NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
182 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
AFTER COMING OFF A GREEN LIGHT, AT ABOUT 15 MPH, TRANSMISSION FLUID BEGAN TO LEAK AND THE RPM'S REVVED WITH NO FURTHER ACCELERATION. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO AAMCO, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT SEAL HAD A MAJOR LEAK AND FAILED ALONG WITH THE STADOR AND TRANSMISSION. I ASKED HAYWARD FORD FOR RECALL OR TECHNICAL SERVICE ISSUE…
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AFTER COMING OFF A GREEN LIGHT, AT ABOUT 15 MPH, TRANSMISSION FLUID BEGAN TO LEAK AND THE RPM'S REVVED WITH NO FURTHER ACCELERATION. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO AAMCO, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT SEAL HAD A MAJOR LEAK AND FAILED ALONG WITH THE STADOR AND TRANSMISSION. I ASKED HAYWARD FORD FOR RECALL OR TECHNICAL SERVICE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY. I ALSO CALLED THE FORD COROPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE THE FORD ENGINEERS WOULD BE FORWARDED THE MESSAGE, BUT WOULDN'T BE GIVING ME A CALL NOR THE INFORMATION I NEEDED.
NHTSA ODI #746849
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE SOUNDS (WHIRLING). PROBLEM ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TO BE A WHEEL BEARING BUT ENDED UP NEEDING A TRANSMISSION COSTING ME $3100. DEALER (SLOAN FORD IN DOWNINGTOWN) WAS INCOMPETENT. I ENDED UP REPLACING TRANSMISSION AGAIN IN MAY OF THE SAME YEAR. GOT NO SATISFACTION FROM FORD. ENGINE WAS REPLAC…
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TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE SOUNDS (WHIRLING). PROBLEM ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TO BE A WHEEL BEARING BUT ENDED UP NEEDING A TRANSMISSION COSTING ME $3100. DEALER (SLOAN FORD IN DOWNINGTOWN) WAS INCOMPETENT. I ENDED UP REPLACING TRANSMISSION AGAIN IN MAY OF THE SAME YEAR. GOT NO SATISFACTION FROM FORD. ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 30000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION AT 54000MILES. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL ON 1996 TRANSMISSIONS (I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS RECALL) I AM VERY CURIOUS IF THIS COULD BE THE REASON FOR THE TRANSMISSION'S SHORT LIFE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746525
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
RPMS INCREASED WHILE CONSUMER WAS GOING 60MPH. IT KEPT REVVING WITHOUT GIVING ANY GAS. FINALLY IT QUIT RUNNING, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIFT IN A PARKING LOT. DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWICE WITH REBUILD TRANSMISSIONS, AND IT STILL WAS NOT CORRECT. DEALER ONLY WARRANTIED TRANSMISSION FOR 12,000 MIL…
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RPMS INCREASED WHILE CONSUMER WAS GOING 60MPH. IT KEPT REVVING WITHOUT GIVING ANY GAS. FINALLY IT QUIT RUNNING, AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIFT IN A PARKING LOT. DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWICE WITH REBUILD TRANSMISSIONS, AND IT STILL WAS NOT CORRECT. DEALER ONLY WARRANTIED TRANSMISSION FOR 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS. DEALER SAID THEY DIDN'T PUT IN NEW TRANSMISSIONS, THEY JUST REBUILD THEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #886321
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL SURFACE STREET, THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING THE GEAR LEVER MOVED THROUGH THE GEARS WITHOUT CATCHING, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING, VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION WAS BEYOND REPAIR APPARENTLY BECAUSE OF ITS DESIGN ACCORDING TO THE MEC…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL SURFACE STREET, THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING THE GEAR LEVER MOVED THROUGH THE GEARS WITHOUT CATCHING, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING, VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND FOUND THAT TRANSMISSION WAS BEYOND REPAIR APPARENTLY BECAUSE OF ITS DESIGN ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. *JB
NHTSA ODI #560560
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2001
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY AND TOTALLY FAILED. THERE WAS NO POWER AVAILABLE FOR THE CAR TO MOVE. THIS HAPPENED IN A LOW TRAFFIC AREA. IF IT HAD HAPPEND ON A HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE DISASTROUS.
NHTSA ODI #742575
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Power Train
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880876
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Power Train
MANUAL LEVER POSITION SENSOR FAILED AT ~50,000 MILES. AT ~75,000 MILES, LOST OVERDRIVE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FULLY REBUILT INCLUDING VALVE BODY, GASKETS, SEALS, PLATES, ETC. FORD MECHANIC IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA (KELLY FORD) SAID THEY WERE ALL BADLY WORN. CHARGED ME $2270 FOR COMPLETE REBUILD OF TRA…
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MANUAL LEVER POSITION SENSOR FAILED AT ~50,000 MILES. AT ~75,000 MILES, LOST OVERDRIVE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FULLY REBUILT INCLUDING VALVE BODY, GASKETS, SEALS, PLATES, ETC. FORD MECHANIC IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA (KELLY FORD) SAID THEY WERE ALL BADLY WORN. CHARGED ME $2270 FOR COMPLETE REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #740806
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND IT EMPTY, AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT A HOLE WAS BLOWN IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEARS RIPPED APART, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT AND STATES THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISISON…
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WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND IT EMPTY, AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT A HOLE WAS BLOWN IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEARS RIPPED APART, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT AND STATES THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISISON. *SLC TRANSMISSION SUFFERED AN INTERNAL MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN, A FAILURE OF THE DRIVE GEARS THAT REVOLVE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING, THE RESULT OF THIS FAILURE CAUSED THESE PARTS TO BE PROPELLED THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE. *SLC *JB
NHTSA ODI #559631
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE COOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS I DO NOT WANT TURNPIKE FORD TO DO REPAIRS ON MY CAR I KNOW THERE WORK AND DO NOT TRUST IT THAT IS WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED STILL GIVING US PROBLEMS THE COOLANT IN IT TURN TO A RUST THE HEATER WILL…
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THE COOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN RECALLED AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS I DO NOT WANT TURNPIKE FORD TO DO REPAIRS ON MY CAR I KNOW THERE WORK AND DO NOT TRUST IT THAT IS WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED STILL GIVING US PROBLEMS THE COOLANT IN IT TURN TO A RUST THE HEATER WILL NOT GET HOT NOW THE TEMPERNTURE HAND ON GUAGE STAYS DOWN ON THE C ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE TRIED TO CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AND THE WILL NOT GIVE US A ANSWER ON THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN TOLL THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOME SAY THAT FORD HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE IN SOME OF THE CARS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME I DO NOT HAVE THE FINICIAL MEANS TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #740206
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001
Power Train
SEAL BLOWOUT AND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. AAMCO ADVISED ME THE UNIT FAILED INTERNALLY. I HAD A FORD DEALER REPLACE THE UNIT. UNIT HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THIS IS COMMON FOR FORD TAURUS (NEVER HAD A FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION IN 32 YRS OF DRIVING, SO THIS ONE SEEMS LIKE A…
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SEAL BLOWOUT AND FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. AAMCO ADVISED ME THE UNIT FAILED INTERNALLY. I HAD A FORD DEALER REPLACE THE UNIT. UNIT HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THIS IS COMMON FOR FORD TAURUS (NEVER HAD A FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION IN 32 YRS OF DRIVING, SO THIS ONE SEEMS LIKE A HAZARD TO ME.)*AK
NHTSA ODI #739875
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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