Faults:
These are just the highlights:
The transmission has been replaced three times. The first time, I had less than 10,000 miles on my car and had owned it for less than a year. I was the original owner. The second and third times came approximately a year apart for each of the following two years.
There have been several recalls including the need to replace the gas tank, seat belts, sensors, and five or six others I can't remember exactly. I have a HUGE stack of papers detailing all the work that has been done on my car and all the recalls.
I have had to replace the neutral safety switch twice.
My check engine light started coming on in 1998. Five years and five thousand dollars later, I have had approximately 8 months in which the light didn't come on. Just in time for emissions testing for my annual inspection, I had problems again. In my county, your car has to pass emissions testing for the inspection to pass.
I believe there are around 32 sensors related to the engine in my car. I have replaced 15 of them.
The catalytic converter has been replaced.
The oxygen sensor has been replaced.
The mass air flow sensor has been replaced.
The torque converter has been replaced.
The spark plugs had to replaced at 35,000 miles!
The battery died way before it should have.
The brakes have been replaced twice.
I think the back seat of my car has been used approximately 10 times. You can imagine my shock that the interior panels are popping out (the ones between the passenger door and the rear window).
One of the springs in the driver's seat (the back) is popping out.
The exterior paint started peeling three years ago despite appropriate care.
The chrome trim has taken on a peeled/tarnished look.
The turn signals and brake lights have electrical problems I continue to have to have repaired.
This car gets all recommended servicing and is driven gently. I can honestly say that I have not done anything, but provide the Ford recommended care to this car and follow the servicing guidelines. I have had it for 8 years and it has less than 70,0000 miles on it.
The dealerships refuse to admit there is a problem with the car and consider me unreasonable in my beliefs that as representatives of Ford, they should be eager to make good on the $35,000 I've spent on purchasing and repairing this car.
23rd May 2004, 17:27
Thanks for the super review, have you had any transmission problems?