Two problems related to engine shut off without warning have been reported for the 2004 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford Taurus based on all problems reported for the 2004 Taurus.
Over the past three weeks, the engine would quit running while driving on the road. I took the car into the Ford dealership on 9/16/13 and the problem has not been found. This happened 5 times over a 3 week peroid. I can't be driving this car on the highway and have the engine shut down. I am afraid of this car. I have keep up all maintance required at the local Ford dealership, the milage is low for the year of the car. I have all the receipts for maintance and repairs since buying the car in 2007.
My 2003 Ford Taurus se; has had a rough idle and rough running when slowing down to stop and when stopped. The engine will act like it is running out of fuel, some times it will just shutdown with no warning. Usually happens under 40 mph. Vehicle is maintained by a Ford dealer, and has all filters changed before the scheduled time. Also has had transmission fluid changed twice in 60,000 miles along with coolant change as directed by Ford. Dealer says that rough idle and hesitation is normal for this v6 engine. But I see that other Ford and Mazda vehicles using this engine are having same problem. Also have had to replace all 4 continental 215x60x16 tires due to explosive blowout between 35000 miles and 55,000 miles.