2004 Ford Taurus transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CEASED IN THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TUBE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11362300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE GEAR SHIFTER LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER (DEACON JONES FORD-LINCOLN LOCATED AT 3301 MCLAIN STREET, GOLDSBORO, NC 27534 PHONE NUMBER 800-921-7994) WHO CONFIRMED THEIR FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THEIR VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA complaint #11299088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE GEAR SHIFTER TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA complaint #11206327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I AM FILING DUAL COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE, FIRST WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AUTHORITY AND A SECOND CONSUMER COMPLAINT WITH MR. PATRICK MORRISEY, ATTORNEY GENERAL WEST VIRGINIA. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS A CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION TO HELP RESIDENTS IN THE EVENT OF A SAFETY CONCERN AND A CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT BRINGS A CONCERN TO THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND THE CONSUMER. UNDER "SPEED CONTROL" AS CHECKED OFF, THIS INCLUDES SYSTEMS AND DEVICES INTENDED TO CONTROL (ACCELERATE) THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO THE DRIVER'S INTENT SUCH AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THROTTLE CONTROL CABLES, LINKAGES, ACTUATORS, ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS AND SOFTWARE, CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ACTUATORS AND DEACTIVATING SYSTEMS, AND OTHER COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS THAT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM (E.G., FLOOR MATS). MY 2004 TAURUS HAS NEARLY 90,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL. ON MULTIPLE INCIDENTS IN 2017 MY TAURUS WOULD WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR INDICATIONS SUDDENLY BEGIN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I DESCRIBE IT TO OTHERS AS HAVING TO THROTTLE STICK. I WAS FREAKING OUT, BECAUSE CARS BEHIND ME DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND I WAS AFRAID THEY WOULD EASILY BECOME COLLATERAL DAMAGE. I PUT THE CAR INTO NUETRAL AND THE ENGINE ON ITS OWN VOLITION REVVED UP TO OVER 4000 RPM. A PERSON ON THE SIDE WALK THOUGHT I WAS ABOUT TO STRIKE THEM AS THEY JUMP OUT OF THE WAY. I LEARNED 150 FAULTY SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM COMPLAINTS, 6 INJURIES, AND 1 DEATH. THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THE NHTSA HAS KNOWN SINCE 2004, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED AS A RESULT AND EVEN DEATH REPORTED BUT STRANGELY NO SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE AND TRAGIC PROBLEM, WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON I AM FILING THE DUAL COMPLAINT IN THE HOPES THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL MORRISEY. HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FROM SUCH ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11058565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING AROUND 70 AND, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE RPM'S REVVED UP REALLY HIGH (INTO THE 7000'S) AND THE CAR INDICATOR SAID CHECK TRANSMISSION. I QUICKLY CHANGED LANES AND GOT ONTO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF MY CAR. I LET IT SIT FOR TEN MINUTES WHILE I CHECKED FOR VISIBLE PROBLEMS. FINDING NONE, I THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND PUT IT IN GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I TRIED IT IN EVERY GEAR BUT THE CAR STILL REFUSED TO MOVE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT SAID THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND I HAD DONE SOME RESEARCH OVER THE PHONE WHILE WE WERE WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE FAULT OF A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. FORD ACTUALLY HAS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD TORQUE CONVERTERS AND DID A RECALL FOR THEIR 2004 FREESTAR WHICH I HAD HEARD USES THE SAME TORQUE CONVERTER AS THE TAURUS. AFTER RESEARCHING, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP INSTEAD AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS INDEED BAD. THE SPLINES HAD STRIPPED OUT AND/OR BROKE. IT COST $1400.00 TO REPLACE IT FOR A CAR THAT HAD A LITTLE OVER 57000 MILES. DURING MY RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS OTHERS WHO HAD EVEN LESS MILEAGE ON THEIR TAURUS'S WHEN THEIR TORQUE CONVERTERS DIED.

NHTSA complaint #11053446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED CAUSING THE BATTERY TO FAIL AT TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHEN DEPRESSING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE PEDAL PROPERLY. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E026000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11004740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V106000 (FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S12-MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE APRIL 5, 2004). YET, IT'S NOT FLAGGING MY VIN AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE BADGE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR SHOWS THE CAR WAS BUILT 02/2004. IT'S BEEN DOING IT A LONG TIME OFF AND ON, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TILT STEERING WHEEL. THE GEARSHIFT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED BY THIS RECALL. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP WITH THIS MATTER!

NHTSA complaint #10939049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10908164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I RAN BY A FRIENDS HOUSE TO PICK UP AN ITEM. AFTER PUTTING MY GEAR SELECTOR IN REVERSE I REALIZED THAT I NOT ONLY COULDN'T BACK UP, BUT COULD NOT GET ANY GEAR TO ENGAGE! MY TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY FAILED WITH ABSOLUTELY ZERO INDICATION THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO DIE.

NHTSA complaint #10903508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE GEARS AND, AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10888697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,666.

NHTSA complaint #10888702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SWITCH OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #10853211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED IN TRANSMISSION, WHICH LED TO TOTAL FAILURE. ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW WHILE DRIVING. GOT TO SHOULDER, AND HAD CAR TOWED. THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. FORD WILL NOT RECALL OR HELP. SPLINE IS TO THIN, AND, OUT OF SPEC. IN REGARD TO THICKNESS.

NHTSA complaint #10680023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

COMING DOWN POWAY ROAD IN POWAY, CA IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND IT SEEMED THE ENGINE WAS REVVING. I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE TURNOUT AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP COMPLETELY AS THE BRAKES WERE SPONGY. WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE ENGINE SPEED WAS OVER 2500 RPM. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND COULD SMELL THE BRAKES. SUSPECTING A STUCK THROTTLE, I REMOVED THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING HELD OPEN BY THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WHICH HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED AT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AREA. I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY AND PUSHED IT ASIDE SO WE COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. I CONSIDER THIS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A GRADE AND I WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME THE ENGINE WAS PUSHING US FASTER. SINCE IT WAS SATURDAY I DRIVE TO THE DEALER. I KNEW THERE HAD BEEN A SIMILAR RECALL I CHECKED TO SEE IF OUR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND IT WAS NOT BUT THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE RECALL WHICH FORD HAD DONE AS "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 13B04" WHICH HE PROVIDED ME A COPY OF. I HAVE SEEN THIS IN MY SON'S 2002 FORD TAURUS ALSO. THE CLIP THAT HOLDS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE TO THE THROTTLE LINKAGE DISCONNECTS AND BECAUSE OF THE STIFFNESS, ACTUALLY PREVENTS THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE. ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT FAILED, I CAN SEE THE SAME LINKAGE ON MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE WHICH OF COURSE IS A REPACKAGED TAURUS. THIS CLIP IS A VERY POOR DESIGN IN THAT IT DOES NOT DO A GOOD JOB OF HOLDING ONTO THE ACCELERATOR PIN. FROM OBSERVATION I KNOW THAT IT WAS USED IN AT LEAST 3 MODEL YEARS AND PERHAPS MORE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN A COURTESY FIX AS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE SHOWN. IT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ANY VEHICLE THAT USED THIS DESIGN. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF IF IT WILL FAIL BUT AS OUR EXPERIENCE TODAY SHOWS, WHEN.

NHTSA complaint #10660295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHEN I DRIVE, THE GAS PEDAL WILL GET STUCK AND EITHER STAY AT THE SPEED WITHOUT ME SETTING CRUISE CONTROL OR IT MAY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. TO GET IT LOOSE, I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE GAS PEDAL (WHICH CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING), THIS USUALLY STOPS THE PROBLEM BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT SOMEDAY IT WILL STOP WORKING AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO CONTROL THIS ANYMORE. IF I PUT THE CAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL IT INCREASES THE RPM FROM 1 TO 3 OR 4. ALSO IF THE RPM ARE INCREASED WHILE IN PARK IT MAKES IT SUPER HARD TO SHIFT TO DRIVE AND IS STRESSFUL TO MY TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10652985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10652727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10652727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND THERE WAS A LOUD AND HARD BUMP, TRANSMISSION REPAIRED NOW AFTER HAVING CAR BACK FOR 1 WEEK WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT HARDLY MOVES AND SHUDDERS AND SHAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10620807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION LOST ALL GEARS WITH NO WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #10585143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO RELEASE FROM PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA complaint #10552939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,700.

NHTSA complaint #10545458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION I BEGAN TO APPLY BRAKE FOR RED LIGHT, THE RPMS SPIKED TO 4000. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN.TRIED TO TAP BRAKE AGAIN..NO CHANGE. PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TAPPED GAS TO FINALLY GET THE RPMS TO LOWER TO AT LEAST 2000 LEVEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 OTHER TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10543456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,854. UPDATED 12/5/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFT CABLE WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10538467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I OWN A 2004 FORD TAURUS SES V6 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I DROVE TO WORK WITH NO WARNING SOUNDS, SMELLS, OR WARNING LIGHTS, AND IT DROVE PERFECTLY. I ATTEMPTED TO GO TO LUNCH, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JUST FINE, BUT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS/REVERSE ECT. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS, AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AS FAR AS I KNOW SO FAR THE FORD FREESTAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE & A CLASS ACTION WAS FILED & THEN FORD FOLLOWED UP WITH A RECALL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD WITH NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR RESOLUTION. I FEEL SICK TO BE OUT SO MUCH MONEY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM. OF COURSE I DO FEEL LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENED LIKE MANY OTHERS. FORD SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THIS!

NHTSA complaint #10511777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

DROVE FROM WORK TO HOME, PARKED CAR. WHEN I WENT TO GO START CAR, IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER.UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION WITH FRIENDS THEY TOLD ME TAURUS/SABLE WERE KNOWN FOR BAD CONVERTERS, WENT ON INTERNET TO INVESTIGATE INFORMATION AND HAD HUGE RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10496106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I SPENT 4 HOURS AT NIGHT WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. ALL MOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRYING TO GET THIS POS OFF THE ROAD. THAT WAS $150 FOR THE TOW AND NOW I NEED TO SPEND MORE TO GET THIS 2004 TAURUS RUNNING. I AM A FORD FAN AS YOU CAN TELL BY MY EMAIL ADDRESS. I EVEN DRAG RACE MUSTANGS. I AM THINKING ABOUT GOING HONDA FOR MY DAILY DRIVER. PROBLEM WAS A IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINE. HAS LEFT 100'S IF NOT 1000'S OF US STRANDED. GIVES OUT WITH NO WARNING. CAR JUST STOPS MOVING. CAR WAS DOWN FOR 1 WEEK AND COST ENDED UP BEING JUST OVER $1000.

NHTSA complaint #10485866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED IN DRIVEWAY OCTOBER 2012. ALMOST $1000 IN REPAIR COSTS. 2004 TAURUS WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES. THE ONLY OWNER/DRIVER IS MY RETIRED MOTHER. CAR WAS ALWAYS WELL MAINTAINED. VERY FORTUNATE THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10483696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM READING INCREASED ABNORMALLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA complaint #10479459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHECKED THE FLUID, IT WAS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL AND WAS CLEAN AND SMELLED GOOD. I PULLED BACK ON TO THE ROAD AND IT RAN OK FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. WE CAME UP ON AN ACCIDENT AND STOPPED, WHEN WE WENT TO GO FORWARD THE CAR MADE A BIG BANG, SHUDDERED, THEN DROVE OK. I WENT TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, THE CAR DROVE AWAY NORMALLY TO THE GAS STATION. AT THE STATION I RE-CHECKED THE FLUID, AGAIN EVERYTHING NORMAL. WHEN I WENT TO PULL AWAY THE CAR JUST REVVED UP LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. IT WOULD NOT GO IN TO ANY GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10478127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. AS THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT ALL THAT HAPPENED IS THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHER. I WAS IN HEAVY 2 WAY TRAFFIC AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOTICE A TURN OFF INTO A PARKING LOT BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PROCEEDED TO TRY THE CAR IN ALL GEARS BUT NO MOVEMENT OCCURRED. IT IS LIKE IT IS LIKE THE CAR IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS TOLD THE SPLINES INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER STRIP OUT AND FAILS TO SPIN THE SHAFT THAT SPINS THE FLUID PUMP. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED (11S25) FOR FORD FREESTAR USING THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THIS CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10471291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.