Faults:

Power steering rack.

Brakes, all 4, 2 disc/rotors, 2 shoes/drums.

Low coolant fluid on all the time.

Other than the rack going bad again, it's only 1000.00 at a crack, it looks good.

General Comments:

Good overall.

Faults:

Before I bought it in 8/05:fuel pump, coolant sensor, seat belt assembly... within 22K..all under warranty.

At 45,696...Front and rear brakes... rotors and drums cut/resurfaced.

At 50,712...Front stabilizer links, THEN at 53,520...front struts/bearing plates. Premature if you ask me.

Purchased at 55K (8/05) and at 56,429...Front right wheel bearing. $200 plus. Premature if you ask me.

At 72,388...rear brakes again, drums cut/resurfaced.

At 72,885...new front rotors only, pads still had 80% left from 45,696.

And recently, for the first time, the biggest price tag yet... At 114,688...Front brakes and rotors; ball joints; and an alignment. $783.00.

General Comments:

General comments since I have owned it... low volume squeal when making left turns, intermittent clunking/clicking noise from motor when idling, water leak into the passenger side with heavy rain, never can get a full tank of gas unless you stand there and wait to top it off, general road noise... not a quiet riding car. Always have to re-tighten the radio antenna... gets loose from vibration. And if fuel level is low... the car might not start if it is resting facing up hill.

The way the transmission works, car always wants to just Go... therefore lots of high speed braking (especially downhill) which eventually warps the rotors from excessive heat build-up. Maybe this is why folks have premature problems with rack and pinion, control arms, ball joints, steering. One thing leads to another, and that all leads right back to FORD design.

The engine doesn't work against itself to help slow the car down. RPM's remain high. It's all braking. If I didn't brake going down a hill... the car would go 90 miles an hour all on it's own. And continue to do so after leveling out for at least a half a mile. Scary!!

Now at 115K...Other than basic maintenance, (i.e.-oil changes, filters, tires, spark plugs, coolant service, transmission service, new battery, serpentine belts, wiper blades) and after reading some of these reviews/comments...I have been one of the lucky ones it seems.

Haven't had any problems with rack and pinion, door ajar light, interior dome light, wind noise, wipers and all the small pain in the butt things that cost very little for the part, but a lot of money in labor.

And yes, the cruise control works eventually, but takes a few tries to get it working.

A/C works fine, but getting heat in the winter takes a little time and constant playing with the temperature control.

Faults:

We replaced the original transmission at 216,000 miles.

We replaced the alternator at 210,000 miles.

We have had some annoyance with blower motors, but if a dependable local shop is used in leiu of the dealer, blowers can be replaced for under 100.00.

General Comments:

This is our third Taurus for my wife and I; our 5th Taurus as a family. The Taurus is a car, like any other, that requires service and maintenance consistently and thoroughly.

Prudent service (3000-3500 miles for oil changes, 15-20K for trans service, regular cooling system monitoring and flush intervals) makes for a car based on 3 Tauruses personally that will serve you very well.

The first Taurus went 96K with no major problems prior to turn in (company car). The second was great with only a minor AC pressure switch issue corrected early in the cycle under warranty. Went 67K in that one before turn in (company car). Third current Taurus is a personally owned vehicle, and has served well for 262K+; still runs very well and has really good power, but uses little oil.

One consistent and regular component of the longevity of the car is oil every 3000-3500 miles, trans service every 12-15K, mid grade or better gas. and general attention to the car.

Rest assured this baby has NOT been pampered in the driving department, though. It has had long trips (a lot) as well as a great deal of city stop and go. I am almost 60 and had V8's (large and powerful) before getting the first Taurus with a 6. I drive these cars much like I did the V8 ones, with excellent stamina and durability.

I don't know or understand where all these folks had their issues with their Tauruses originate from. I am certain there are lemons in any car. But I also wonder if we were to speak one on one with these people and look at their on going maintenance, what would the story be?

Got to take care of any vehicle, even a Sherman Tank!

The car handles well, is still very good on gas and only has minor annoyances like the blower motor and its associated relay, which goes every few years.

Overall, we have history with Tauruses that proves if you take care of them, they will hold up very well.