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Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

2996 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2012 at 9:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 134 of 300

#1329 of 2996 Troubled 2002 Taurus SES Transmission by ajkehrer

Aug 08, 2004 (1:30 pm)

Bought 2002 SES new in Apr 2002. After 603 miles, transaxle warning light came on, dealer and engineering Ford decided to replace whole transmission. Now at 53K miles, 2 yrs old, full transmission failure. No indications or problems prior to this failure. No warning light either. Dealership found a lot of metal in the trans. pan. Ford dragging feet in backing their product to replace the transmission, even though it has a prior problematic history. Anyone else reporting such issues with the transmissions in the 02 Taurus?

#1330 of 2996 Duratec/Vulcan by dilbertzzz

Aug 09, 2004 (3:40 pm)

We are buying a had-been-a-California-rental (apparently) 2003 SES with a bit less than 19,000 miles on it, Vulcan in front, Ford-certified and all. It's clean and Carfax checked out (no charge for that from the dealer in Grapevine, TX). Paying $11,180 ($12,019 out the door -- hard bargaining between wife and Used Car Sales Manager). Seems a reasonable, if not totally stellar deal for here in North Texas.
 
We had test driven one listing for about $400 less, but it seemed to have a changed-out odometer (shame! shame!) and sounded like an old clunker. Wouldn't buy from that dealer ever.
 
I test drove a Duratec (also very clean) just to see if there was any noticeable difference. The Duratec with just my wife and I inside didn't accelerate all that much better than the Vulcan with my wife, myself, the sales lady, my 5 and 3 year olds inside. Neither would win a drag race with my 2003 Yukon XL even as we had it loaded for this summer's vacation (4 adults, 14 year old BIG boy, 10 year old girl, and the aforementioned 5 and 3 year olds together with luggage enough for all to cover a 2 week vacation).
 
That's OK though. I didn't buy it for drag racing anyway. I got it to get a reasonably-priced, highly-crash-test-rated, hopefully-reliable vehicle for my only-twice-a-week-but-30-miles-each-way commute through the dangers of Dallas-area rush hour traffic. (In the two years I've been doing this commute -- only twice a week, remember -- I've seen 4 or 5 cars upside down, perhaps a dozen other major multi-car accidents, as well as the usual stand-your-hair-on-end close calls; a couple of the latter almost-involving me. It's worse than a jungle out there!)
 
Interestingly, on the way down to look at the Taurus, we passed an accident in a construction zone. A big box truck had a Taurus wedged up at about a 45 degree angle on the concrete barrier (those double-angle types designed to deflect vehicles up rather than smashed), facing backward,and apparently still pretty much intact.
 
I'm guessing that the Taurus attempted an ill-advised sudden lane change trying to reach the left turn lane a hundred or so yards further along. The truck must have clipped him and spun him around. Then the Taurus hit the barrier hard enough going backward to force the passenger side wheels up the side of the barrier. Meanwhile the truck, doubtless sliding on locked-up wheels, pinned the car up and probably forced it to the eventual angle before both slid to a stop.
 
I suppose the driver got out of the Taurus with some difficulty as the driver's side was wedged in by the truck and the pavement (that is I think maybe his driver's side tires were on the ground, but they might not have been!). The high side of the car had to be a good 8 feet up in the air and hanging over the dirt where Highway 121 will eventually have 6 main lanes.

#1331 of 2996 Overheating by davscool

Aug 14, 2004 (1:19 pm)

Can anyone explain why a car may be steaming up even though the temperature gauge stays at the normal level?

#1332 of 2996 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 18, 2004 (9:38 am)

Yep. The temperature sending unit can only read hot water, not steam. If the coolant level is low in the system, the sending unit can be fooled.

#1333 of 2996 Car or Dealer: by jokev2

Aug 19, 2004 (2:53 pm)

I don't know too much about cars, but I've had a Chevy Impala, VW Bug, Mercury Cougar, and now my 94 Taurus LX. I bought my Taurus used in 1997 with 26,000 miles on it. I test drove it twice and really liked it and then decided to buy it. That was on a Saturday. By Monday, it was back at the dealer's for a new ignition, a new radio/cassette player, and jerks in my transmission. Even though I had a warranty, the dealership's service dept. wouldn't touch the transmission until they knew exactly what was wrong with it. Of course, they wouldn't take my word for it and when the serviceman drove it with me as a passenger), it didn't jerk. I had that car in for trans service 15 times in 4 years. Right before my warranty ran out at 72,000 miles, I took it in for the last time and told them that if it wasn't fixed and I had an accident, my family would own the dealership's two businesses and sue Ford, too, since I had already alerted my lawyer about my problem with them. To top it off, the original dealer had sold his business to another Ford dealer and all the computer records were conveniently "lost". They were shocked when I told them I had every invoice from day one and only then did they call in a Ford transmission specialist. It was so bad that Ford put in a brand new one and I didn't even pay labor costs (I refused to!). I was a fool for not threatening them earlier! I keep it serviced regularly, I love driving it and now have 134,000 miles on it, with hardly any problems until last year when I had problems with steering. To make a long story short, with many trips for service (and many big bucks), the entire steering system had to be replaced. Then, early this year, I was driving on the PA turnpike in a snow storm and my electrical system went out, would go on when I pulled over and idled, but went out again when I started driving. What a nightmare with kids in the car!! I was told that there was a short in the circuits and a wire was burnt! Fixed that to the tune of $348.00. After that happened, I have had trouble with starting the car and stalling. The entire electrical system was tested and everything that could possibly cause this was checked out, so I was told and they could find nothing wrong. I did buy a new battery (the 2nd in 8 yrs), though. The problem still persisted until one day the car wouldn't start at a gas pump after I filled it with gas. I had it towed to the dealer and they found a problem in the "starter box" and replaced it (for another 300 odd dollars). I asked why they had told me previously that they could find nothing wrong and they said that this problem can't be diagnosed until the car actually dies. Well, dumb me, I thought that the problem was fixed, but today, my car hesitated when I started it, and driving through a traffic light 5 miles later, my car stalled. Luckily, I had enough power to pull over. I turned off the A/C and radio, turned the car off, and then restarted it with no problem and it's been fine all day. And, just yesterday, my trans started jerking again. What a headache! So, this afternoon, I took it to the dealer again to have both the stalling and jerking checked out and lo and behold, it jerked when he drove it, too. Their service schedule is so full that they can't work on it until next Friday. They have constantly told me there have been no recalls on this car. Is this true? Also,could someone tell me what the letters SE and SES stand for and are those models in a lower category than the LX? I feel stupid asking, but such is life! I am learning a lot about cars and dealers since I've had this Taurus since my other cars simply had no major problems at all. And neither has my husband had problems with his Silverado, nor my daughter with her Toyota. I am Corolla and Saturn. Since there are many used car sales going on right now, I feel I need to get away from Ford and buy something different.

#1334 of 2996 Re: Car or Dealer: [jokev2] by snowman

Aug 19, 2004 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: jokev2 (Aug 19, 2004 2:53 pm)
I think SE and SES is for Generation 4 Tauruses.
SES has 150 hp Vulcan engine, SE - I think - may have 150 hp or 200Hp Duractec engine.
For the recall issue, just call Ford and give your VIN, they will tell you whether your car is due for a recall.
 
I have my SES for 3 years, not a single issue with transmission or engine.

#1335 of 2996 Transmission Question by headachenj

Aug 20, 2004 (10:42 am)

I have just purchased a 1997 Sable GS during the initial test drive all seemed good. The interior and exterior of car is immaculate. But on the 2nd day I noticed the car jumps and the speedometer was not moving, then it just started working again. I think it may be the transmission. Today is actually my 3rd day driving and it has not done it. I have to go to PA tomorrow should I take the chance. Car has 98,000 miles??? Help!!

#1336 of 2996 Re: Transmission Question [headachenj] by snowman

Aug 20, 2004 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: headachenj (Aug 20, 2004 10:42 am)
Looks like tranny is slipping. Check the oil, if you see bubles, that means to much oil in it. Suck some of it out thru dipstcik by vinly tube. Seller might put extra oil to cover up some leakage or some other issue. Check th ebottom of the car to see it si leaking tranny oil or not.

#1337 of 2996 Car or Dealer by jokev2

Aug 21, 2004 (1:06 pm)

Thanks, Snowman, for the info. I am currently looking for another car. No more Taurus for me!

#1338 of 2996 jokev2 by fdthird

Aug 23, 2004 (6:19 am)

Tell me you are kidding. You have a 10 year old Taurus with 134,000 miles on it and you are acting like its a brand new car and you've had all these problems in the first 3 months! Lets be reasonable...the car has been in your family for 7 years and you've put almost 110,000 miles on it.
 
When cars get old they start to drive you nuts...those of us who have had "old" cars have all experienced it. At some point, it becomes clear that in the long run its easier on your mind (and sometimes even your wallet) to move on. I think that's the point you're at...and think you'd be in the same position whatever kind of car you were driving.

Messages Page 134 of 300

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