53 problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1996 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Says in my report that fins were missing on shaft of water pump.
Consumer complained of smelling anti-freeze that was coming into vehicle while driving. Vehicle been at dealer several times, still no correction was made. Dealer notified.
Cooling system leaks anti-freeze and overheats.
When sitting in vehicle or driving there is a coolant smell and vapors are getting into the vehicle from the engine.
The heating and cooling problems we have had with this vehicle have progressed from being inconvenient to a permanent problem. Finally, at the beginning of April 2000 I thought that possibly if I had the radiator flushed that it would take care of the heating and a/c problems. The 19th of April 2000 I took it to the dealer for a oil change and to have them check the cooling system. In there notes under "correction" it said "check over cooling system;belts;hoses;coolant;ect. . . Then in the "comment" area it said -30 or better unless advised* it was picked up and I felt compelled to check to see if they had topped off the fluids. (being a widow and a single mother I don't know who to trust any more so I do more checking then maybe others) the coolant resvoir was near empty. I called the dealership about it and they told me to bring it back out. We complied and every thing was fine for approximately a week or so. On the 29th of April we drove it approximately 40 miles roundtrip and on the way home it started to overheat. By the time we got home all the coolant was out of it. I called the dealership and took it back in may 2nd. This was under the section "correction comment": contacted Ford regarding concern; advised customer engine would have to be replaced; dealer and CO. To assist; cust. Portion $700. Well I guess they thought I should have been relieved that I did not have to stand the whole cost, but I found out the root of the problem. The service manager at the dealership told me that the car came from the factory with the wrong coolant in it. The coolant was too acidic and had overtime corroded the intake valves,etc. ,resulting in the necessity to replace the engine. Now mind you Ford had installed a by-pass kit and chemical flush cooling system per program 07/29/99. And yet when I talked to a whistle blower wannabe, he told me they were first notified of the problem in July of 1998. Two other Tauruses at this dealership had the same problem.
The vehicle continues to overheat; the "hot" needle zooms to "h" without warning and the air conditioner spews out hot air; upon stopping, coolant erupts fromthe reserve tank and spills out in volume onto the pavement and the car becomes undriveable.
Engine coolant temperature fluctuates. Gurgleing sound under hood during fluctuations. Odor heat smell enters car during fluctuations. Dealer claims fluctuations are normal, but, did install a bypass kit on the cooling system after numerous returns to the dealrship. Ford consumer line representatives claimsthere are no problems reported on the make and model, and there are no recalls on the make and model.
Freeze plugs rusted out.
Freeze plug malfunctioned on12/28/99; had recall on05/13/99 #98b2, only 7 month after the recall 41234miles freeze plug replase 51231miles tank you.
Consumer stated that, the radiator and antifreeze bottle recovery unit failed and was replaced.
Ford is not providing any information on coolant rust denying rust at all. Have replaced resevoir for antifreeze due to a previous recall. . . Heater coil has gone out due to corrosion that Ford is denying even exsists.
Vehicle will stall while driving in traffic, causing a safety hazard. Vehicle will restart after cooling down.
I liked the car when I bought it , but am wondering if I bought a lemon.
I have had problems especially with my heads and transmission since I've gotten the car!.
The tempature gauge has been rising high the last two months, and the sevice engine soon light comes on for a few days, goes off ror a short time only to come back on. The only other time the gauge went this high and higher is when the water resavior cracked and busted. Our car was still under warranty at the time, but Ford claimed this part was not covered. Ford company also had a recall August 1997 to install a bypass cooling kit. Which we did have installed, two months after my water system had been flushed because of googed and corroded coolant. They did not tell us at that time, that because the system was so bad that we would always have problems with this vehical. Every year we are having problems with the cooling sysyem that seem to add up more and more in price. And we do keep up with the general maintainance on our vehical.
Transmisson trouble: buzzing coming from transmission. Vechicle has been in the dealers 7 times for repeated same problem. Solenoid in the transmission has been replaced twice. Problem still exists. Dealers is going back to Ford. Dealer feels I need a new transmission. How can this be with a car under 21,000 miles??I have also had repeated problem with discolored fluids due to a cooling system problem which a recall was issured and a cooling kit was installed. My main concern is the possibility of damage to motor please advise. I have been working with the dealers service manager on the transmission issue.
When traveling consumer noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. Anti-freeze was spraying onto the engine when vehicle overheated. Consumer contacted the dealer. Dealer determined the cause to be a frozen plug which needed replacing. Please provide any further details.
Estimated costs of 3000 dollars to repair engine and cooling problems 60 days to diagnose problem still does not run correctly no warranties even with a purchased extended warranty dealer has been closed by the attorney general for fraud. No satisfaction from Ford motor CO.