Normally when Clifford (the Big Red Car) would go into Drive you would have to hold him back as he was quite eager to please. He stopped doing that on the morning in question and was a little sluggish getting going. He started fine just slow. Then I went to store, came back and my boyfriend and I took him out to visit a friend. On our way home on the highway going 110 kph Clifford had had enough. He just died and there was no more acceleration. Pulled off to side of road and towed him home where he now sits and awaits the tow truck to the scrap yard. Shame as he was inspected for another 2 years and new everything else. Just can't afford a new transmission. Wishing there was something I could have done. So sad. Such a great car.
Transmission was rebuilt due to overheating. Transmission cooler was full of torque converter clutch material. Premature torque converter failure due to poor design or construction. This is a "grandma car" that seldom sees over 3000rpm.
For no apparent reason, the car was driving fine one moment and then there was no drive in any gear. Total cost for towing and repair was $3086. Transmission shop said reason for failure was failed torque converter. Transmission was rebuilt due to overheating. Transmission cooler was full of torque converter clutch material. I have found 113 incidents of dangerous torque converter failure related complaints in this National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA) database from 1994 through 2005. For a complete discussion see http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/82-maintenance-repair/168651-2000-taurus-wont-shift-into-any-gear.html . These torque converter failures and their related torque converter pump shaft failures create extreme financial hardship on the Taurus owners. Additionally the failures occur without any warning whatsoever and thus present a hidden danger to all persons inside the vehicle and other drivers on the road. Based on information found in the Daaco Transmission Parts Catelog (daacoinc.com), Ford torque converters from the 4F50N, AXOD, AXODE, and AX4S transmissions seem to be of similar design. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number 12V006000 has already forced a recall for the torque converter used in the 4F50N transmission. See
I realize this issue happened years ago. But wanted to add it anyway for anyone out there thinking about purchasing this car.
This vehicle was purchased in 2003 with about 50,000 miles on it, After only 3 months of having this vehicle the transmission started failing. We took it into the ford dealership (where it was purchased) and they told us there was nothing they could do, I told them bull crap i had the extended warranty and they were going to fix it. (BTW this took place in VA) They told me i would have to come back when the manager was in. After letting the car sit for WEEKS i finally got tired of being ducked and dodged over the phone and took it back in and told them i was NOT leaving till I spoke to the MGR and they fixed the car. This time the manager WAS there. Here's the really frustrating part. The car was LITERALLY 3 miles over its warranty. So they tried to refuse it. After having been turned away after taking it in the first time, letting the car sit till I could get it back in (so as NOT to rack up miles) they tried to REFUSE my warranty over 3 FRIGGIN MILES. As you can imagine that DID NOT go over well. They ended up ReBuilding the transmission but I still ended up having to pay 1/2 of the labor costs...... I hate this car, now the head gaskets have blown for the SECOND time and i'm getting rid of it. I'm done
ford should be ashamed of themselves, to not recall this problem, bad transmissions, we were driving down the highway and the transmission just stopped working i was stepping on the gas and nothing, i mean nothing, the rpm's were racing but we weren't going so we coasted to a exit ramp and called for my son to rescue us, i have always owned fords, but guess what, it wont happen again the car is a goner, i bought a nissan, 2 days later, i also own a f-150, and a ford explorer, and my stepdaughter owns a taurus and she is on her 3rd transmission, she is trading it for a chrysler mini van i will never own a ford again so please read all the complaints and wonder why ford is not doing anything it will make your mind up really quick what to buy next,,,, i do my research
- Colleen G.,
Horton, MI, US
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I was left stranded on top of Victoria Ave in Niagara Falls ON on a busy summer day. I had to get towed and as my hunch had it right, Mr. Transmission advised of transmission failure and it was $700+ tax for a used transmission and another $900 + tax for labour and additional parts....These transmissions had a factory problem where they overheat and die. The solution to not have that happen again is to install additional coolant running to the transmission to help keep it cool, that is after you have replaced the one that went out. Maybe it can be done to your existing tranmission, find out and save yourself the big $.
Well - add another Ford transmission complaint. Wife was driving and transmission just quit. Fluid level was a little low. Added to correct level. Now only have reverse, but no forward gears.
Time to check the local salvage yards for a used transmission. Fortunately, I'm a mechanic and can do the replacement myself. Really don't know if it's worth it at this point. Wonder how long the replacement trans will last, and how much? Please keep me posted with any class action suits. I will be contacting Ford, the Attorney General and National Highway Transportation Association also.
Add me to the list of Ford Taurus owners with complete transmission failures, and at only 68,400 miles on it. Just like many others, without warning the transmission gave out. No 1st, 2nd, D or R. Just a funny whining noise. I was towed to the nearby AAMCO shop and the mechanic simply replied "Yep, very common with the Taurus" as he pointed to two others in the lot with the same problem. Estimate to repair is $2000.00
As for recalls to the issue. Because it's over 10 years old and unless the Consumer Product Safety Commission steps in for safety concerns, Ford is off the hook. http://www.saferproducts.gov/
I was taking a relative from Fresno to Salinas. I passed through Pacheco Pass, and the transmission blew out once I hit the bottom of the mountain. Everything was checked before making the trip. Unfortunately my car was 2000 miles passed the extended warranty. I had to be towed the rest of the way which was about another 30 miles. I paid 4500 for the car, and then it was going to take another 4000 for the new transmission, converter, and labor. I have not had it fixed yet, honestly I don't even think its going to be worth it.
Actually, this is a defense, not a beef. I have seen where this has happened to people with as few as 45000 miles! I cannot complain too loudly, though, after 250k. The engine just purrs! I am going to have this fixed and give her another run, but my wife is using words in her conversation like, "reliability", and things like that. She gets the newly-acquired Focus wagon. [I am lusting after a Chrysler 300M....]
The transmission on my 2000 Ford Taurus SES went out, front wheels locked up. I was at funeral for a friend. Had to have it towed home. 5 more payments and it's mine. I live on disability. So I guess it's my loss. I emailed Ford Company. They emailed back, saying what do you want us to do? I told them to stand behind their cars, help me pay for it. Never got an answer back. The laff is on me I guess.
My mom and dad bought me a 2000 Ford Taurus car and 4 days later the transmission quits, and it barley moves when you rive the engine up. My dad changed the transmission oil and filter and it did not fix it. My old pontiac has been down since I graduated from high school. I never had a job since then and still don't have a job because I live in the county. If there is a way to fix this transmission problem I will thank you.
I Bought this piece of junk 2 months ago installed new transmission and now 5 days later bad again people be very careful with these cars i mean trash cans. sorry for the expression but its plain truth even tho i am a ford lover but they should just recall this piece of sh*t and do something for us consumers. Which ford probably does not realize we buy products cause we need them its not that we buy cars to look at them.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Normally when Clifford (the Big Red Car) would go into Drive you would have to hold him back as he was quite eager to please. He stopped doing that on the morning in question and was a little sluggish getting going. He started fine just slow. Then I went to store, came back and my boyfriend and I took him out to visit a friend. On our way home on the highway going 110 kph Clifford had had enough. He just died and there was no more acceleration. Pulled off to side of road and towed him home where he now sits and awaits the tow truck to the scrap yard. Shame as he was inspected for another 2 years and new everything else. Just can't afford a new transmission. Wishing there was something I could have done. So sad. Such a great car.
- Alexis A., Mill Cove, NS, Canada