1992 FORD TAURUS Steering Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR MOUNTING ATTACHMENT FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE DETERIORATED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ROAD SALT, DEBRIS, AND OTHER NATURAL MATERIALS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY HAZARDS. IF THE ENGINE CRADLE IS NOT SUPPORTED, A LOSS OF STEERING AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR. HE WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER PROVIDED HIM WITH A REASSEMBLY KIT, AS IF THE FAILURE WERE COMMON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN

Mileage: 137,000

1992 TAURUS STEERING PROBLEM. *TS

DT: 1992 FORD TAURUS. THE U SHAPED HOUSING THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE RUSTED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD, ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED. ALSO, THE FRONT, EMERGENCY, SERVICE AND REAR BRAKES WERE NO GOOD, THE KEY BROKEN IN THE IGNITION. THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ACQUIRED VEHICLE FROM AN AUCTION HOUSE. HE HAD A MECHANIC INSPECT IT, AND FOUND IT WAS BAD. HE TOOK IT BACK THE AUCTION HOUSE AND HE KEPT THE TITLE. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE ODOMETER . THE INCIDENT DATE HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE REJECTED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO CAPITAL AUCTION 603-622-9058.*AK

Mileage: 154,553

CONSUMER STATES WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THERE WAS A NOISE, IN WHICH THE SUBFRAME HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME MOUNT FAILED, IT CAUSED THE STEERING TO GO OUT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *SCC

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THERE IS A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING. DRIVER FEELS THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

FOLLOW-UP -- I.E., ADD'L COMPLAINTS ABOUT FAILURES FOR SUCH A LOW-MILEAGE CAR. THESE CAUSED SAFETY PROBLEMS AND ALSO CONCERN BY CONSUMER'S CERTIFIED MECHANIC. MANUFACTURER SHOULD ASSIST FOR PAYMENT OF DEFECTS AND FAILURES. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

TIE ROD ENDS CONTINOUSLY BREAK. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO CHANGE THEM 5 TIMES ALREADY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID IT WAS REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR.*AK

WOULD BE DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHEN GOING OVER 65MPH. VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK AND STALL OUT. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND A BROKEN TIE ROD WAS FOUND.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS WHILE DRIVING FROM 30-65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR. *SLC

PIN-LIKE HOLE IN STEERING HOSE CAUSED FLUID TO SPRAY ONTO THE EXHAUST WHICH CREATED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. NLM

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT, THE TIE ROD END SNAPPED OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND THROWING THE CAR TO STOP. FORTUNATE FOR MY WIFE THAT SHE WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY AAA TO A FORD DEALER WHERE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED FOR 170 DOLLARS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE PASSENGER TIE ROD COULD SIMILARLY SNAP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY!

IF THIS PART FAILURE HAPPENED AT SPEED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS, POSSIBLY CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND SENSIBLY DRIVEN. I AM FRIENDS WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND KNOW THAT HE TOOK EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF THE CAR AND ALSO DROVE IT VERY CONSERVATIVELY. I HAVE THE FAILED PART AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF YOU NEED IT. I BELIEVE THE PART FAILED DUE TO POOR MACHINING OR INCORRECT HEAT TREATING. AS POPULAR AS THIS MODEL IS I FELT IT VERY IMPORTANT TO REPORT THIS SITUATION.*AK

PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN AND RIGHT SIDE INNER TIE ROD BROKE. ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, INNER TIE ROD ON THE LEFT SIDE BROKE. BOTH OF THE TIE RODS BROKE BY THE BALL JOINT. BOTH TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN ONE MONTH. I BOUGHT IT FROM AN AS-IS DEALER WITH ONE-YEAR WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION. WE FOUND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON JANUARY 21, AND HAD MY CAR CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. THE REPORTED PROBLEM WAS POWER STEERING LEAKING AND THEN THE RELATED PRESSURE AND RETURN HOSES WERE REPLACED. IT SEEMED OK. BUT ON JANUARY 26, MY CAR WAS SUDDENLY ON FIRE WHEN WE WERE DRIVING WITH OUR TEACHER. WE HAD TO CALL 911 TO SMOTHER THE FIRE. MANY WIRINGS WERE DAMAGED, THUS THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN ANYMORE. AND LATER WE STILL FOUND THE POWER STEERING LEAKING. IN BOTH CASES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DEMONSTRATED EVERYTHING WAS OK EVEN WHEN THREE PERSONS WERE ON FIRE! IS THE AUTO SAFE? COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO FIND AN AUTHORIZED OFFICE IN RENO, NV TO INSPECT THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FIRE? THANK YOU. *AK

TURNING RIGHT AFTER STOP, CAR MADE A POP NOISE. CAR VEERED LEFT ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE AND HIT STATIONARY METAL POLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO AUTOMOBILE BODY AND SUSPENSION. CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BY INSURANCE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE BUILT IN; WHEN KEY IS PULLED THE STEERING WILL LOCK AND LOCK INTO PARK. THIS IS OCCURRING WITH KEY IN OR OUT, AND WITHOUT BEING PULLED OUT AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. *AK

THE RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD END BROKE IN HALF WHILE BACKING OUT, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. FORD MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *YC

WHEN VEHICLE IS WARMED UP & WOULD START TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES IN THE RIGHT FRONT. SOUNDS LIKE METAL TO METAL. TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. HAD BOTH STRUTS, TIE RODS, OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED. NOISE STILL EXISTS. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK

WAS LEAVING FROM THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE WATER BOTTLE FELL AND CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PICK IT UP, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL/ WENT OFF THE ROAD,RESULTING IN A CRASH. DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND THE RESIDUE FROM THE AIRBAG DID SOMETHING TO CONSUMER'S FACE AND LEFT A 7 INCH SCAR. CONSUMER ALSO SUFFERED A WHIPLASH, AND LOST 15 POUNDS. *AK

STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN WHEN DRIVING AT ANY TIME WHICH MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

TIE ROD FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING DRIVER TO LOOSE STEERING ABILITY AND CROSS THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A SIGN AND TREE.RECALL CAMPAIGN #98S36. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).

WHILE DRIVING AT 5MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN TIE ROD END BROKE, CAUSING LEFT WHEEL TO STAY STRAIGHT UP. WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN WHILE THE RIGHT WHEEL MADE THE LEFT TURN, MAKING A SCREECHING SOUND. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND RETURN LINES FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE.

POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND RETURN LINES FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE.

OUTER TIE ROD CAUSED FRONT END LOOSENESS.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THERE IS CORROSION WITHIN THE STEERING, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD OR MAKING A SLIGHT TURN. *AK *ML

INNER TIE ROD FRACTURED. (QCAW)

STEERING COLUMN BROKE AT THE TUBE ASSEMBLY

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO REPLACED TIED ROD/ENGINE VALVE OVER AND CRACKED SERPENTINE BELT. *AK

POWER STEERING RACK SEAL LEAKS.

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT , REPLACE FRONT TIE RODS THREE TIMES, PUT BRAKE ON, TO NO AVAIL.

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS.

STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.

TIE RODS FAILED.

HORN FAILED DUE TO FAILED CONTACT ASSEMBLY IN STEERING COLUMN.

INNER TIE RODS BROKE, CAUSING THE FUEL LINES TO BREAK ALSO, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. IN ADDITION, THE WHEEL POINTED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION. PRIOR INVESTIGATION OPEN. *AK

STEERING WILL NOT TURN PAST A CERTAIN POINT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE ON CURVED ROADS.

CONSUMER STARTED TO TURN INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN TIE ROD BROKED DUE TO MISSING MOTOR MOUNT BOLT. FORD HAS A BULLETIN ON BOTH COMPONENTS. *AK

THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A LOOSE COLUMN BOLT. IT HAS A LOT OF FULL PLAY IN IT. LOOSE PLAY WAS CORRECTED BY TIGHTENING THE BOLTS. *AK

TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL SINCE PURCHASED NEW.

WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE FREE POSITION THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE PARK POSITION UNLESS YOU WIGGLE KEY A BIT FIRST. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES THE FIRST TIME. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. *AK

BELT TENSIONER FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER.

TIE RODS WORN.

POWER STEERING PUMP LEAK.

RACK AND PINION FAILURE.

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE STEERING WAS LOOSE, AS A RESULT, THE FRONT RIGHT TIE ROD HAD BROKE. *AK

OUTER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF.

INNER TIE ROD SNAPPED/SHEARED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING.

STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND LOST ITS POWER ONLY ON LONG RIDES. *AK

RIGHT INNER TIE ROD SHAFT BROKE. *DSH

DRIVER EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *AK

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES. *SD

POWER STEERING LEAKED.

WHILE DRIVING, LOST ENGINE POWER; DIFFICULT STEERING/BRAKING; LOW SPEED; WIRE THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO EEC/FUEL PUMP BROKE. TT

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL.

INNER TIE ROD BROKE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT BETWEEN TWO OTHER CARS.

REPLACED WORN TIE ROD IN. *AK

NOISE IN VEHICLE UNCERTAIN IF ITS THE STEERING OR TRANSMISSION. TT

STEERING WHEEL HAS 1 TO 2 INCHES OF FREE PLAY, WITH CONSTANT WANDERING. FORD DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED DUE TO LEAK. *SD