1999 Ford Taurus SE from North America - Comments

This car was purchased used, a one-owner new car trade (the previous owners bought a 2006 Taurus). My wife liked the navy blue color and the jellybean shape and I couldn't talk her out of it.

The car was problematic from the start. When we bought it, the Check Engine light was on and because of the Clean Air Act, the dealer was required to fix it before a sale. It took three days, five emissions tests, and the replacement of the EGR valve, DPFE solenoid, and several vacuum lines to get it to pass. Three months later, the light was on again for the same codes. I replaced another vacuum line and it stayed fixed for a few more months. We learned to live with the light as it came and went and was always the same P0401 code (insufficient EGR flow).

The driver's seatback was broken two ways. One, it leaned back too far on one side and was uncomfortable. Two, a bracket was broken in the seat and if you put your weight on it, it would poke you with a sharp metal edge. I ruined many pairs of pants in this car as did my wife. We replaced the seat with a 1998 Taurus seat and the problem resurfaced six months later with the used seat. We layered it with duct tape and didn't tear any more clothes after that.

The tachometer worked whenever it wanted to, which was usually for the 5 minutes after smacking the dashboard. The speedometer needle was jerky and couldn't decide between 60, 65, and the correct mph at any speed above 60mph.

The windshield wipers have a mind of their own when turned off. Sometimes they swipe when you use the turn signals. Sometimes they swipe when you use the horn. Sometimes they swipe on the second Sunday in May at 12 o'clock when the bells ring and the car is turned off and no one is near it. One thing, they never parked in the up position like I see on some Fords, but I'm sure that was next in its bag of tricks.

The radio had horrible AM reception but FM was fine. The cassette deck was broken when we got it so I never had a chance to see if it was noisy as well.

The left rear power window stopped working one day and worked fine six months down the road after I slammed the driver's door in anger about the EGR code coming back the day the inspection was due. It stopped working again after we spent $230 on another EGR valve.

The transmission was suspect after we moved to a rural area. There was a railroad crossing near our home and we had to slow down to a crawl to cross it, and coming down on the other side the car would buck and lurch into second gear. This is due to the AX4S transmission design where it can only make one shift at a time. It cannot skip gears like 3-1 or 2-4. So when coming down the grade, the transmission is in first and wants to go to third because we're going 12-15mph, but it has to go to second first and it slams into second then slips into third. It got very annoying and I began slowing to a stop before the crossing and shifting into "1". Then after clearing the grade, I would upshift back to D and then OD. There is an AX4N transmission that is of a better design. If you are dead set on getting a Taurus, MAKE SURE to get the AX4N transmission. All Duratec engines (1996-2005) get the AX4N. Some Vulcans got it from 1994-1999 but they are rare. It's hit and miss from 2000-2003. All 2004-2007 Tauruses have the AX4N. AX4S transmissions have 17 bolts holding the pan on. AX4N transmission have 19 bolts. Count the bolts to be absolutely sure. This is the single most important thing I want to stress in this review. UNLESS you are willing to drive a certain way, DO NOT get a Taurus with the AX4S transmission.

The car began overheating at 122,000 miles. We spent over $1200 over the next 13,000 miles trying to diagnose and repair the cooling problem. The following were replaced: thermostat, water outlet and gasket, upper and lower radiator hoses, all the coolant, the water pump, the coolant overflow bottle hose, the radiator cap, and the radiator itself. The engine was compression and leakdown tested and was not out of spec. The exhaust system was not restricted. The coolant temperature sensor was fine. We gave up and let the car get repossessed when it got to the point that we couldn't drive it for more than 10 minutes before it got hot.

If every component of the cooling system was replaced, there should have been no reason to continue overheating. I consider this generation of Taurus to be a disposable car. If you're going to buy one, pay cash, and don't pay more than you are willing to lose at a blackjack table. My wife insisted on getting this car for its looks and driving comfort (for her!) and we put up with it as long as possible. We paid $1300 down and $260 a month for 18 months (the note was 30 months). That was based on a $7995 sales price. I could have paid $2000-$2500 and bought one for cash had I done more research. In fact today, the 1998-1999 Tauruses sell for $500-$1500 cash and this is all I would pay.

Again I want to stress checking the transmission before you buy. Unless you wish to be extremely aware of your throttle position, grade, and road speed at all times to keep the transmission from attempting the double shift it WANTS to make but CANNOT because of the hydraulic design, DO NOT get a Taurus with the AX4S transmission. Look for a Duratec engined or 2004-up Taurus to be sure, or count the bolts on the pan (you want 19, not 17).

Well I would just like to comment on your problems with your Taurus.

I live in a small town where we have a Ford Plant so most people in the city generally own a Ford car or Truck. I know many people who own a Taurus from that generation and the previous. I have not personally heard of anyone who has had the problems you have had. It is too bad because these cars are really quite proficient.

I own a 99 and have owned since 01' when it had 52k miles logged. Since then we (my wife and I) have logged close to 200k more on the old car. In that entire time we have looked after it but the only time it has broken down in that entire time was when the starter quit. I am not downplaying the problems you have had. All I am saying is that I do not believe that in general they are bad cars. I would say they are dependable, sensible cars arguably as good as anything produced anywhere else in the world.

I also am good friends with a local flooring companies manager. He says they have 6 Taurus ranging in age for their reps, and they have generally all been very reliable without any major problems.

These are good cars; bottom line you had a lemon.