RoadVitals

2004 Ford Taurus Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
44
Latest Oct 1, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 375 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 44 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 44, in the owner's own words

Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED IN THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11362300
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE GEAR SHIFTER LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER (DEACON JONES FORD-LINCOLN LOCATED AT 3301 MCLAIN STREET, GOLDSBORO, NC 27534 PHONE NUMBER 800-921-7994) WHO CONFIRMED THEIR FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THEIR VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
11299088
Incident
Jan 13, 2020
Mileage
135,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID
11206327
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
123,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 4, 2018

I AM FILING DUAL COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE, FIRST WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AUTHORITY AND A SECOND CONSUMER COMPLAINT WITH MR. PATRICK MORRISEY, ATTORNEY GENERAL WEST VIRGINIA. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS A CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION TO HELP RESIDENTS IN THE EVENT OF A SAFETY CONCERN AND A CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT BRINGS A CONCERN TO THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND THE CONSUMER. UNDER "SPEED CONTROL" AS CHECKED OFF, THIS INCLUDES SYSTEMS AND DEVICES INTENDED TO CONTROL (ACCELERATE) THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO THE DRIVER'S INTENT SUCH AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES, LINKAGES, ACTUATORS, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS AND SOFTWARE, CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ACTUATORS AND DEACTIVATING SYSTEMS, AND OTHER COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS THAT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM (E.G., FLOOR MATS). MY 2004 TAURUS HAS NEARLY 90,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL. ON MULTIPLE INCIDENTS IN 2017 MY TAURUS WOULD WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR INDICATIONS SUDDENLY BEGIN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I DESCRIBE IT TO OTHERS AS HAVING TO THROTTLE STICK. I WAS FREAKING OUT, BECAUSE CARS BEHIND ME DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND I WAS AFRAID THEY WOULD EASILY BECOME COLLATERAL DAMAGE. I PUT THE CAR INTO NUETRAL AND THE ENGINE ON ITS OWN VOLITION REVVED UP TO OVER 4000 RPM. A PERSON ON THE SIDE WALK THOUGHT I WAS ABOUT TO STRIKE THEM AS THEY JUMP OUT OF THE WAY. I LEARNED 150 FAULTY SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM COMPLAINTS, 6 INJURIES, AND 1 DEATH. THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THE NHTSA HAS KNOWN SINCE 2004, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED AS A RESULT AND EVEN DEATH REPORTED BUT STRANGELY NO SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE AND TRAGIC PROBLEM, WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON I AM FILING THE DUAL COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL MORRISEY. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FROM SUCH ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11058565
Incident
Dec 22, 2017
Mileage
89,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING AROUND 70 AND, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE RPM'S REVVED UP REALLY HIGH (INTO THE 7000'S) AND THE CAR INDICATOR SAID CHECK TRANSMISSION. I QUICKLY CHANGED LANES AND GOT ONTO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF MY CAR. I LET IT SIT FOR TEN MINUTES WHILE I CHECKED FOR VISIBLE PROBLEMS. FINDING NONE, I THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND PUT IT IN GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I TRIED IT IN EVERY GEAR BUT THE CAR STILL REFUSED TO MOVE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT SAID THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND I HAD DONE SOME RESEARCH OVER THE PHONE WHILE WE WERE WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE FAULT OF A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. FORD ACTUALLY HAS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD TORQUE CONVERTERS AND DID A RECALL FOR THEIR 2004 FREESTAR WHICH I HAD HEARD USES THE SAME TORQUE CONVERTER AS THE TAURUS. AFTER RESEARCHING, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP INSTEAD AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS INDEED BAD. THE SPLINES HAD STRIPPED OUT AND/OR BROKE. IT COST $1400.00 TO REPLACE IT FOR A CAR THAT HAD A LITTLE OVER 57000 MILES. DURING MY RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS OTHERS WHO HAD EVEN LESS MILEAGE ON THEIR TAURUS'S WHEN THEIR TORQUE CONVERTERS DIED.

NHTSA ID
11053446
Incident
Nov 28, 2017
Mileage
57,500 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FAIL AT TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHEN DEPRESSING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE PEDAL PROPERLY. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E026000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11004740
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 2, 2017

MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V106000 (FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S12-MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE APRIL 5, 2004). YET, IT'S NOT FLAGGING MY VIN AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE BADGE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHOWS THE CAR WAS BUILT 02/2004. IT'S BEEN DOING IT A LONG TIME OFF AND ON, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TILT STEERING WHEEL. THE GEARSHIFT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED BY THIS RECALL. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP WITH THIS MATTER! *TR

NHTSA ID
10939049
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
204,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10908164
Incident
Aug 30, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2016

I RAN BY A FRIENDS HOUSE TO PICK UP AN ITEM. AFTER PUTTING MY GEAR SELECTOR IN REVERSE I REALIZED THAT I NOT ONLY COULDN'T BACK UP, BUT COULD NOT GET ANY GEAR TO ENGAGE! MY TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY ZERO INDICATION THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO DIE.

NHTSA ID
10903508
Incident
Jun 16, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,666.

NHTSA ID
10888702
Incident
Apr 12, 2016
Mileage
172,666 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE GEARS AND, AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10888697
Incident
Apr 4, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SWITCH OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10853211
Incident
Apr 2, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 30, 2015

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED IN TRANSMISSION, WHICH LED TO TOTAL FAILURE. ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW WHILE DRIVING. GOT TO SHOULDER, AND HAD CAR TOWED. THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. FORD WILL NOT RECALL OR HELP. SPLINE IS TO THIN, AND, OUT OF SPEC. IN REGARD TO THICKNESS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10680023
Incident
Jan 2, 2015
Mileage
103,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2014

COMING DOWN POWAY ROAD IN POWAY, CA IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND IT SEEMED THE ENGINE WAS REVVING. I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE TURNOUT AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP COMPLETELY AS THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY. WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE ENGINE SPEED WAS OVER 2500 RPM. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND COULD SMELL THE BRAKES. SUSPECTING A STUCK THROTTLE, I REMOVED THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING HELD OPEN BY THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WHICH HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AREA. I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY AND PUSHED IT ASIDE SO WE COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. I CONSIDER THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A GRADE AND I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE WAS PUSHING US FASTER. SINCE IT WAS SATURDAY I DRIVE TO THE DEALER. I KNEW THERE HAD BEEN A SIMILAR RECALL I CHECKED TO SEE IF OUR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND IT WAS NOT BUT THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE RECALL WHICH FORD HAD DONE AS "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13B04" WHICH HE PROVIDED ME A COPY OF. I HAVE SEEN THIS IN MY SON'S 2002 FORD TAURUS ALSO. THE CLIP THAT HOLDS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE TO THE THROTTLE LINKAGE DISCONNECTS AND BECAUSE OF THE STIFFNESS, ACTUALLY PREVENTS THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE. ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT FAILED, I CAN SEE THE SAME LINKAGE ON MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE WHICH OF COURSE IS A REPACKAGED TAURUS. THIS CLIP IS A VERY POOR DESIGN IN THAT IT DOES NOT DO A GOOD JOB OF HOLDING ONTO THE ACCELERATOR PIN. FROM OBSERVATION I KNOW THAT IT WAS USED IN AT LEAST 3 MODEL YEARS AND PERHAPS MORE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN A COURTESY FIX AS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE SHOWN. IT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ANY VEHICLE THAT USED THIS DESIGN. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF IF IT WILL FAIL BUT AS OUR EXPERIENCE TODAY SHOWS, WHEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660295
Incident
Nov 22, 2014
Mileage
130,802 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 6, 2014

WHEN I DRIVE, THE GAS PEDAL WILL GET STUCK AND EITHER STAY AT THE SPEED WITHOUT ME SETTING CRUISE CONTROL OR IT MAY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. TO GET IT LOOSE, I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE GAS PEDAL (WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING), THIS USUALLY STOPS THE PROBLEM BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT SOMEDAY IT WILL STOP WORKING AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO CONTROL THIS ANYMORE. IF I PUT THE CAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL IT INCREASES THE RPM FROM 1 TO 3 OR 4. ALSO IF THE RPM ARE INCREASED WHILE IN PARK IT MAKES IT SUPER HARD TO SHIFT TO DRIVE AND IS STRESSFUL TO MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10652985
Incident
Sep 23, 2014
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Nov 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10652727
Incident
Sep 15, 2004
Mileage
150,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 8, 2014

WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND THERE WAS A LOUD AND HARD BUMP, TRANSMISSION REPAIRED NOW AFTER HAVING CAR BACK FOR 1 WEEK WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT HARDLY MOVES AND SHUDDERS AND SHAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10620807
Incident
Jul 14, 2014
Mileage
53,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 27, 2014

TRANSMISSION LOST ALL GEARS WITH NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10585143
Incident
Apr 18, 2014
Mileage
148,547 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 19, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO RELEASE FROM PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID
10552939
Incident
Sep 1, 2013
Mileage
94,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 26, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,700.

NHTSA ID
10545458
Incident
Aug 14, 2013
Mileage
66,700 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2013

WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION I BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKE FOR RED LIGHT, THE RPMS SPIKED TO 4000. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN.TRIED TO TAP BRAKE AGAIN..NO CHANGE. PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TAPPED GAS TO FINALLY GET THE RPMS TO LOWER TO AT LEAST 2000 LEVEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 OTHER TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543456
Incident
Jul 3, 2013
Mileage
116,442 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 3, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,854. UPDATED 12/5/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFT CABLE WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10538467
Incident
Aug 31, 2013
Mileage
142,854 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 13, 2013

I OWN A 2004 FORD TAURUS SES V6 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I DROVE TO WORK WITH NO WARNING SOUNDS, SMELLS, OR WARNING LIGHTS, AND IT DROVE PERFECTLY. I ATTEMPTED TO GO TO LUNCH, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JUST FINE, BUT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS/REVERSE ECT. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS, AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AS FAR AS I KNOW SO FAR THE FORD FREESTAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE & A CLASS ACTION WAS FILED & THEN FORD FOLLOWED UP WITH A RECALL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD WITH NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR RESOLUTION. I FEEL SICK TO BE OUT SO MUCH MONEY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. OF COURSE I DO FEEL LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENED LIKE MANY OTHERS. FORD SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THIS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10511777
Incident
Apr 28, 2013
Mileage
114,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 1, 2013

DROVE FROM WORK TO HOME, PARKED CAR. WHEN I WENT TO GO START CAR, IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER.UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION WITH FRIENDS THEY TOLD ME TAURUS/SABLE WERE KNOWN FOR BAD CONVERTERS, WENT ON INTERNET TO INVESTIGATE INFORMATION AND HAD HUGE RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10496106
Incident
Jan 29, 2013
Mileage
56,717 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 23, 2012

I SPENT 4 HOURS AT NIGHT WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. ALL MOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRYING TO GET THIS POS OFF THE ROAD. THAT WAS $150 FOR THE TOW AND NOW I NEED TO SPEND MORE TO GET THIS 2004 TAURUS RUNNING. I AM A FORD FAN AS YOU CAN TELL BY MY EMAIL ADDRESS. I EVEN DRAG RACE MUSTANGS. I AM THINKING ABOUT GOING HONDA FOR MY DAILY DRIVER. PROBLEM WAS A IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINE. HAS LEFT 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF US STRANDED. GIVES OUT WITH NO WARNING. CAR JUST STOPS MOVING. CAR WAS DOWN FOR 1 WEEK AND COST ENDED UP BEING JUST OVER $1000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10485866
Incident
Sep 15, 2011
Mileage
90,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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