Faults:

My power steering pump and hoses blew.

My transmission shifts a little funky now.

Front wheel bearings went.

Funky clear coat paint.

General Comments:

All in all, I love this car like a brother, although this was my first car I ever owned. The only things that are worrying me are the transmission and the fuel pump (which I will replace myself).

I will never part with my Taurus LX.

Faults:

Numerous small oil leaks.

Power steering fluid hoses needed replacing (badly designed system!)

Ignition module failed, motor switched off at 50 MPH in the middle of the street.

Fuel pump broke down and had to be replaced.

Decomposition of interior material due to exposition in sunlight.

General Comments:

In the 1.5 years I have owned the car, I spent over $1500 in repairs.

If the 1988 Taurus has a tendency towards oil leaks, my car is not an exception.

It is very comfortable though and the interior is a classic of "modern" car design, it has enough room for large persons like myself and comfortable seats.

Somehow I like it anyway.

Faults:

Transmission went out last week. Before that problems have been with the alternator last summer.

Fuel pump & computer controller went out in 1998.

General Comments:

The 1988 Ford Taurus is a tank that can handle years of abuse. I am the third owner (after my parents). The car is much more rugged than it looks. Will take a pound of abuse and still make it back down a mountain. Have gotten it stuck in snow, swamp, grasses and ditches.

The Taurus is a BEAST!! Even after 340,000 miles that car still looks great! The ride is terrific, but the steering needs work.

Faults:

Clutch needed to be replaced.

Headlight lenses dulled.

Seat bracket broke.

Leaks water.

Electric windows.

Tie rod.

Fuel injection leak.

General Comments:

Over all this was a dependable, durable, and inexpensive car to own. It was a good value and we were very pleased with it.

It was under-powered, but got great gas mileage as a result.

Faults:

The forward gear went out on the transmission.

Nothing else.

General Comments:

It is a car just like any other. Depending on luck sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you don't.

Everyone I talk to say that they like their Taurus. This car is cool, it got me and my girlfriend home in reverse after the prom, now that is a car. This is built Ford tough.

Faults:

Just about everything that could go wrong with this car has gone wrong. Two months after I got the car the transmission blew out (left me stranded in the middle of New Mexico in the snow). Cost $2000 to replace. Heater core went out ($200). Transmission went out again ($2000), fuel pump ($180), engine leaks oil constantly, transmission leaks constantly, replaced the motor mounts two different times. Major problems with leaking radiator (probably because it's made of plastic).

All in all I've spent about $5000 trying to keep this car alive. I can't go anywhere without wondering if it's going to break down again.

General Comments:

STAY AWAY FROM ANY FORD TAURUS, THEY ARE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE!!! The only good thing that I can say is that it has a very comfortable ride (when the car is actually working).

Faults:

Oh lots of things.

Replaced motor mounts several times.

Transmission has been rebuilt. Leaked transmission fluid since we got it 12 years ago.

Power steering pump blew out. It fried a couple alternators.

Luckily most of this was covered under warranty and since I have owned it the only problem has been twelve year old lights failing as well as a brake lamp switch. Oh ya, and the paint has been fading despite my best efforts. But I hear that was because it was Fords first year with clearcoats.

General Comments:

The car has lots of room, a fair amount of power and drives straight as an arrow. Dealer service sucks in general but Mercury/Lincoln is much better. I would opt for a Sable just to get Mercury service.

Faults:

Only the water pump broke, that's the only repair in 12 years.

General Comments:

I love my wagon.