Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 1999 Ford Taurus

I was going down he interstate with my 3 kids when my car stopped accelerating. It acted like it was in neutral, the engine was running and the rpm's would go up when I pressed on the gas pedal but it wouldn't accelerate anymore. I had to merge over 3 lanes of interstate traffic to get to the shoulder and luckily got to stop before we went over a bridge! I had it towed to a shop and they just called to tell me it is the torque converter and they just replaced one a few weeks ago. I looked online and this seems to be a common problem with this car.

Transmission failure while traveling at 65 mph on interestate. The transmission shifted roughly while in overdrive, causing the engine to race and bog down. Service engine soon light came on. Estimated cost of repair is $1600. 00. This occured even after the lube tube was replaced by Ford as part of a recall program.

The consumer replaced the transmission three times. The vehicle could not be registered since it will not pass emission. (11/29/05) the frame was twisted and the torque converter failed. There was also a hit and run accident. On another occasion a tire had blown out. The consumer was denied reimbursement for the tfi module replacements.

At approximately 47,600 miles the bearing to the transmission fluid pump failed causing the shaft to gyrate, destroying the torque converter. Discussing the failure with the mechanic that repaird the transmission it was theorized that the design of lubrication to the bearing was flawed. Even though I had the car for 1. 5 years and put 47 thousand plus miles on the car, a catastrophic failure such as this should not have happened.

Was driving vehicle without cruise control on or foot on gas pedal, and vehicle started picking up speed for no reason. Took vehicle to dealership & was informed normal procedure for vehicle. Had the transmission & torque convertor replaced anyway.