38 of the
1,264 complaints about the 2001 Ford Taurus are about the
electrical system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
59,737 miles.
SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN OFF MEANING ... TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT HAS TO SAY 1 ST. ON THE DASH REVERSE IS WHERE DRIVE IS OR D. ... YESTERDAY I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A HUGE THUNK AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR HAD FROZE THEN AFTER MESSING WITH THE SHIFT ARM IT WENT THUNK AGAIN AND I GOT IT HOME BUT CANT DRIVE ANY FARTHER ..I ALSO HAVE HAD ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT ONE DASH LIGHTS INSIDE WONT WORK NEXT DAY BLINKER NEXT DAY RADIO NEXT DAY HEAD LIGHTS .... AND THE FRONT END THUNKS WHEN DRIVING AND IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ROAD ...IT FEELS
NHTSA complaint #11389681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salix, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY HIGH BEAM LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON BUT THE LOW BEAMS ARE ON. WHEN I PUSH THE SWITCH TO TURN MY HIGH BEAMS ON THEY TURN ON BUT THE LIGHT INDICATOR TURNS OFF AND WHEN SWITCH MY HIGH BEAMS ON MY SPEEDOMETER STARTS KINDA WORKING, OTHERWISE IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #11278592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Calera, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BREAK LIGHT ARE STAYING ON DRAINING THE BATTERY, IVE REPLACED THE PAART WITH A PART FROM ADVANCE AUTO , BUT LIGHTS STAY ON , FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER.
NHTSA complaint #11220745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,500 milesLewiston, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS DOOR NOT LATCHING. HAVE HAD TO DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY TO PURCHASE WD40 TO TRY AND GET MY DOOR SHUT. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY LIGHTS FLASHING. AND WHO PLUGS A PHONE INTO A CAR CHARGER FOR 2 HOURS AND IT DOESN'T CHARGE. IT NEVER USED TO DO THAT. DOOR WOULDN'T SHUT WHILE SITTING IN DRIVING AND WHEN DRIVING IN CITY AND HIGHWAY. LIGHTS FLICKERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PHONE WOULDN'T CHARGE WHILE ON HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO DIG THE TWO RECEIPTS OUT FROM THE WD40 PURCHASE. IT IS GOING IN TODAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY WANT TO LOOK AT MY DOOR WHICH WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $85 ON TOP OF THE OIL CHANGE.
NHTSA complaint #11170301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
NHTSA complaint #10876762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Statesville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2001 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR DOORS ISSUE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINED ON, AFTER THE DOORS WERE CLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #10746337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,931 milesFresno, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WANTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. HAD TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLY BRAKES TO STOP, ENGINE RPM RACE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAD THIS SAME CAR PROBLEM REPAIRED. DATED JUNE 18, 2010, LITHIA FORD DEALER # 23. HAD TO REPLACE MAF SENOR, AFLS 154 REMAN SENSOR ASY, REPROGAM PCM 5926 CF.
NHTSA complaint #10344150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesLouisville, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
I AM A OWNER OF A 2001 FORD TAURUS WHICH I BOUGHT USED AND HAVE OWNED IT NOW FOR 2 YEARS. IT IS THE FIRST FORD I HAVE OWNED IN OVER 20 YEARS. SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAS NOT GIVEN ME TOO MANY PROBLEMS, JUST THE BASIC BREAK DOWNS LIKE, BATTERIES, BRAKES ,SEIZED A/C COMPRESSOR,COOLANT EXPANSION TANK CRACKED, ECT. THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO BREAK. BUT WHAT HAS REALLY UPSET ME IS HOW I HAVE READ ABOUT THE COIL SPRINGS BREAKING ON THE TAURUS AND CAUSING POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME BUT AFTER ARRIVING HOME TODAY I NOTICED A SMALL PIECE OF METAL UNDER MY 01 TAURUS AND AFTER FURTHER OBSERVATION I FOUND IT TO BE A PIECE OF MY REAR COIL SPRING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. I AM A 40+ YEAR OLD MALE WHO HAS HAD MANY MAKES AND MODELS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER HAD OR HEARD OF COIL SPRINGS BREAKING AS THEY DO ON THE FORD TAURUS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BY FORD AND NOT THE CONSUMER. SO I CAN ONLY EXPECT THAT THE REST OF THE SPRINGS ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE I HAVE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FORD COMPANY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT CRAFTMANSHIP OR THE CONSUMERS SAFETY. SO CHANGE YOUR SLOGAN " HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY" TO " YOUR RIDING ON FAULTY COIL SPRINGS". THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL FORD TAURUS OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10219849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stafford, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
WHEN ROTATING THE HEADLAMP CONTROL SWITCH CLOCKWISE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (DASH) LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. HOWEVER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS DO COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10218132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2001 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 IN TN. THE SPEED ZONE IS 70MPH. THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR BY A SEMI TRUCK. I HAD MY ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME. THIS IS NOT AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR INTO A FORD DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION. IT WAS REPLACED AND TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING STARTED. NOW I AM TOLD IT IS A GEM MODULE, OR, PCM MODULE, SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. THIS TO ME IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. WHEN THE CAR QUITS RUNNING, AND YOU LOSE ALL POWER,AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, FROM BRAKES TO STEERING. EVEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED DOWN. IT TOOK 2 HOURS BEFORE THE CAR WOULD RESTART. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER 20 TIMES. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER, BUT OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. IT WILL ONE DAY KILL PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint #10200784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesDayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON IN OCTOBER 2005 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAILURE OF EGR SENSOR; LIGHT TURNED OFF WHEN I ADDED MORE COOLANT TO THE RESERVOIR, WHICH WAS EMPTY BUT NOT GENERATING A HEATING MESSAGE. LIGHT TURNED BACK ON AFTER NEXT GAS FILL.
NHTSA complaint #10188462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesGreenville, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MY 2001 FORD TAURUS HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE HEATER BLOWER ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. PER THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 04-15-3, THISWAS A MANUFACTURING ERROR WHICH EVENTUALLY WILL RUIN THE CARPET, THE AIR CONDITIONER, AND COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND MAY NEVER BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10186082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesHickory, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW SPEED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A KIT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT FORD CUSTOMERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE REPAIR KIT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 92000. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT RAIN AND TO LEAK IN AND DESTROY THE BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR WITH THE BLOWER DESTROYED FRONT WINDSHIELD WILL NOT DEFROST. UPDATE 4/9
NHTSA complaint #10185552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,900 milesOsseo, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND BOTH REAR STRUTS FAILED. ALSO THE RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. WHY ARE THE FRONT SPRINGS BE ON RECALL AND THE REAR SPRINGS ARE NOT? HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRING & STRUTS. $521.00, AND TIRE $124.) I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY IF THIS HAPPEN ON THE HWY, I COULD HAVE FLIP MY CAR CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT! NOW CAR DOES NOT WANT TO START. I TOOK IT TO FOUR FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY ALL SAID THE SAME THING. FIRST THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN DIAGNOSTIC TEST,THEN DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE TEST AND A TECH TO DRIVE THE CAR. MAYBE THEY CAN FIX IT. AND TO TOP EVERYTHING ALL THE FORD DEALERSHIPS SENT EVERYBODY IN THE SHOP HOME,BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TOO DO ?
NHTSA complaint #10164561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,737 milesBarberton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10159718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesPalatine, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE STARTER.
NHTSA complaint #10153115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesOdgensburg, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V332000 CONCERNING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. NOW, THE CONTACT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH WAS AFFECTING THE REAR COILS SPRINGS. IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW STARTER UPDATED 01/11/06.
NHTSA complaint #10145793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesOAK Bluff, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT: WHEN PLACING KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT START WHATSOEVER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER ONCE. ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER SAID THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS A FAULTY STARTER, BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN EVEN AFTER STARTER WAS REPLACED. IN THIS PROCESS OF BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER ON 4 DIFFERENT TIMES THERE WAS SEVERAL REPAIRS OF STARTER, SENSOR, COMPUTER BOARD, AND SOME OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENT AND THESE ALL STEMMED FROM PLACING KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DEALER SAID THIS WAS IGNITION AND STARTER RELATED. THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM. DEALER BUSINESS MANAGER HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10131528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,219 milesGarwood, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY FORD TAURUS AND ALL AT ONCE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I LOST ALL POWER OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATLEY I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AND I SAFETLY STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. TURNED OFF AND ON THE IGNITION AND THE CAR STARTED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. DRIVING HOME THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENED.SINCE THEN I DROVE THE CAR TWO MORE MILES BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM PLANNING ON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER BUT I FEAR THEY WONT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR SINCE THE FAILURE SEEMS OCCUR RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint #10128952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesClinton Township, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: 2001 FORD TAURUS IS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING, ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING . THE VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP, BUT THE CONSUMER HAS TO SHAKE AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THAT IS WHY THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. FIRST TIME THE STARTER WAS CHANGED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD MOTORS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD THE CONSUMER TO BRING BACK THE CAR SO THEY CAN EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AGAIN. SLOW SPEEDS AND TURNING ARE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STALLING OUT. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT THINK THAT THE MOTOR IS THE PROBLEM, THAT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10127142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN IT WAS PARKED DUE TO A SHORT WITH THE BRAKE WIRING HARNESS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10106914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesOxnard, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNT ODOR COMING IN FROM THE VENT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CENTER CONTROL PANEL. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10103552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesHOT Springs, ARFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PUSHED THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN TO GET HOT AND IT SHOT OUT. IT FELL ON THE FLOOR MAT AND I BURNED MY HAND PICKING IT UP BEFORE IF CAUGHT THE CAR ON FIRE. I NO LONGER USE MY LIGHTER FOR FEAR IT WILL START A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10088651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesEL Centro, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 HOURS WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK THE FIRE INVESTIGATION INDICATED THAT THE FIRE INVOLVED WIRING AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD HOUSING.
NHTSA complaint #10087350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesMonroe, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE FOOT PEDAL/STOP LAMP OCCURRED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY.
NHTSA complaint #10039937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,500 milesLost Creek, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PROBLEMS WITH 2001 FORD TAURUS BRAKE ROTORS.*MR THE FRONT END VIBRATED AND THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. FORD WAS ORDERED TO REPAIR ALL REPAIRS BUT THEY ONLY TURNED THE ROTORS. *PH ALSO THE PASSENGER WINDOW DRAGGED, THE LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN THE RADIO OR HEATER WAS ON, AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION JERKED AT TIMES AND THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS DUE TO TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10034529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hawk RUN, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2001 FORD TAURUS 4 DOOR SEDAN.*MR THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE CONSUMER MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR FROM PARK TO ANOTHER GEAR POSITION. THE LOCK CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION WAS FROZEN, THE RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE DOOR PANELS WERE REMOVED TO CLEAN THE WINDOW RUNS..*TS. THE REAR DRUM ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED AND PITTED.
NHTSA complaint #10030065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mooresville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION KEY SWITCH LOCKS EVERY TIME WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. (SERVICE BULLETINS#012113-627-1SB6274). *AK WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED THE START POSITION IT DID NOT TURN BACK TO THE RUN POSITION. AFTER THE CONSUMER REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED INTO TRAFFIC, THE KEY RELEASED ALL THE WAY TO THE OFF POSITION.*TS
NHTSA complaint #10022675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Benton, MT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE HAD A LACK OF BREAKING, A MALFUNCTION IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW HAD LOCKED, THE SWITCH CAUSED THE STARTER TO BECOME INOP/REMAIN IN POWER, AND THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED IN THE START POSITION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #568036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES CAN NOT USE 2 OR MORE VEHICLE ACCESSORIES AT THE SAME TIME. IF USES WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HORN WILL NOT OPERATE OR VICE-VERSA. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.