1998 Ford Taurus LX review from North America

CV failure at 3,500 miles, replaced under warranty.

Radio antenna connector replaced at 4,000 miles, under warranty.

Radio stopped working at 5,000 miles, bad fuse, replaced under warranty.

The rear disk brakes seized at 19,000 miles. The dealer told me it was normal wear and tear.

Radio stopped working at 21,000 miles, bad fuse, replaced under warranty.

The transmission differential failed at 23,000 miles. Dealer reluctantly replaced, did not offer a rental, and took over two months to get the car back.

Radio stopped working at 24,000 miles, bad fuse, replaced under warranty.

Radio stopped working at 26,000 miles, bad fuse, replaced under warranty.

Transmission slipping at 27,000 miles, replaced under warranty.

Radio stopped working at 29,000 miles, bad fuse, replaced under warranty.

Radio stopped working at 30,000 miles, bad fuse, NOT replaced under warranty.

Check Engine Light at 32,000 miles, replaced O2 sensor, not under warranty.

Radio stopped working at 36,000 miles, bad fuse, NOT replaced under warranty.

Rear disk breaks seized at 38,000 miles, dealer advised me not to use emergency brake when parked.

Engine started to stall at 39,000 miles, dealer reluctantly suggested replacing the "Y" Pipe, because of clogged Catalytic Converters, NOT replaced under warranty.

The transmission shift cable broke at 42,000 miles. Dealer says it is out of warranty.

Transmission failure at 45,000 miles (unknown cause), replaced, but not under warranty.

Transmission slipping at 46,000 miles, replaced under warranty (dealer did not fill properly)

Transmission seized at 52,000 miles, replaced, not under warranty.

Transmission 1-2 solenoid stopped working at 56,000 miles, rebuilt by Ford dealer, under warranty.

Engine spun #1 main bearing at 56,000 miles. Not covered under warranty, a.k.a. the last straw.

I purchased this vehicle new, I have all maintenance records for this vehicle.

This car feels like it has spent most of its life in the dealer's service bay. I have only driven it on the highway (I live two lights off of a highway) in order to get to work 60 miles away.

Although the car handles quite well and performs equally well, I don't think I will be able to purchase another Ford based on my experiences with this car. My last 5 cars were Fords, the last one was a 1990 5.0L Crown Victoria.

I haven't had this many problems with a single car since I purchased my 1973 Ford Pinto new, but at least the engine (not to mention the transmission) on the pinto lasted more that 56,000 miles.