1988 FORD TAURUS Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE WOULD RESET ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN UPDATED 1/23/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AT STOPS, WITH BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED A SMALL UNUSUAL ENGINE HUM BEGINS. THEN, IT INCREASES RAPIDLY AND LOUDLY. THE BRAKES SEEM TO SINK TO THE FLOOR. UPDATED 02/11/2013 *JS

Mileage: 110,000

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S FUEL LINE. *MR CONSUMER WAITING FOR SETTLEMENT ON REPAIRS MADE ON FUEL PUMP, ENGINE MOUNTS, POWER BRAKE BOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER, AIR CONDITIONER, MANIFOLD, TIRES, AND TRANSMISSION. *LA

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *PH

Mileage: 53,000

SUB FRAME BOLTS BROKE MOTOR MOUNTS ON ENGINE AND BOOT ON STEERING---BOLTS WERE DEFECT ALL FOUR BOLTS---PUT STRESS/STRAIN ON ENGINE/STEERING

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. ENGINE PULLED AWAY FROM MAIN FRAME DUE TO DEFECTIVE BOLTS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING BOOT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SUB FRAME FAILURE, OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE INCLUDE: TFI MODULE, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BLOWER MOTOR WAS OVERHEATING, FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *SLC

RUBBER MOUNTS DETERIORATED, CAUSING THEM TO CRACK IN HALF, DEALER REPLACED. *SLC

STRUT ROD LOCATED BETWEEN LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FRONT OF SUBFRAME UNDER RADIATOR ON ONE SIDE, CAUSING ROD TO MOVE A HALF INCH. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK THE MOUNT IN THE FRAME BROKE CAUSING THE STRUT ROD TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH AND WORE OUT THE BUSHINGS. *YH

FOR THE LAST YEAR MY CAR HAS BEEN DYING FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE SEVERAL THINGS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS TO THE POINT THAT I CAN'T ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE, IT CAN DIE AT ANY TIME. A FRIEND TOLD ME THAT IN THE RECENT NEWS FORD IS FIGHTING A LAWSUIT OVER TAURUS' THAT ARE DYING THE SAME WAY MINE IS. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BUT WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE MY PROBLEM IN THE CATEGORY OF "UNSAFE" PROBLEMS.

2:30 IN THE AFTERNOON ON SEPT 20TH..I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY TAURUS AROUND TOWN,BURIEN WA. I WAS GOING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MPH. AND I WAS 4 BLOCKS FROM HOME WHEN MY CAR WENT DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. NO WARNING SIGNS..NOTHING..JUST CAME TO A DEAD HALT..I LOOKED DOWN AT THE GAGES AND I NOTOCED MY CAR SAID OVERHEAT..IT WAS IN THE RED...THAT CAR NEVER HAD AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM..ALL PROPER LIQUIDS WERE IN THE CAR..SO I COULDNT START THE CAR AND I'M STUCK ON A BRIDGE IN A 2 LANE TRAFFIC AREA AND THE START OF RUSH HOUR. I CANNOT START THE CAR. I HAD TO BE TOWED 4 BLOCKS TO MY HOME EVER SINCE THAT DAY MY CAR IS UNABLE TO START. I SAW IN THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE FORDS BECAUSE OF A DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW THAT CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE TO STALL...MY FATHER PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 1988 IN CALIFORNIA AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM 4YRS AGO..SINCE HAD NEW TRANNY IN..NEW RACK PINION AND SAT FOR 2 YRS AND STARTED DRIVING AGAIN IN 99 NO PROBLEMS SINCE UNTIL THIS STALL ON THE BRIDGE . PLEASE RESPOND IF THIS FITS THE CRITERIA OF THE RECALL

MECHANIC STATED THAT BAD MOTORS MOUNTS OR BAD CYLINDER IN THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHUDDER THEN LUNGE FORWARD WHEN DECELERATING THEN ACCELERATING SUCH AS IN A TURN. *ET

CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. WE HAVE LIMITED OUR USE OF THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH IT STALLING UNEXPECTANTLY DURING TRIPS OF ANY LONG DURATION. THE CAR IS USED ONLY ON VERY SHORT TRIPS OF LESS THAN 10 MILES. CAR HAS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC SO THEREFORE DID NOT DRIVE IT ON FREEWAY TRAFFIC. IF THE CAR SET FOR A HALF HOUR OR MORE IT WOULD START AGAIN BUT STALL AGAIN IF TRIP WAS OF ANY LONG DURATION. STALLED ON A FAMILY VACATION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END ACCIDENT. DURING ONE TRIP OF 30 MILES CAR STALLED AND TRIP ENDED UP TAKING 2 HOURS TO TRY AND DRIVE THE CAR HOME WHEN THE USUAL TRIP WOULD HAVE TAKEN 30-40 MINUTES. CAR GUAGES WOULD NOT SHOW ANY OVER HEATING OR PROBLEM.

TEMPERATURE WENT UP, AND LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE VAPOR CAME FROM OUT OF TAIL PIPE. DEALER SAID WARRANTY DID NOT EXTEND BACK THAT FOR BECAUSE OF THE YEAR OF VEHICLE. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO BREAKDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND HAD TO BE TOWED. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE 2 WATER PUMPS, RADIATOR, OIL PUMP AND HEAD SEALS IN ADDITION TO ENGINE WORK. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CHANGING LANES VEHICLE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLS. WHEN THE CAR OVERHEATS, THE WIRING HARNESS SITUATED BY THE AIR CONDITIONING AND RIGHT REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARMENT THE CONDENSOR, HEATS UP ALSO.THIS HAPPENS DURING HOT WEATHER. *AK

LEMON SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT. FORD WON'T HONOR HERTZ RESALES. AT 31K ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION BLEW; MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, LIST OF DEFECTS WOULD BE TWO PAGES LONG--SOME MAY STEM FROM SEVERE CORROSION ON UNDERSIDE BUT CAR WAS ONLY ON EAST COAST FOR 1 YEAR. FORD NONRESPONSIVE. *AK

I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS DOCUMENTING ALL FAILURES AND I SEE FROM NUMEROUS WEBSITES THAT OTHER TAURUS CUSTOMERS ARE FURIOUS AT MANY PROBLEMS OF THIS CAR. ADVERTISING BY FORD SEEMS ALMOST FRAUDULENT AND BASED ON NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO THEM I BELIEVE THIS CONSTITUTES DELIBERATE FRAUD. THOSE OF US WHO HAVE INTEGRITY HAVEN'T PASSED OUR LEMON CARS ON TO OTHER POOR IGNORANT SOULS BUT THE ENTIRE OWNERSHIP PERIOD OF THIS FORD TAURUS HAS CAUSED ME TO SUFFER SEVERE DEPRESSION AND STRESS AND HAS CAUSED INJURY ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS. I'M AT THE POINT OF JUST DONATING THE CAR TO CHARITY FOR PARTS BUT I INTEND TO BECOME VOCIFEROUSLY INVOLVED IN LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD. NO WONDER THE TAURUS IS NO LONGER THE BEST SELLING CAR IN AMERICA. BUT I THINK IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET FORD FOR THIS. THEIR BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK

FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY HOT, VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO FIND A REASON FOR THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR THE SUBFRAME CORROSION RECALL, WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC FOR CHECK UP, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS WERE MISSING, DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL CONSUMER HER ENGINE MOUNTS WERE MISSING, WHEN SHE BEGAN TO DRIVE THE ENGINE WAS MOVING AROUND.

FORD TAURUS - HISTORY OF MULTIPLE FAILURES EVEN ON THIS INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE. AXLE FAILED TWICE, CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED TWICE (DIFFERENT UNITS), FRONT DRIVE AXLE SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE, PLASTIC RADIATOR FATIGUED AT MOUNTING POINT AND CRACKED. I WANTED TO ADD THIS INFO FOR YOUR HISTORICAL RECORDS. *AK

FORD TAURUS - HISTORY OF MULTIPLE FAILURES EVEN ON THIS INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE. AXLE FAILED TWICE, CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED TWICE (DIFFERENT UNITS), FRONT DRIVE AXLE SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE, PLASTIC RADIATOR FATIGUED AT MOUNTING POINT AND CRACKED. I WANTED TO ADD THIS INFO FOR YOUR HISTORICAL RECORDS. *AK

NEED MANUFACTURER TO CONFIRM EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION FOR US.

DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE TFI IGNITION CABLE WHICH BURNED THE COIL, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED THE R&R DRIVE BELTS/SPEED CONTROLCABLE, AND PERFORMED VEHICLE TUNE UP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED.

WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO ENGINE OIL PUMP PREMATURELY WEARS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET INSTALLED IMPROPERLY RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. MJS

CONTAMINATION FOUND UNDER VALVE COVER GASKET AFTER REPLACEMENT. MJS

MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE THREE OR FOUR TIMES, AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR REPAIRS. WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER CAN HEAR KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. ALSO, WHENEVER GOING INTO ANOTHER GEAR, THERE IS A PROBLEM AND VEHICLE STALLS. CONSUMER JUST GOT A TUNE UP. *AK

THE ENGINE GASKET SEAL CRACKED, CAUSING AN OIL LEAK WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN GETTING INTO VEHICLE AND TURNING THE HEAT ON, THERE IS A BAD SMELL GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK

THE BOLT IN THE HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE OFF, MAKING THE PULLEY IN THE CRANKSHAFT INOPERABLE, CAUSING LOSS STEERING CONTROL. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLS. THERE IS KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A LOUD NOISE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING SMOKE WOULD COME OUT THE BACK AND THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WOULD COME ON. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED ENGINE BEARINGS AND NEW BOLTS FOR THE BEARING MOUNTS. *AK *ML

TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED FROM THE RADIATOR/ENGINE STALLS AT REDUCED RPM

CAR WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION BUSINESS, AND THE SERVICE PERSONEL COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS TYPICAL FOR A FORD TAURUS THAT JUST TURNED OVER 100,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE MADE IT TO 115,000. WHEN I ASKED HOW MUCH THIS WOULD COST, THE GAVE ME THE PRICE AND TOLD ME THAT FORD JUST GAVE THEM A BULLETIN WHICH WOULD INSTALL A TRANSMISSION IN A TAURUS AND SABLE (BOTH HAVE THE SAME ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION) THAT WOULD LAST FOR 2 YEARS! THEY COULD ONLY WARRANT THIS TRANSMISSION FOR TWO YEARS! AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION BUSINESSES, THEY ALL SAID IT WAS TYPICAL FOR A FORD TAURUS, JUST OVER 100,000 MILES TO NEED A TRANSMISSION. WHAT A RIP-OFF.

IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY,WHEN ENGINE IS ON BLOWER,FAN FAILS TO OPERATE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING OF THE MOTOR.

THE ENGINE DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY.

EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED. *AK

RADIATOR FAILED, TWO WATER PUMPS FAILED.

RADIATOR FAILED, TWO WATER PUMPS FAILED.

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO CONSUMER'S REQUESTS TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT CLASP FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IN ADDITION, INTERMITTENT STALLING/HESITATION DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING WHEN A/C IS RUNNING. *AK

ENGINE CONTINUES TO STALL RESULTING IN POWER STEERING AND BRAKE LOSS.

WHEN TEMPERATURE GAUGE REACHES THE MIDWAY POINT THE VEHICLE STALLS AND CUTS OFF. OWNER DOES NOT RECEIVE INDICATION THAT THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO CUT OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF, IT TAKES ABOUT 40 MINUTES TO COME BACK ON. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE TOP COAT OF PAINT S COMING OFF THE VEHICLE; THE TOP, FENDER, TRUNK, DOORS AND BACK FENDER. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS STEAMING.TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO SAID THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.

SUBFRAME BOLTS RUSTED, CAUSING MOTOR, TRANSMISSION, STEERING COLUMN TO DROP/LOSS OF CONTROL.

REPLACED ENGINE MOUNTS, ALSO REPLACED REAR SPRINGS AND RUSTED FRONT SPINDLES. *AK

ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTS BROKE.

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE, ALSO REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND TRANSMISSION PAN/LINES. *AK

ENGINE REPLACED.(SECOND VEHICLE ON 505462)

HUSBAND STARTED VEHICLE, TURNED IT OFF, WIFE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, SON SAID VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, SOMETHING BLEW IN VEHICLE, FIRE DEPT PUT OUT FIRE. *AK

MOTOR LOCKED UP DUE TO HOLE IN HEAD GASKET, STARTER FAILED, AND ENGINE CYLINDER TAKING IN WATER.

MOTOR LOCKED UP DUE TO HOLE IN HEAD GASKET, STARTER FAILED, AND ENGINE CYLINDER TAKING IN WATER.

ENGINE FIRE. *DH

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN A LOUD BOOM WAS HEARD AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN A LOUD BOOM WAS HEARD AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK

UPON PARKING, MOMENTS LATER FOUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON FIRE. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE (ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE). PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOW SOURCE OF FIRE *AK

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOW SOURCE OF FIRE *AK

HYDRAULIC MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *DSH

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE (1ST VEHICLE ON #501120). *TT

WATER PUMP BROKE. *SD

RECALL RELATED 93V106000, IN FOR REPAIR, WHILE DRIVING SUBFRAME MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE WHILE DRIVING , AFTER REPAIR. TT CONSUMER STATES WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING THE STEERING JUST WENT DEAD.*JB

THE MOTOR MOUNT FELL OFF DUE TO RUST. TT

ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD/GASKET FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL, ALSO WHITE SMOKE AND ANTI-FREEZE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE. *AK

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED/REPLACED TWICE. *AW

ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK.

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, REPLACE OXYGEN SENSOR/FAN CONTROL/INJECTORS. TT

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, REPLACE OXYGEN SENSOR/FAN CONTROL/INJECTORS. TT

RADIATOR HOSE LEAKS ANTI-FREEZE.

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

REPLACED FAN BELT/SERPENTINE BELT, ALSO REPLACED ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS.