Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 2005 Ford Taurus

Driving on a high-speed highway, when without warning (no check engine light or any other notification), the transmission quit working. I was left unable to accelerate or even maintain my speed; and I had to coast to a stop on an exit ramp as the portion of highway that I was on did not have shoulders on either side. It was very dangerous. The traffic behind me was just as ill-prepared for this sudden deceleration, and I was powerless to do anything other than steer to relative safety. It appears that the torque converter's splines are not properly designed and this is a common occurrence on this specific make, model and year. This defect should be attended to, especially so that there is no injury or loss of life in the future.

My 2005 Ford Taurus has a stripped torque converter spline after I inspected it closely. I believe this to be a design flaw because it seems to be a very common problem with this year, make and model of this vehicle. It is also common in other similar Ford models. It is a safety hazard because the torque converter spline can strip out without warning, leaving the vehicle without any power to the drive wheels. This can be especially hazard in an intersection when a light turns red, on at high speed on a highway, which would risk a high-speed rear end collision. Ford has not issued a recall for this common defect. There are many instances of this same failure on the internet by other owners. The vehicle lost all power to the wheels as I was in an intersection making a left turn at low speed on a city street. The car would not move forward while the engine was running and the transmission in drive. Very luckily, the vehicle was able to coast to a stop clear of traffic. However, the outcome could have been very different.

Upon returning to the Taurus in a parking lot, the transmission did not engage. The gear shift moved as freely as it normally does, but the vehicle would not go into either reverse or drive. I had to have it towed across town. Our mechanic told me today that the torque converter was stripped and had to be replaced and that metal particles from the stripped out pieces had to be cleaned out. Total cost will be about $1800. Mechanic said this is a common issue with Tauruses and windstars of that time, and a look at the complaints on this page confirms it. Disappointing that Ford will not recall for what is obviously a widespread problem. My incident occurred at 88k miles.

Traveling on interstate highway at 70mph. Suddenly the transmission gears disengage and there is no more acceleration. I coast to the side of the road. Engine is running, but the vehicle will not move when shifted in any gear (forward or reverse). Towed to nearest Ford dealership. They suspect torque converter and/or full transmission failure.

Was heading home from fishing to have easter dinner with the family I was in the right lane going to pass a truck on the express way to the left lane, when I went to give it gas to go around him, I got nothing like the car was in neutral, rpms went up and I started slowing down . No noise no nothing so I sat on the side of the road for 2 hours waiting for a tow to get it home. Since it was easter Sunday I had no where to tow it too. I've been doing some research and looks like a torque converter not 100 percent sure until I dig into it. But I did buy this car used and have not had a problem in 2 years, got the extended warranty and what do you know I was 1600 miles over the limit so no warranty. I'm dam well not going to pay for this and ill be calling the finance company to come get it still making payments, cause if it going to cost me 1800 to fix it, no way cars only worth 2500.

Vehicle came to a stop, then lost all drive and reverse. No warning or noises detected. Possible problem might be striped splines in torque converter of transmission. When this happens all pump pressure is lost and the transmission will appear to be in neutral. From what I have heard this is a common problem with this transmission.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2014, I was driving on us hwy 206 in flanders, NJ, when my car stopped responding to the accelerator. The engine was running, but pressing down on the gas pedal did nothing. I quickly maneuvered the car to the shoulder, almost causing an accident. The car wouldn't move in any gear, even reverse, however, nothing was wrong with the engine as it was still running. I was towed home and research the problem. Apparently, this has happened to many other Ford Taurus owners when the splines on the torque converter fail, rendering the transmission inoperable and the car suddenly unresponsive when pressing on the accelerator. I'm lucky I wasn't hit from behind on the highway. This is a dangerous situation that should be investigated. A recall should be issued to address this problem and replace the faulty torque converter. On July 8, 2014, Ford issued a recall for the Ford Taurus, and other models, for the same problem, but my year wasn't part of the recall. Why? in January 2012, Ford issued a recall for faulty torque converters for 450k suvs and vans. But the Taurus wasn't, again, why? are the lives of Taurus owners worth any less than SUV/minivan owners?.

Was going up highway,then without any warning rpms raced,managed to get to side of road no warnings nothing. Starts fine. Any gear seems like neutral or park. Looked online and found several complaints about torque converter splines not being thick enough.

Automatic transmission:torque converter---I own a 2005 Ford Taurus se. Friday sept 27th on my way home I had issues with the transmission going out on a major, very heavily traveled road. I pulled away from a stop light and was traveling approx 35mph when the car stopped "pulling" and the engine rpm's reved past 6k. The car stopped partly in the road where I had to get out on the two lane road and pushed the car the to the side of the road in rush hour traffic. (very dangerous). I called for a tow truck and got the car back to my house. Wondering why the transmission gave out without any warning, I did some reasearch online only to find out that there is a major problem with the 2005 Ford Taurus torque converters where the pump shaft spline is only . 160 thick, and under normal use, the spline wears excessively and eventually fails without warning causing the vehicle to loose its motive power. Now what I dont understand is why hasn't the NHTSA investigated this problem because after more research and speaking with a Ford master mechanic I found out that there is a recall for the same exact problem with the Ford freestar vehicles!! why did the recall only stop with the freestar vehicle when its the same problem on the Taurus? is it going to take a wreck with a fatality to get something done about this problem? I uderstand when parts fail but when you read online to different fourums and there are hundreds if not thousands of complaints about the same problem of the 2005 Taurus this is a major concern which something needs to be done to make Ford accountable especailly whent there is a same issue with a different vehicle that has a recall. Even the master technician said he doesn't know why the recall stopped with the freestar, it's the same exact problem with the 2005 Taurus, and a dangerous one at that. Is any investigation going on with this issue?.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where it was found that the torque converter had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 182,580. The VIN was unavailable.

I was made to believe that Ford authorized for the transmission to be replaced at 80,000 miles(see previous transmission complaint on this VIN). I recently discovered that the only work that was done was a Ford authorized repair to the torque converter, and not a replacment of the transmission as the repairing dealer recommended. At the time of the repair the vehicle was under Ford's extended warranty plan. The vehicle now has 130,000, and it has an intermittent jerk while going from 0-20 mph. The local Ford dealer, along with another independent repair shop, has informed me that the transmission needs to be replaced. I contacted Ford and they informed me that since the vehicle is no longer under warranty there is nothing that they will do. It's my belief ,since the original transmission problem at 80,000, the transmissions in the 2005 are defective.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the engine rpms increased and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder however, the contact was unable to engage in any gear. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who inspected the failure and advised the contact that the transmission or the torque converter may have needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified who stated that there were no recalls for the failure and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the torque converter needed to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. The contact was traveling 35 mph when the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the shoulder and towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic which located the failure at the torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 51,581. Updated 05/10/lj.

Ea09016 this recall should be expanded to include all models of car vehicle with this transmission/issue not just Mini vans. There are quite a number of complaints with the same issue. We had the same issue and during my investigation this appears to be transmission (torque converter related) not vehicle make and model related. I have filed complaints with both NHTSA and Ford only to be told (by Ford) that the recall doesn't apply because it is this decision does not apply to other types of vehicle.

2005 Ford Taurus transmission failed at 56,000mi aamco said was a know issue. And believed a class action suit was filed. Want to be included. Something about the torque converter/spline. Went to store, was driving home, and transmission just went as I was pulling onto the hwy. My family and I could have been killed!.

Torque converter on 2005 Ford Taurus blew up. I was driving down a very busy road during rush hour traffic when my car just stopped. In addition to delaying traffic it was a very unsafe situation for myself and my children who were in the car with my. The mechanic who fixed my car showed me the torque converter and the metal had turned blue from being heated to an extreme heat. He also said that the torque converter blew up sending metal pieces into my transmission. I have talked to several people who have had similar issues and I think it is time that Ford is held accountable for an obviously faulty part. Thank you for your time.

2005 Ford Taurus transmission failed in traffic,had to be pushed across 3 lanes of traffic. 57,000 miles. Mechanic found stripped torque converter pump drive plate. Old part available. Found hundreds of instances of this safety issue occurring online but no recall by Ford as of now.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the engine began to rev and the vehicle started losing speed. The contact was able to pull over and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the torque converter was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. The current mileage was approximately 82,000. Updated 06/29/10 updated 07/06/10.

On February 5,2010 at 4:44 pm,my Ford Taurus se 4dr sdn neglected to proceed from a stop light and was having no problems proceeding prior to that stop light and was still in drive after the light turned green to go,but was not able to proceed and was still in drive and running,thinking I was able to proceed with traffic and not able to, had to push the Taurus off the road with help from other drivers,than call for a tow. I had it towed back to the greenway Ford dealer ship later that night for one hundred and ninety eight dollars out of pocket. After calling the said mentioned dealership above was told that the mechanic couldn't start repairs until 02/08/2010. When the repairs were done after eight hours of mechanical work,I was called to come and pick-up my Ford at the tune of $1,593. 74 of mechanical repairs to the r&r transmission and the torque converter and transmission filter after my warranty expired after 24,000 miles or 24 months,after researching the Ford on the lemon laws found none to be seen or found to be my Ford in question,but did find a defected issue with the transmission mentioned above for that year and model and make,witch I made a copy of for my records,I have concerns and a complaint to be settled there-of with Ford. . . . . . .

O/r transmission let go. . . . R&r transmission torque converter defected and replaced at 69,533 odometer miles,this car is to new to have problems with the torque converter.

The torque converter on my 2005 Taurus broke (69000) which prevented me from engaging a gear. I was in my driveway when this happened and my driveway is a slight slope so trying to figure out what was happening I rolled into the street. Luckily no one was traveling on the street at the time but this could have been far more disastrous then it was.

Transmission failed with no waning. Vehicle stopped moving on highway in traffic. No forward or reverse gears. Ford refuses to acknowledge mass amounts of complaints on same type failure. Torque converter fails. All Ford knowledgeable mechanics repair these problems on regular basis. If you google "Ford Taurus torque converter problems" you will get back 51,000 hits. That is a lot for Ford to say there is no problem. It cost me $1035. 00 to have the torque converter replaced on a 2005 model 52,000 mile vehicle. I think that is a problem. We were very lucky because when the car quit moving a semi truck came very close to running over us. I have corresponded with Ford by email and letter and they said to go away.

Transmission failed in traffic - nearly caused accident with sudden stopping in traffic - this happened at 56000 miles - dealership did quick fix - same thing happened at 51000 miles - torque converter fails with no warning.

Transmission failure of 2005 Ford Taurus. Googled 2005 Taurus transmission problems and found there are many people with the same complaint. Torque converter failure. I believe there is a defect.

I started having problems with the transmission of my Taurus less than one month after having the vehicle inspected and the trans flushed at a dealership as part of my lease-end purchase option (I leased the car for 3 years prior to purchasing it). The car was past the warranty at 64,500 miles and I did not purchase an extended warranty. I returned to the dealership to find out what was wrong. After running their diagnostic test, I was told that something had failed in the transmission but they were not sure what failed. They offered to diagnose the problem by breaking down the trans at a minimum of 10 hours labor at $88. 00 an hour. I contacted Ford customer service for some assistance and was denied because they had no record of my car ever being repaired at any dealership during the life of my lease. I had no problems with my vehicle's operation prior to the transmission being flushed, so there was no reason to take it in for repairs. I had my oil changed every 3000 to 5000 miles and all fluids checked on a regular basis (not at the dealership). I took my car to a licensed transmission shop and had the trans rebuilt for $1,200. 00 the technician told me the failed part was a boost valve in the valve body. They rebuilt the torque converter and installed a new overhaul kit and the boost valve. Eight days after picking up my car, I had to return to the transmission shop because the car was hard to start, the check transmission light came on continuously and the service engine light came on and stayed on. The technician informed me that these problems had nothing to do with the trans but was the mlps (manual lever position sensor) which I had them replace at a cost of $75. 00. I was told by the technician that this sensor had gone bad and caused my initial transmission problems. This was a small, plastic part that the dealership missed somehow during their so-called inspection of the vehicle.

The transmission starting slipping around 38500 miles. It has been repaired 3 times. Hopefully it is fixed at this point. I was almost hit twice because the transmission slipped from 50 mph to 25 mph in a matter of seconds. The vehicles behind me had to slam on brakes and jump lanes to keep from hitting me.

My 2005 Ford Taurus sel with 90,xxx miles on it had its transmission fail. It is still in the shop being repaired, but at this point the torque converter and pump need to be replaced. I was told by the Ford service manager that this is a problem that Ford is aware of but is not doing nothing about. I will be out a minimum of $1,800 for a problem Ford knows about, but does nothing to help their customers. All of my miles are interstate miles and the car has been taken care of in every way. I was driving down my side street road and it was like the car went into neutral. It will not go into any gear. Luckily, I was able to coast into my driveway. The service manager said he has had to fix several of these and I talked with a local transmission mechanic and he agreed that he, too, has had to work on this model and year. Ford needs to own up and help their customers with this problem and with today's economy and all that is going on, I need help.