A person must be crazy to expect the average automatic transmission to last 180,000+ miles. Good grief. I have never had a Toyota or Honda last that long, except for an OLD 'Yota SR5 pickup that finally rusted out at over 200k.
My 99 Taurus LX stripped-down, barebones machine was the most reliable car I've ever had, overall. I experienced some quirky issues but I was able to take care of all of them with simple, cheap fixes. For example: The infamous dome light that never goes off, just spray some lubricant into the door latches and voila, problem solved.
My only major issue was that my transmission went at 130,000 miles; I considered that great because of all the folks complaining about replacing theirs at 50k or 60k. Not to mention it was the "weaker" model transmission, the AX4S (compared to the AX4N).
Perhaps I got lucky... I see many more complaints about the '96 - '99 Taurus than the previous generation ('95 and earlier). But mine was a reliable workhorse to the end.
Oh Man!!! What a piece of garbage!!! Dig this list everyone;
- Replaced wheel bearings - $200.00 each
- Replaced ball joints - $200.00 each
- Replaced power steering pump... twice - $300.00
- Replaced power steering rack and pinion... 3 times!!! $2700.00
- Replaced heater core - $150.00
- Replaced brakes front and back 5 times - about $400.00
- Still steering shaking problems
- Replaced wheel knuckle driver side - $500.00
- Replaced axle driver side - $300.00
- Replaced wiper motor - $150.00
- Replaced transmission - $2700.00
- Replaced all brake lines and fuel lines - $1000.00
The only thing going for me is that I had to buy a parts car. Only $100.00 figures.
Never a Ford again. Everyone says that and Ford should start to figure out why it is going into receivership. Only foreign for me from now on. Ford... you suck!!!
My 99 taurus is a piece of crap!! It only has 84,000 miles on it and has given me more problems and headaches than any car I have ever owned. I will never buy a FORD again!!!
The author of the 12/4/08 comment either has an incompetent mechanic or is doing his own repairs none too well.
That would be the only explanation for having to replace the steering rack and pinion three times.
Not a lack of quality in the car itself.
"A person must be crazy to expect the average automatic transmission to last 180,000+ miles"
Call the Loony Bin guys for us. Our 1975 Ford made 325,000+ miles with the original automatic transmission (with never a repair) and engine. Our 1977 Buick (sold this year) had 277,000 miles on the original automatic with never a repair to ANYTHING on the car. I sold my Dodge in 1999 with over 240,000 miles. It never had ANYTHING done to it except two timing belts, two brake jobs and a heater hose. Our family still has my dad's 1955 Pontiac with over 250,000 miles on it. It has been restored and the engine rebuilt, HOWEVER, the factory original 4-speed hydramatic has never been touched and shifts as good as new.
As a mechanic I get tired of people who know very little about cars condemning them due to 1) Abuse 2) Lack of maintenance 3) Unscrupulous mechanics who come up with non-existent problems to get their money and 4) Poorly done repairs that cause MORE problems than they have solved.
Oh, and by all means, run out and buy one of those "magical" imports that last forever. I tried three of them in the 80's and early 90's. NEVER AGAIN. All of them have been rusting in junkyards for well over a DECADE now, while our Fords and GMs just keep going year after year.
I did have to shell out $10 for a light bulb for my 8-year-old GM recently. I was VERY upset. $10 is a lot of money to spend on a domestic in just 8 years. I usually get at least 10 years for $.0.
I have a 99 Taurus LX with the standard 3.0L engine. I've owned the car for about 6 years and it has about 92K miles on it. I bought it used with 23K miles.
The engine has been pretty reliable, but I have had countless other problems with the car. The transmission failed at 50K miles. It cost me about $2,000 to have it rebuilt.
The brakes are horrible and I have had to put front brake pads and rotors several times already.
Now at 92K miles, the power steering pump started making really loud sounds. I put in a new power steering pump and it still makes a lot of noise. I did some research online and it appears that the steering rack may be gone. The transmission is also starting to act up again. These cars are known for having unreliable transmissions and horrible brakes. It is time for a new car. I am done buying anything from Ford or any other American automaker.
Bought 99 taurus se with 84,000 on it. Now have 133,000 on it. Replaced transmission for 1900. Replaced frame under front of car, it had almost completely rusted away. Replaced gas pipe leading to gas tank with rusted holes in it. Replaced both transmission lines. Replaced speed sensor. Several lights are burned out on dash. Replaced radio. Car has slight miss going up hill. Suspecting maybe coil pack. Sitting here wondering what will be next. Gee I love fords.
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