1998 Ford Taurus brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A REAR PROPORTIONING VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10660573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP AT A LIGHT ON A HIGHWAY ACCESS ROAD, THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STOPPING. IT STARTED VIOLENTLY JERKING AND VIBRATING AND THE BRAKES WERE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE RPM'S READ IN THE 4'S. I PULLED OVER AND IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY REACHED 45 MPH WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS RELUCTANT TO HAVE IT REACH A GREATER SPEED SO I STOPPED THE VEHICLE. IT ONCE AGAIN DID NOT WANT TO RESPOND PROPERLY TO THE BRAKES. I CALLED FORD AND EPLAINED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING, THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT STICKS TO THE THROTTLE AND LEAVES IT OPEN. I ONCE AGAIN CONTACTED FORD FOR AN ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. I CALLED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID THAT PART IS AFTERMARKET AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS READING THE AOL VEHICLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED. I DON'T KNOW WHY FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS SERIOUS SAFET ISSUE IN A TIMELY MANNER.

NHTSA complaint #10499523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

APPLIED BRAKES WHILE STOPPED IN PARKING LOT,PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR,ALL BRAKE FLUID NOW UNDER CAR. UNABLE TO LIFT CAR,NO METAL EXISTED FROM FLOORPAN TO ROCKER PANEL BOTTOM. BRAKE LINES HAD BEEN AFFIXED TO THIS METAL,AND NOW HAD LOST SUPPORT/MOUNTING PLACE AND VIBRATED AND FELL APART. THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR LOOKED ALMOST NEW,BUT THE PLASTIC TRIM ON THE LOWER SILL HID THE PROBLEM OUTSIDE. NOW,THE DOOR SILL(BOTH SIDES)ARE GETTING SO BAD,WE ARE AFRAID TO STEP ON THEM,OR GO OVER A BAD BUMP OR RAILROAD TRACK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS,AS THIS METAL ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE-OUT,AS THOUGH IT NEVER WENT THRU A RUST PREVENTION BATH PROCESS. MY FRIENDS ARE CURRENT FORD PEOPLE OR,LIKE MYSELF,ARE RETIRED FORD PEOPLE,THEY SAID TAURUS VEH. CANT HAVE THIS EXTREME PROBLEM,BUT I DO. THANKS FOR ASKING.

NHTSA complaint #10475398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

IN JUNE 2008 I STARTED MY REGULAR YEARLY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE OF MY 1998 FORD TAURUS WAGON. I HAD MY OIL CHANGE & ROTATED/BALANCED MY TIRES. IN OCTOBER 2008 I HAD TWO TIRES REPLACED (ALL OF MY SERVICE WAS DONE @ A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY CITY) AND A MULTI-POINT INSPECTION FOR MY VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT MY CAR NEEDED REAR SHOCKS, AS THE OUTER CASING WAS ROTTED! LEFT INNER TIE ROD WAS LOOSE & FRONT BRAKES WERE WORN. I WENT IN ON OCT 23, 2008 AND HAD ALL OF THE WORK DONE!,$417.45 FOR FRONT BRAKES, RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS; REPLACED FRONT INNER TIE ROD. THEN ON 11/10/08 I WENT IN TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT IT FAILED, THE ROCKER PANELS WERE ROTTED OUT! I MADE AN APPT FOR 11/19/08 TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO FIX THIS & LEARNED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD & THAT I NEEDED TO FABRICATE NEW ONES! MY CAR, WHICH HAD 142,555 MILES ON IT, WHICH I THOUGHT TO BE IN PERFECT CONDITION, DID NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF SUB-FRAME ROT! THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS, WHO HAD JUST POCKETED $621.45 OF MY MONEY TO PERFORM WORK ON A CAR THAT THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT! IN SEARCHING FOR ESTIMATES TO REPAIR THIS DAMAGE I LEARNED THAT ALL TAURUS' RUSTED IN THE SAME PLACE! UNDER THE ROCKER PANEL COVERS, RIGHT WHERE MINE WAS ROTTED. I WAS TOLD BY EVERY COMPANY TO JUNK MY CAR! I CALLED FORD TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS AND WAS ONLY TOLD "YOUR CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY". I JUST LEARNED TODAY ABOUT RECALLS ON FORD VEHICLES DUE TO SUBFRAME ROT! MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IT AND HAVE NOT JUNKED IT YET BECAUSE I AM SO SADDENED THAT IT WAS NEVER FIXED BY FORD. I HAVE EVERY RECEIPT FOR ALL THE WORK PERFORMED ON MY CAR AND WOULD LIKE MY CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE UPDATED RECALLS ON FORD VEHICLES! THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10393721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE GOING TO WORK BOTH BRAKES LINES ON DRIVERS SIDE WENT BAD AFTER CHECKING WITH MECHANIC. WAS TOLD BOTH LINES WAS ROTTED AWAY. I DO HAVE TO ORDER PARTS FROM FORD. WHICH IS GOING TO CAUSE ME 265.00 TO FIX . MY CAR HAS 49000 MILES. NO REASON WHY BRAKES LINE FAIL NOT A OLD CAR ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF.

NHTSA complaint #10175705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA complaint #10160123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH MCDONALDS WHEN BRAKES FAILED, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOOKED OUT OF CAR AND SAW BRAKE FLUID ON GROUND. CONSUMER WALKED TO GARAGE, AND WAS TOLD BRAKE LINE WAS BENT WHICH CAUSED IT TO RUST. BRAKE LINE WAS LOCATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BRAKE LINE WENT FROM FRONT TIRE TO REAR TIRE. WHEN BRAKE WENT OUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. LIGHT WAS YELLOW WITH PICTURE OF AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DASH IN VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SEPARATING.

NHTSA complaint #10124628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

TOOK 1998 FORD TAURUS (DURATEC 3.0) IN FOR COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH. WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES, I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND A REAR STABILIZER BAR WAS BROKEN, AND A FRONT AXLE SEAL WAS LEAKING. THOSE ARE CLEARLY MATERIALS DEFECTS, AS WE TAKE EXPERT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS SINCE WE DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT. THE POOR QUALITY ROTORS THE FACTORY INSTALLS ON THESE CARS CONTRIBUTES TO WARPING, WHICH WOULD BE NOTICEABLE BY A PULSING WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10112705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKESTHE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WORN HOUSING SHAFT UNIT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10074406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES: FRONT BRAKE ROTORS CONTINUE TO WARP IN SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE ON 26 FEB 99, WITH 14622 MILES ON IT, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE DISC ROTORS 3 TIMES AND ALSO HAVED THEM TURNED (CUT) 3 TIMES. THIS TIME (AUGUST 03) I HAVE HAD THEM DONE BY A MECHANIC. AT LEAST 40% OF THE MILEAGE THAT I HAVE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HIGHWAY MILEAGE. OTHER: VEHICLE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY. THIS HAPPENED APROX. 2 YEARS AGO. SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM DEALER, WHICH WAS DELIVERED DO TO A RECALL, MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS BECAME VERY DIME AND WERE OF NO BASIC USE. UPON RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, IT WAS FIRST STATED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE DYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, ONCE THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED, THEY THEN IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM TO SOME ELCTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. DO TO THE COST, APROX $250.00, I CHOSE NOT TO HAVE IT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10070660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING)

BRAKES IN THE REAR ARE GRINDING REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST.

NHTSA complaint #10054410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE PEDAL BECAME SOFT WHEN DEPRESSING. THIS CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10046129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

ABS WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ECU AND HCU. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10034068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES WORK INTERMITTENLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10031677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE FAILURE ON 1998 FORD TAURUS.

NHTSA complaint #10030318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR,WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER PUMPED THE BRAKES 2-3 TIMES AND THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO GO TO THE FLOOR. THEN HE QUICKLY DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO FIRST GEAR AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP JUST SHORT OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER 10 MILES, THE BRAKES WERE WORKING NORMAL. THREE PEOPLE WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. *PH

NHTSA complaint #10027290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE AT A SET SPEED WHEN GOING DOWN HILL. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WELL BEYOND PRESET SPEED. VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE 15 MPH OVER PRESET SPEED. BRAKES ROTORS WARP CONSTANTLY. ROTORS HAVE BEEN RESURFACED OR REPLACED OVER 5 TIMES. ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT DECREASE WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT RELEASED. DEALER CLAIM ALL TAURUS WITH 3.0L DURATIC ENGINES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM NO TECHNICAL BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO RESOLVE ANY OF THESE ISSUES. THIS REQUIRES CONSTANT BRAKING AND CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTES TO ACCELERATED BRAKE WEAR AND POSSIBLY THE ROTORS WARPING SO OFTEN. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NONE HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. NHTSA HAS COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS IN YOUR ELECTRIC FILES REGARDING THESE SAME ISSUES, YET NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. WHY? *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**751827

NHTSA complaint #10006940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I HAVE A 98 FORD TAURUS AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WOULD KICK BACK AND I COULD HEAR A POPPING SOUND. SO I TOOK IT TO A CARE PLACE AND THE HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER IT SAID A BAD PASSENGER REAR SENSOR. $200 LATER THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. NOW THEY SAY IT IS THE MAIN MODULAR SENSOR OH THAT'S $700. WELL THE BAD THING IS I KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS SUPPOSE TO BE A SAFE VEHICLE. BUT I'M NOT IMPRESSED AND WOULD NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN. I THINK WITH THIS MANY COMPLAINTS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10008390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING LOSS ALL BRAKING ABILITY, CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF CAR FLIPPED OVER. CONSUMER STATES THAT GREY SMOKE FILLED CAR, POWER WINDOWS LOCKED UP. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING LOSS BRAKING ABILITY, LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. CONSUMER GREY SMOKE STARTED TO FILL CAB AREA, POWER WINDOWS WERE NOT WORKING. CONSUMER FEELS LUCKY ONE OF THE WINDOWS WAS HALF WAY DOWN, AND CONSUMER CRAWLED TO SAFETY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AND WIT NO WARNING WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ,CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8017569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

THE CRUSE DOSENT HOLD WHEN GOING DOWN HILL IF SAT A 60 , IT WILL INCREASE TO 75 OR MORE .ALSO THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF CAR THE FASTER AND IN INCLINE IT GETS VERY VERY LOUD. AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES A LOT.ALSO FORD HAS GRINDED DOWN THE HUBS THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE BRAKES ARE GOING BAD AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #765972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE STATION TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE ABS COMPUTER WENT. AT ONLY 67000 MILES? WHAT GIVES? $600.00 REPAIR. ALSO DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BULB IN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS SO THE BATTERY DOESN'T RUN DOWN. CAR SQUEAKS WHEN MAKING TURNS, A/C RATTLES. NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #765065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ROTOR SERVICE ON FRONT END OF VEHICLE ONCE EVERY YEAR FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, HOWEVER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TIRES SHAKING, CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT WHEELS WHEN TURNING, AND SQUEAKING NOISE IN REAR END WHEN BRAKING. THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER MAKE A BUZZING NOISE, THE BRAKES PULSATE. THE REAR RIGHT BRAKE AND ROTORS FAILED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE MAKES A BUZZING NOISE WHEN START. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO BATTERY FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #8014309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE BRAKES FAILED AND WAS FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.

NHTSA complaint #562978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

DURING NORMAL BRAKING VEHICLE JERKS AND PULSATES, DEALER STATES DRUMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #8007689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE BRAKES FAILED AND WAS FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.

NHTSA complaint #562978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.