Faults:

Dealer I bought the car from only gave a one week warranty. The week after I bought it the remote key less entry system shorted. Cost $300 to replace.

One month later at 87000 miles the engine pulley snapped while I was driving down the freeway with my 1 year old niece. Belt also broke when this happened. Was in the shop for a week and cost $500 to fix.

Two months later at 87860 miles, the drivers front door handle stopped working. I took the door handle apart, but did not see anything wrong. Mechanic said the whole door handle assembly would need to be replaced. It would cost $200. I refuse to pay for that. I now roll down my window and open the door from the outside.

One week later at 87921 while driving in 100 degree weather my air conditioning compressor went out causing the A/C to completely quit working. Mechanic said it would be over a thousand dollars to fix. I can live without the A/C.

General Comments:

This car has great handling and is very quick when it needs to be. It is great on long trips and is very comfortable.

I bought this car because of the space inside. I am six foot five so I need a bigger car. It is very roomy but has given me nothing but problems. I owned a 1986 Pontiac Firebird before this car and sold it to buy this car. I paid 8,600 for the car and still owe 5,000.

I wish I could sell it, but these cars are only worth around 2,000 dollars.

Faults:

Spark knock since nearly new with 87 octane fuel; fine with 89 or higher octane.

Premature wear on rear brakes; rear drums were worn to the steel in the lower third; drums on front portion were nearly new in appearance. Replaced all brakes plus drums and rotors at 75k.

Had to have crankshaft bearings replaced at 57k; it was excessive clearance. The oil light would flash below 1000 rpm if engine had been running approximately 60 minutes or longer.

Anti-lock brakes periodically engage on level ground and in dry weather. Began at around 50k.

Excessive fuel consumption since purchase. In similar driving environment, one tank has yielded 12 mpg with the next yielding around 20 mpg.

I have dumped gallons of fuel injector cleaner and carbon cleaner in this car, to no avail on fuel consumption and pre-detonation issue.

Sometimes it makes terrific power, sometimes it strains to pull itself.

Sometimes brakes have a hard pedal when first started. Draining all brake fluid and flushing system did not fully remedy the problem.

General Comments:

Don't buy anything that started life as a rental.

Do maintain it as close to recommended as you can. I have, but it has still been problematic.

I have missed my '96 Thunderbird a lot since buying this car.

It is comfortable to drive and looks great on the inside, despite it harboring a child from age 5 months to age 7.

I've driven many other Taurus's of this vintage, and none have had the challenges this one has had.