2001 Ford Taurus Reviews - Page 2 of 15

2001 Ford Taurus SES V6 from North America

Model year2001
Year of manufacture2001
First year of ownership2008
Most recent year of ownership2009
Engine and transmission V6 Automatic
Performance marks 8 / 10
Reliability marks 7 / 10
Comfort marks 7 / 10
Dealer Service marks 0 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
5.4 / 10
Distance when acquired86254 miles
Most recent distance90036 miles
Previous carPontiac Firebird

Summary:

You get what you pay for

Faults:

Dealer I bought the car from only gave a one week warranty. The week after I bought it the remote key less entry system shorted. Cost $300 to replace.

One month later at 87000 miles the engine pulley snapped while I was driving down the freeway with my 1 year old niece. Belt also broke when this happened. Was in the shop for a week and cost $500 to fix.

Two months later at 87860 miles, the drivers front door handle stopped working. I took the door handle apart, but did not see anything wrong. Mechanic said the whole door handle assembly would need to be replaced. It would cost $200. I refuse to pay for that. I now roll down my window and open the door from the outside.

One week later at 87921 while driving in 100 degree weather my air conditioning compressor went out causing the A/C to completely quit working. Mechanic said it would be over a thousand dollars to fix. I can live without the A/C.

General Comments:

This car has great handling and is very quick when it needs to be. It is great on long trips and is very comfortable.

I bought this car because of the space inside. I am six foot five so I need a bigger car. It is very roomy but has given me nothing but problems. I owned a 1986 Pontiac Firebird before this car and sold it to buy this car. I paid 8,600 for the car and still owe 5,000.

I wish I could sell it, but these cars are only worth around 2,000 dollars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 2009

2001 Ford Taurus SES 3.0 Vulcan from North America

Model year2001
Year of manufacture2001
First year of ownership2002
Most recent year of ownership2009
Engine and transmission 3.0 Vulcan Automatic
Performance marks 6 / 10
Reliability marks 7 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Dealer Service marks 3 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
5.8 / 10
Distance when acquired21000 miles
Most recent distance91000 miles
Previous carFord Thunderbird

Summary:

Some are good, and this one isn't

Faults:

Spark knock since nearly new with 87 octane fuel; fine with 89 or higher octane.

Premature wear on rear brakes; rear drums were worn to the steel in the lower third; drums on front portion were nearly new in appearance. Replaced all brakes plus drums and rotors at 75k.

Had to have crankshaft bearings replaced at 57k; it was excessive clearance. The oil light would flash below 1000 rpm if engine had been running approximately 60 minutes or longer.

Anti-lock brakes periodically engage on level ground and in dry weather. Began at around 50k.

Excessive fuel consumption since purchase. In similar driving environment, one tank has yielded 12 mpg with the next yielding around 20 mpg.

I have dumped gallons of fuel injector cleaner and carbon cleaner in this car, to no avail on fuel consumption and pre-detonation issue.

Sometimes it makes terrific power, sometimes it strains to pull itself.

Sometimes brakes have a hard pedal when first started. Draining all brake fluid and flushing system did not fully remedy the problem.

General Comments:

Don't buy anything that started life as a rental.

Do maintain it as close to recommended as you can. I have, but it has still been problematic.

I have missed my '96 Thunderbird a lot since buying this car.

It is comfortable to drive and looks great on the inside, despite it harboring a child from age 5 months to age 7.

I've driven many other Taurus's of this vintage, and none have had the challenges this one has had.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st August, 2009

2001 Ford Taurus SES 3.0 Vulcan from North America

Year of manufacture2001
First year of ownership2007
Most recent year of ownership2008
Engine and transmission 3.0 Vulcan Automatic
Performance marks 7 / 10
Reliability marks 9 / 10
Comfort marks 8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 9 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)
8.3 / 10
Distance when acquired157000 miles
Most recent distance175000 miles
Previous carFord Escort

Summary:

Very good car

Faults:

Set of front rotors.

One 02 sensor.

Brake master cylinder.

General Comments:

Purchased Sept 2007 and the car has been a pleasure to own.

This model has ABS and traction control, power seats and adjustable pedals.

The items that have been replaced are service items only. The new rotors solved the notorious brake and shake, but even new they still needed to be turned before installing.

Fuel mileage runs 25-32 if you keep your right foot out of it and maintain correct tire pressures.

Overall, for 2500.00 dollars, and that included a brand new set of 80,000 mile tires, it has been a very good purchase.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th November, 2008

7th Jun 2009, 22:39

I am now at 185000 miles and just completed a 2000 mile trip. No problems at all since my original review and the Taurus continues to please. I'd have another if they were all like this.

16th Aug 2010, 20:50

This Taurus is now at 202000 miles and continues to to serve me well with no problems to report at all. It has been a good car and I hope to get many more miles.

8th Jan 2012, 00:47

Odometer is at 214000 now, and all continues to be well with this Taurus. The occasional service item has needed replacing, otherwise routine maintenance only.

20th Oct 2012, 17:28

Thank you for the updates, it's nice to know how the car performs over time.

24th Oct 2012, 17:52

I am 30 miles shy of 226,000 miles now, and it just keeps on going. I only wish I could start back at zero!

25th Oct 2012, 18:55

The Taurus is a very underrated car, and very good value for the money if you ask me. My parents drive a 2005, and after putting 180k on it, you would still think you are driving a brand new car, everything works fine, no noises or rattles, drives great on the highway, gets good gas mileage, and has always been reliable.

Only maintenance it has needed is 1 new battery, brake pads, oil changes, and tires.

I also really like the rear passenger seating; lots of legroom compared to most cars these days.

29th Dec 2012, 20:27

Thank you for the comments. I sold this Taurus with 227,000 miles, still running great, and easily passing California enhanced smog test, and replaced it with a lower mileage 2005 Taurus SEL. Here's hoping that I get the same good service from this one, and I will review it over time. Cheers...

Average review marks: 7.1 / 10, based on 50 reviews