NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
182 reportsClear category filter59,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
ON AUG. 4, 2003, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP. ON AUG. 5, 2003, MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP, AND HESITATING BEFORE SLAMMING INTO FIRST UPON ACCELERATION. ON AUG. 6, 2003, MY CAR STOPPED SHIFTING BACK INTO FIRST WHEN IT NEUTRALIZED AT A STOP. IT HAD TO BE MANUALLY SHIFTED TO PARK, AND BACK I…
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ON AUG. 4, 2003, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP. ON AUG. 5, 2003, MY CAR WAS SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL ON A STOP, AND HESITATING BEFORE SLAMMING INTO FIRST UPON ACCELERATION. ON AUG. 6, 2003, MY CAR STOPPED SHIFTING BACK INTO FIRST WHEN IT NEUTRALIZED AT A STOP. IT HAD TO BE MANUALLY SHIFTED TO PARK, AND BACK INTO DRIVE. IF I TURNED OFF THE OVERDRIVE, WHICH IS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED ON THIS CAR, SHE DROVE LIKE NEW, BUT IF I FORGOT TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE MY OVERDRIVE, MY CAR VERY LOUDLY REMINDED ME TO SHUT IT OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10070815
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
REBUILT TRANS. NOV. 2000, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MAY 2003 DUE TO THE TRANS. NOT GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. REPLACE SOLENOIDS IN TRANS. IN JUNE 2003 AND THAT STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PAID $1600.00 TO REBUILD AND $250.00 TO REPLACE SOLENOIDS.
NHTSA ODI #10070389
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
THIS CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS OUT , THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT COMES ON, THE UNDERNEATH SUSPENSION SQUEEKS AND GROANS, THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THE WHEEL DOESN'T TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. NOW THE COMP…
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THIS CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS OUT , THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE REPAIR LIGHT COMES ON, THE UNDERNEATH SUSPENSION SQUEEKS AND GROANS, THE BRAKES SQUEAK, THE WHEEL DOESN'T TURN WHEN THE CAR STALLS OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. NOW THE COMPUTOR SYSTEMS ARE NOT WORKING THE AIR CONDITIONING. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET THE RADIO AND THE AIR CONDITIONING TO START UP. THESE THINGS HAPPEN BUT NO ONE CAN FIND A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10070128
119,925 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
IN MAY 03 FORD SAID TRANS. WAS JUST WORE OUT. HAD REBUILT BY AAMCO AND THEN AT THE END OF JULY TRANS. HAD NO PARK, WAS JUST LIKE IN NUTRAL. ON THE WAY TO AAMCO TRANS. FELL APART. AAMCO TRYED TO SAY WE DID SOMETHING WRONG, BUT DECIDED THAT WE COULDN'T HAVE SO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND A NEW CASE FOR ARE AX4N TRANS. NOW…
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IN MAY 03 FORD SAID TRANS. WAS JUST WORE OUT. HAD REBUILT BY AAMCO AND THEN AT THE END OF JULY TRANS. HAD NO PARK, WAS JUST LIKE IN NUTRAL. ON THE WAY TO AAMCO TRANS. FELL APART. AAMCO TRYED TO SAY WE DID SOMETHING WRONG, BUT DECIDED THAT WE COULDN'T HAVE SO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND A NEW CASE FOR ARE AX4N TRANS. NOW. IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO WEEKS NOW AND STILL CAN NOT FIND A CASE. HOPE THEY FIND SOON SO CAN GET CAR BACK AND GET RID OF IT, NEVER TO OWN ANOTHER FORD. THIS CAR HAS HAD CONTINUAL SMALL BUT STILL PROBLEMS NEVER THE LESS SENCE WE PURCHASED IT. HAVE BEEN A FORD LOVER ALL MY LIFE AND AM KIND OF SAD TO SAY I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD.
NHTSA ODI #10069642
120,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentPower Train
ENG SIZE 3.0 TRANSMISSION TYPE AX4S OR AXODE , TRANSMISSION JUST STOP PULLING FORWARD, HAD CAR SINCE OCT. 1998 BOUGHT USED ALWAY HAD PROBLEM WITH JERKING WHEN CHANGING TO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR FROM DAY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT CAR . TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT THE JERKING WHEN CHANGING GEAR HE SAID THE THE WAY THE CAR WAS MADE. CAR IS IN SHOP…
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ENG SIZE 3.0 TRANSMISSION TYPE AX4S OR AXODE , TRANSMISSION JUST STOP PULLING FORWARD, HAD CAR SINCE OCT. 1998 BOUGHT USED ALWAY HAD PROBLEM WITH JERKING WHEN CHANGING TO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR FROM DAY ONE WHEN I BOUGHT CAR . TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT THE JERKING WHEN CHANGING GEAR HE SAID THE THE WAY THE CAR WAS MADE. CAR IS IN SHOP NOW FOR TRANSMISSION WORK. THEY SAID IT MUST BE THE COMPUTER , COULDNT FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE ON 1996 TAURUS . I AM TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR. I KNOW FORD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10069491
97,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS YOU DESCRIBED IN YOUR FEBRUARY 2001 ARTICLE ON ANOD E TRANSMISSIONS. THE CAR HAS 97K MILES ON IT AND I BELIEVE THE USED CAR DEALER KNEW IT HAD PROBLEMS WHEN HE SOLD IT TO ME BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE CAR UNTIL I VISITED THIS WEBSITE. I BELIEVE I WILL USE THE LEMON AID CAR BOOK IN TRY…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS YOU DESCRIBED IN YOUR FEBRUARY 2001 ARTICLE ON ANOD E TRANSMISSIONS. THE CAR HAS 97K MILES ON IT AND I BELIEVE THE USED CAR DEALER KNEW IT HAD PROBLEMS WHEN HE SOLD IT TO ME BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE CAR UNTIL I VISITED THIS WEBSITE. I BELIEVE I WILL USE THE LEMON AID CAR BOOK IN TRYING TO GET EITHER FORD OR THE DEALER TO DELIVER. THE DEALER WAS CALLED FLEET DEPOT IN BRIDGEVILLE, PA I AM GOING TO THE CLOSEST DEALER KENNY ROSS AND HOPE I MAY GET SOMETHING RESOLVED. SINCERLEY, PAUL K. LITTLE
NHTSA ODI #10069366
37,000 miles · Dec 29, 2003
Power Train
HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR 2 TIMES . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051286
50,000 miles · Sep 14, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HAS HAD A VIBRATION AND TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS, I HAVE HEARD RUMORS THAT OTHER TAURUS OWNERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEMS. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 ADULT DRIVEN MILES ON IT AND THIS SEEMS OUT OF THE ORDINARY FOR AN AUTO WITH SO FEW MILES. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10038878
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. DUE TO A BROKEN TORQUE CONVERTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10038213
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2003
Power Train
I OWN A 1996 FORD TARAUS GL. THE TRANSMISSION IN IT HAS FAILED TWICE. EACH TIME, IT SUDDENLY STOPPED PULLING, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF A PENDING MALFUNCTION. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC, BUT, FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMI…
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I OWN A 1996 FORD TARAUS GL. THE TRANSMISSION IN IT HAS FAILED TWICE. EACH TIME, IT SUDDENLY STOPPED PULLING, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF A PENDING MALFUNCTION. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC, BUT, FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT ACCOUNTS FOR ITS FAILURE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND ASKED THAT THEY INSPECT IT. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE REFUSED SUCH AN INSPECTION. IN AS MUCH AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS A DESIGNED FLAW AND SAID FLAW WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE, I FEEL THAT AN INSPECTION COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO EITHER VERIFY OR RULE OUT ANY DESIGNED PROBLEMS. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE INSPECTION WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST ECONOMICAL APPROACH TO RESOLVING A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, AS OPPOSED TO WAITING FOR SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS TO OCCUR FIRST.I FEEL THAT SAFETY IS COMPROMISED WHEN A TRANSMISSION FAILS IN THE MANNER THAT THIS ONE DID; IN TRIFFIC AND WITHOUT ANY WARNNING OF PENDING MALFUNCTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10032797
Official recalls
6Mar 25, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER FORD SERVICE BULLETIN 97-17-9 FROM AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 1997. THESE VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENLY EQUIPPED WITH AN 18-GALLON FUEL TANK RATHER THAN THE 16-GALLON AS SPECIFIED. THE 18-GALLON TANK HAS A SECOND VALVE LOCATION WHERE A SHIPPING PLUG SHOULD BE INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
Sep 18, 1996
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.
Sep 5, 1996
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
Aug 12, 1996
THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS A VACUUM DIAPHRAGM THAT WAS DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE OF THE REGULATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DIAPHRAGM TEARS OR RUPTURES, LIQUID FUEL COULD ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PLENUM THROUGH THE VACUUM LINE RESULTING IN EITHER RELEASE OF FUEL FROM THE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY OR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. FUEL RELEASE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THOSE REGULATORS PRODUCED DURING THE SUSPECT TIME PERIOD WILL BE REPLACED.
May 14, 1996
THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.
Jan 25, 1996
THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS INTENDED WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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