Faults:
11,500 miles, my radiator started leaking. ($300 fix)
17,100 miles, my transmission started slipping (I was really low on transmission fluid, and just added fluid and it has been fine since)
25,000 miles, my car overheated (bad thermostat, $10 fix)
General Comments:
This is my first car and I really like it, but I am very scared that it will end quickly, and I think I have been very lucky.
I have heard nothing but bad things about the engine and the transmission in these cars. I am a 19 year old single mom of twins, and I would not want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere with my 1 year old twin boys. I am very lucky to have only been stranded down the street from my house, and also very lucky to not have a bad transmission or a bad engine.
My friend has a 1997 Ford Taurus, which is the same as this car, and it had to have the transmission and head gaskets fixed, like one after another. That kills money.
My car is so far pretty reliable, but I just hope it stays that way. I got this car for free pretty much, my Grandma can't drive anymore so she gave it to me, and she rarely even drove it, which is why I got it with only 8,250 miles. But then again, it is also an 11 year old car.
25th Oct 2012, 17:34
The Ford 3.0 V6 is one of the most durable and problem free engines out there. I have purchased over one hundred of these engines, and have not had one intake or head gasket failure. Not sure why you're having problems, but it is not the 3.0.