On 3/17/01- we were stranded on the side of the road when the car just quit. After being towed we were told the alternator was bad. At our personal cost it was replaced. The alternator was again replaced in August 2001. Then again the lights went dim, the dome light stayed on, the wipers went on whenever and the power door buttons just went up and down whenever. Again in August 2002 the Ford dealer replaced the alternator. Now in Feb. 2004 the same problems are happening. However 749 miles after the extended warranty the dealer is now saying that there is an electrical problem causing the alternator problem. Why was this never discovered before? Why doesn't Ford stand behind its repairmen and servicemen? I was always led to believe Ford was a better company and had better products. The 1999 Ford Taurus does have some type of system electrical/alternator problem that Ford is denying. This makes the vehicle unreliable.
Ford needs to stand behind the electrical problems and the cars just dying before a crash and death occurs.
One thing I have seen about ford products they are only good for like 3 years before they start to look old/outdated. The parts and things are not that good of quality. The new ford 500 or what ever already looks old and outdated and its still FWD. The FWD drive on fords are already crap. I give up take a look guys @ new chrysler 300 base models nice package and you won't be sorry one bit.
I have a Ford Tarus SE that I bought in St.George Utah last April 2003. It was OK for about a month then every thing started it would over heat and we would be without a car for 2 to 3 days then finally it would start. So I took it into ford they said nothing is wrong, well finally when my car was smoking they admitted there was a problem they fixed I thought. I moved to Logan in December and on January 23 the engine blew it completely shut shut down and it was locked up, I took it to ford they had the warranty company come and take a look well they said we drove it and ruined the engine well we fought with them for a solid month until finally we had it. We had towed to another place and they said we needed an all new engine it cost us 1200 bucks that we did not have but we needed our transportation so we paid it. Since then the steering has gone out the rack and pinon has gotten a clog and we still can not get the warranty to cover it so we live with problem until we have the 800 bucks to fix it again.
This car is pain no wonder they call ford fix or repair daily. I like my car very much but its a pain to get fixed.
I was given a 99 Ford Taurus by my father and seem to be experiencing similar problems that other owners have. My wipers come on without me turning them on. My rear window defroster is not working. My lights for the radio in the car turn on off and on. If I drive over a bump the radio light will come on and then go off. There is a problem with my dash board coming apart and I had a wheel bearing go on me.
It sounds like a lot of people are having the windshield wiper problem and there should be a recall concerning this problem. I have to agree with other owners, it is not the best made vehicle.
I too own a ford tarus with electrical problems it started with the radio lights flashing on and off then the radio completly died on me and the windshield wipers go on and off by themselves also the windows still go up and down with no key in the ignition wich makes it very unsafe if you have small children around which I do they need to take responsiblilty for these problems.
I also own a 99 ford Taurus with similar problems. nobody I take the car too seems to know what is wrong with it.
I have 1 1999 Taurus SE. Horrible transmission, pathetic electrical system, compromised brake technology, fickle windshield wipers (running on w/o being turned on), and the problems continue. This car is something else!! Where's the corporate accountability here?
Heartbroken in Chicago.
I also have problems with the wipers coming on for no reason. My new problem is with the power steering pump. I had it replaced and it is still not working. Something about it being clogged up and the fluid builds up pressure and blows all over the motor. Also, my heat will only work on low-- only when the car is moving, when just sitting at an intersection it will blow cold air.
Somebody please give me some ideas about the power steering pump.
Getting fed up in Georgia.
I have a 199 Ford Taurus that I have enjoyed very much for most of its 148 K miles. However, lately, the electrical system seems to be going haywire. The battery died two weeks ago, while sitting in a parking lot. (I had the key to the "On" position so I could open my window)
Now, the interior lights stay on upon entering or exiting the vehicle. The icon on the dashboard says one of the doors is open. I have stopped, gotten out and slammed each door more than once- on three different occasions - just to be sure they were all closed. This did not resolve the problem.
Any ideas? Besides getting a new car?
"I have a 199 Ford Taurus that I have enjoyed very much for most of its 148 K miles. However, lately, the electrical system seems to be going haywire. The battery died two weeks ago, while sitting in a parking lot. (I had the key to the "On" position so I could open my window)
Now, the interior lights stay on upon entering or exiting the vehicle. The icon on the dashboard says one of the doors is open. I have stopped, gotten out and slammed each door more than once- on three different occasions - just to be sure they were all closed. This did not resolve the problem.
Any ideas? Besides getting a new car?"
If the original battery is in the car, it's not unreasonable that it would be ready to die. Also, if the battery terminals and cables have never been cleaned, it could be a bad connection. One time it starts, the next time it doesn't and just clicks. It's just a matter of getting a wire brush and steel wool on the battery terminals, and the insides of the battery clamps, and then spraying the cables with the red anti-corrosion spray when the clamps are reinstalled. Probably time to buy a new battery, if you haven't already.
The door ajar issue is because your door latches need to be lubricated, and the little plunger or contact on the door jamb. Get some WD-40 and spray down the door latches and the locking mechanism in the door jamb. Also do the door hinges, door handles, inside the key lock, etc. You may have a little pad with gold or brass squares on the inside of the door -- that's an electrical contact that has probably gotten too corroded for the circuit to tell the warning light to go off.
No sense in getting a new car when there's nothing wrong with your current one. They all need a little maintenance -- no such thing as a no-maintenance car, unless you buy new and trade every three years.
1999 Taurus. 167,000 ks.
I have recently been experiencing the radio light going on and off intermittently as well as the wipers coming on when not turned on. My biggest issue is the heater only blowing extremely HOT air and no A/C working.
I purchased a used taurus; it had 40,000 miles since then I have replaced the Freeze Plugs $700 I live in Nevada, the transmission was rebuilt ($1650) , the heater broke this winter, now it is over 100% and the air cnditioner does not work. What is next - a new car.
I have a 2003 taurus se I like the car it has 91000 miles on it and it runs great and still looks like new, but the wiper on the driver side is now going way past where it should to the left the wipers were working fine one day and the next day they are not useable.
I have a 1999 Ford Taurus that seemed like a great deal. My first car was a 1993 Taurus that never gave me any problems; however, the '99 has given me countless headaches. Two months after purchasing it, the alternator went out while I was on a cross country trip. Then, the windshield wipers started going on for no reason (especially when the turn signals are engaged). Then, five months later, I had to replace the alternator again. Then I had to have the thermostat replaced. Then, on another cross country trip, the engine overheated. I was close to a Ford garage and they charged me an arm and leg to get a new thermostat (I had just replaced it not three days earlier) and radiator. Since then, I've had to replace both front hubs, spark plugs, a battery, leaking head gasket, and now, probably the last time before it ends up in a junk heap, the battery and alternator went dead. Oh, I should mention that this will be the third time in a year I have had to replace the alternator. Obviously there is a huge problem, an electrical one that I, nor anybody I take it to can seem to find. If anyone has any idea on what to do, please post it.
CJ.
1999 Taurus Wagon 24V, 3.8L 112K miles. No major problems, but many little ones. Ditto the wipers suddenly coming on by themselves and the "low coolant" warming lamp, (screwy GEM design?). Lame toothed plastic strip that retracts the antenna broke a long time ago. I almost crash every time the windshield fogs up looking to find the damn button to push to turn on the defrost, (maybe they figured you can't see outside anyway so take your time looking around inside..?). A minor engine oil leak developed a couple years ago; it never got any worse so I never bothered with it and keep a pail of speedy-dry on shelf in garage. Insignificant 'padding' on the door arm rests; sore left elbow every long trip to remind me that I own a Ford. Accelerator pedal action far too sensitive to get a slight increase from idle; makes starting out on ice require very delicate foot work to get going, (it's simply bad automotive design). Weird tire wear pattern on rears; cure is don't forget to rotate often. On the plus side - it still handles quite well and has plenty of power. Tranny seems okay. Less rust than I expected on a Ford by now. Brakes seem fine to me, (someone mentioned them as a problem?).
I bought a 99 Taurus last week.. Now all of sudden.. the interior lights stay on and the door ajar light it lit. All doors are closed and latched. All doors lock and unlock with no issues.
Sometimes when I start driving they lights will turn off.. but most of the time they stay on. I've had to unplug all the fuses and plug them back in like 20 times, so my battery won't die. It's such a pain, considering the fact that the fuse panel is not exactly east to get to!!
Any ideas on what to do??