Faults:

Just after I bought it the battery went dead - had to replace it. Mechanic said sometimes it happens to the batteries like an internal short or something. Now after 5 yrs, I got a dry squeaky noise in the parking lots when turning. My car has only 125K km on it, but the dealer says tie-rods have to be replaced. It's 350CAD - what a rip off. I guess I have to do it. Otherwise great car, just keep changing oil every 5K.

General Comments:

Good car. Very comfortable on long trips. Drove it from Texas to California and back. Then drove from Texas to California to British Columbia and Alberta. Huge trunk. Not very sporty, but provides reliable every day transportation. I like it. Very low maintenance.

Faults:

The car goes through brakes fairly quickly. Rotors warp quickly and many mechanics will not turn them as they are composite rotors. However, they are a cheap replacement.

Transmission is beginning to fail - slips or completely disengages at times. It also has started to hesitate when switching gears.

General Comments:

I drive the Taurus pretty hard and have been happy that it has taken the stress without much complaint.

After 178000 miles, I expect a few things to start going bad - transmission, engine seals, etc.

It has served me well and I am considering a newer Taurus as a replacement for when this one finally dies.

Faults:

I bought the car from my father. He take awesome care of his cars. Thought it was the deal of a life time and it was until...

The head gasket blew after three weeks. I didn't know it was hot because the temp. gauge was stuck on cool.

I then had strange electrical short outs.

Car died while driving and would not start again. Melted wires.

Cruise control went out.

Would delay then lunge into gears.

Air conditioner is leaking.

I was told it was a transmission problem. Took it to a trans shop, they said not a trans problem, it's an engine problem. Took it to an engine shop and told not an engine problem, but a trans problem. Back to trans shop. Oh why yes it needs a new transmission. Took it one more place and all it was was a melted speed control sensor.

Now the car surges as you maintain a constant speed. Only good for rocking babies to sleep. Not good on the stomach. Latest diagnoses is engine problem.

General Comments:

I am thinking of donating it for a tax write off or starting a new ocean reef with it.

My Festiva only needed brakes, tires and a muffler and I had it for ten years.

Ford has left a bad taste in my mouth. I'll keep my 1999 Tahoe and put this one out of it's misery.