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7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$130
Average Mileage:
148,000 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. replace range sensor (1 reports)
  3. replaced the speed sensor (1 reports)
1998 Ford Taurus transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Ford Taurus Owner Comments

problem #12

Dec 012014

Taurus 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm trying to decide if the car is worth purchasing. It has 136k miles and runs good. I'm told that it can drive safely up tp mph but past 45mph, because it will not shift into overdrive, there in lies the problem. I've seen people say it could be the VVS or specifically some type of clip within the valve body of the trans itself as to why it will shift in every gear except overdrive. So I am wanting to know most common problem/solutions it could be and average costs to repair.

- Steve A., Romeoville, IL, US

problem #11

Jan 012012

Taurus SE 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Earlier this year I started having issues with my 1998 Ford Taurus SE. I was having problems with the gear shifter as in not being able to get the car out of gear even after depressing the brake. I have never had the problem fixed because my mechanic said it was would be $350 just to take it apart and see what was wrong (and the put it back together if I didn't want to fix the problem) That of course doesn't include fixing the problem (bad solenoid*, etc) It is still drivable but just a bit annoying. Now at 108,500 miles I am having issues with my throttle sticking. I don't think they are interrelated, but they are both problems now at this point. Heard they might recall Taurus' because of it, would be nice because I know I don't want to pay for a repair that expensive now (presumably expensive).

- dhp316, Rockville, MD, US

problem #10

Jul 072010

Taurus 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

The transmission has been going for quite some time. Tried little fixes like changing oil and putting in tranny fix but it started jumping more and more from 1st to 2nd and now it won't shift gears at all. It's a dead car now.

- lamp, Alma, WI, US

problem #9

Aug 312009

Taurus LX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 400,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A while back i had to have my trans rebuilt anyway. about 50,000 miles after the rebuild the trans started having trouble shifting out again. Then one afternoon it wouldn do anything in a forward gear. I still had reverse so i figured my trans was not going out again because 9 outta 10 times if a ford trans goes bad reverse goes first. I took a diagostic scanner on the trans and it showed "TCC sensor circuit high output". I do not remember the exact code. But this sensor is in middle of the trans so a royal pain to attempt to replace.

so upon farther investigation if discorved the short was in a wiring harness plug on the top of the trans. Its a white colored plug on the top of the trans under the air induction tube. just remove the air filter housing and you can see it. I unplugged the sensor to discover water in the plug. I cleaned the water out with so electrical cleaner and it gave me my gears back. But the car was still shifting very hard so once again i hooked up to the scanner and found out the TCC being bad had froze up my range sensor. I replaced it with a new and now have no problems. the range sensor is the big black sensor just to the side of the TCC sensor. It is also a ford only part and has 2 different applications so you need to have the old one off the car to match part numbers directly fo make sure you get the right part because they visually look the same.

- Matt F., Monticello, MS, US

problem #8

Dec 082008

Taurus SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 164,353 miles

My car wouldn't start, so I went and purchased a new battery, the mechanic told me that I needed a major tune-up and a pair of new battery connectors. Since having the battery replaced, my car starts up excellent, but my service engine light flashes and stays on, and next week it will be off. My car is jerking when I do 20 mph and I've felt it go faster while I'm using cruise control doing 55 mph. I am taking it to my mechanic on 12/13/08, will update from there.

- mkindle, Chicago, IL, US

problem #7

Feb 152004

Taurus SE 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

The car would not shift gears. It would not go above 10 mph. The speedometer stopped working and the odometer. This was a tremendous headache.

- Tina M., Blairs, VA, US

problem #6

Feb 252005

(reported on)

Taurus SE

  • 112,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission has been "stalling" out (running up rpms to 2500-3000) before shifting, and then the gear shift is a violent one, almost shaking the car and lurching it forward. Usually experienced after a long time spent in stop and go traffic, but recently the "service engine soon" light came on? Taurus manual says this indicator only comes on due to emissions failures?? I'm going to have the trans. fluid changed, before any major work is considered. Will keep posted.

- Andy R., Columbus, GA, US

problem #5

May 202007

(reported on)

Taurus LX 3.0 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

Originally I thought I had a fuel pump or fuel filter problem, but after reading more and more about this Taurus, I'm thinking it's the transmission. I haven't gotten a diagnosis as of yet, but it is doing exactly what everyone on here is saying. It acts as if it doesn't have any gas, it jerks alot when giving it gas. Really bad on take offs, but will also jerk while driving along. It hasn't left me stranded yet, but I'm afraid it's just a matter of time. This really sucks.

- havanadaydreamn, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #4

Jun 032006

(reported on)

Taurus SE

  • 134,000 miles

It will go in reverse really well. Kicks itself out of drive--when you are driving. Have had the cv axle checked, motor mounts put on, nothing works. The transmission sounds too good and is running great--except will not go forward. I do not like being stranded!!!!!!!!!!

- Jane H., Goreville, IL, US

problem #3

Aug 162006

(reported on)

Taurus LX

  • 108,000 miles

The car rpm needle does not move & the speedometor doesn't always work - the car sounds like it does not shift into all the gears. You can be driving and all of a sudden the car won't go to next gear, then it almost is like a jerking feeling and it finally shifts. This car has had many problems over the years.

- Todd F., Clinton Township, MI, US

problem #2

Apr 172006

(reported on)

Taurus GL

  • 104,000 miles

RPM's go up, car does not seem to want to shift, but does finally, but speedometer also quits working, then it all starts working again. Are they related? Is this electrical vs transmission?

- Tammie L., Alexandria, MN, US

problem #1

Apr 042006

(reported on)

Taurus

  • 135,000 miles

i have to start slow and let the car take it sweet time shifting gears i cant press on the gas to "make it go" because it wont go if i do that also at the same time as this problem started the speedodometer stopped working... related problem??? i think so... just not sure what i need to do... transmission shop or where

- Susan N., Somerset, KY, US

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