROM GUADIN FORD WHEN IT HAD JUST 37,560 MILES ON IT ON 8/6/2009. IT WAS ALSO A FORD CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY THAT MUCH CORROSION COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO WEAKEN THE BRACKET IN UNDER 10 MONTHS, FAIL PARTIALLY, AND HAVE THE TIRE NOTICEABLE WEAR UNEVENLY. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THIS "DAMAGE" WAS FROM "MIS-USE" OF THE VEHICLE. FUNNY THING IS, THE BRACKET WAS THE ONLY "DAMAGE". NOT EVEN SCRATCHES OR SCRAPES, OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, A FLAT TIRE OR WHEEL DAMAGE FROM A MAJOR IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO BREAK A HIGH STRENGTH SUSPENSION PART. IT HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOBODY EITHER CAUGHT IT OR ADMITTED CATCHING IT. THERE ARE MORE SPOTS OF CORROSION ON THIS PART WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS EITHER DEFECTIVE RUSTPROOFING OR COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE TYPE OF STEEL USED TO MANUFACTURE THIS PART. *TR

I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 75 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND LOST CONTROL OF MY 2008 TAURUS X. MY VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES, ALMOST OVERTURNED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED. A WITNESS SAID MY CAR WAS GOING SIDEWAYS AND HE COULD NOT BELIEVE IT DIDN'T ROLL. THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF OF THE SUB FRAME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD AN ENGINEER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AS THEY SAID THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING. FORD HAS TO BEEN COOPERATIVE. I WANTED TO TALK TO THE ENGINEER OR SOMEONE FROM FORD BECAUSE I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED NEAR A STEEP EMBANKMENT OR HEAVY TRAFFIC, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I HAD MY 2YR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME. IF THERE ARE MORE INCIDENTS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THEY ARE TRUCKING IN NEW PARTS AND FORD MOTOR CO. WANTS THE OLD PART. *TR

I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 75 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND LOST CONTROL OF MY 2008 TAURUS X. MY VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES, ALMOST OVERTURNED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED. A WITNESS SAID MY CAR WAS GOING SIDEWAYS AND HE COULD NOT BELIEVE IT DIDN'T ROLL. THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF OF THE SUB FRAME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD AN ENGINEER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AS THEY SAID THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING. FORD HAS TO BEEN COOPERATIVE. I WANTED TO TALK TO THE ENGINEER OR SOMEONE FROM FORD BECAUSE I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED NEAR A STEEP EMBANKMENT OR HEAVY TRAFFIC, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I HAD MY 2YR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME. IF THERE ARE MORE INCIDENTS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THEY ARE TRUCKING IN NEW PARTS AND FORD MOTOR CO. WANTS THE OLD PART. *TR