Faults:

At approximately 15,000 miles, a sensor failed for the EGR system. This was covered by the warranty and was promptly repaired (apparently, there is TSB out on this).

I also had to replace the brake light switch located on the pedal at 52,000 miles.

Cassette player on radio failed at 53,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car handles fairly well and has excellent safety features.

Spares are cheap (brake light switch was $17.00) and so are the operating costs.

Excellent gas mileage (highway 26 mpg)

Decent power and comfort features.

Maintaining the transmission (AX4N) on this model has been a priority for me as I don't feel like changing the transmission any time soon... (service regularly, use synthetic fluid).

Faults:

We have had to replace the rotors twice on this car in three years, non of which was covered by the manufacturer warranty. Also due to the bad brakes we had to put four new tires on at 36K miles (they should have lasted 50K miles at least). Additionally we had about $700 worth of engine work at 50K miles. Most recently this car left us stranded at midnight with a broken starter.

General Comments:

In summary I would NEVER buy another FORD again. There is a reason people say FORD stands for (Fix Or Repair Daily). Save your money and your sanity and buy a different car. The only nice thing I can say about the car is that is comfortable to ride in.

Faults:

There were paint defects and surface rust that were repaired before I purchased it. I also had to replace the wiper park relay ($20 at dealership).

As it ages, I'm sure I will find other things, but so far it's been good.

General Comments:

Drives well with the smaller horsepower Vulcan engine, but I'm not that demanding on the performance side. Plenty of back seat room for two kids going on to becoming teenagers soon.

Am investigating getting a disabling switch for the front passenger air bag.

Fords courtesy e-mail exchange was reasonably prompt and got back to me in a few days with answers about that feature.

There is a squeaking sound in the suspension on the front left that will have to be looked into soon and a rattle of the heat shield when stopped.

Minor annoyances, but not bad for a car with such high mileage.

Faults:

Transmission replaced after 5000 kms. when a leak could not be repaired. Turned out to be a faulty housing in the manufacture of the transmission.

Leaking power steering pump.

General Comments:

This is a very comfortable car and safety features are outstanding. I still need to drive the car longer to see about the reliability. My other Taurus (a 1990 model) has 340 000 kms. and is still going strong.

Faults:

Front end vibration.

Front rotors replaced.

Engine stalls when air conditioner is on.

Windows squeaks when put up or down.

Whistling noise in cabin, windshield.

Windshield has crack all the way across.

General Comments:

The front-end vibration is really annoying. The dealer has replaced an axle, tires, rims, anti-sway bar, and brake rotors. The problem still exists.

The front rotors were replaced at 30,000 miles. I did not think that it was necessary at this interval.

The engine stalls, or wants to stall when I have the air conditioner on and the car is in park. I have found a technical service bulletin online, and told them I know there is a problem with it. They deny it and say it is normal.

The whistling noise in the cabin is actually the front windshield. I found out there would be a recall issued on certain models on March 30 2003. One month after owning the car, a slight chip in the windshield caused it to crack all the way across.

I am considering trying to get the car replaced, or repairs done under the Lemon Laws of the state that I live in.