Three problems related to instrument panel have been reported for the 2005 Ford Taurus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Ford Taurus based on all problems reported for the 2005 Taurus.
The contact owned a 2005 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that after experiencing a problem with the windshield wipers, she realized that smoke was being emitted from under the wipers. In addition, all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel and the contact experienced a difficult time trying to stop the vehicle before the engine exploded and the vehicle engulfed into flames. The fire department appeared on the scene, but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 85,000. Updated 08/31/lj.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the instrument panel indicators constantly flash. In addition, the speedometer and tachometer work intermittently, and the vehicle starts intermittently. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and they stated that the computer needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 50,000 and failure mileage was 45,000.
I was on vacation driving up the coast of California and I noticed it was becoming increasingly difficult to brake my vehicle and my tachometer would not predictably fall as I let off the gas. It was subtle at first but then became more pronounced so I started shifting the car into neutral to see if it was the engine or something else. After putting it into neutral I noticed the car would not goes less than 2000 rpm on the tachometer. Then it became apparent that the car was accelerating independently of my input through the gas. I pulled into a parking lot and coasted in neutral, parked and shut off the engine. As I have some automotive mechanic experience, I figured something was wrong with the throttle linkage or something was stuck in the throttle plate. On inspection, I noticed the cruise control linkage and slid off. I then went to radioshack and bought some small zip ties and zip tied the linkage in place. It is to this day held in place with zip ties and I haven't had any problems since (108,000 miles currently). I saw that the NHTSA was investigating these vehicles for the same complaints and thought I'd report my incident in hopes of helping others.