Ever since I have owned this car the heater has not worked. Took it in twice to have it fixed and now a third time.
The first time they replaced the thermostat which was $500.00. It only had about 45000 miles on it. Second time was when I got it back, the heat still did not work. Then they said it needed the heater core flushed out. The third time, the heater still did not work. Now they are telling me that the heater core needs replaced and since it was not replaced the first time the thermostat needs replaced again, which is going to cost me $600.00.
I have battled with this heater for over a year and they cannot figure out what is wrong with it.
The speedometer, dash lights, and radio have all completely stopped working a couple of times while driving down the road.
The car continues to spark knock unless you put premium gas in it.
The gas mileage it not very good at all.
Overall, the car has not broke down on me yet.
Hey.
I too am COLD.. I have the same vehicle you do, and aside from the fact that the heater does not work, I love it!!
I have had the car in the shop 5 time for the heater.. after close to $1,300.. STILL NO HEAT.
I really don't know what to do. Fortunately I live in Texas, so the cold is not an ongoing problem, but on those 35 degree days it sure would be nice to be able to defrost the windows with warm air, instead of adding to the cold!!
Also.. I need to replace the center console, it's a total mess.. Anyone know where I can puchase one?
Yvonne.
I also have a '99 Taurus. I also have no heat, but I live in Canada Eh! I had the heater core checked, they said it was fine. After reading the first two comments, maybe I will just dress warm. My wipers turn on when ever they want and I had to replace the rack because of a leaking seal.
I have owned this car for one year and put 55000 km. on it.
It's a good car! Not perfect, but good.
Same story as the three previous comments. NO HEAT in my 99' Taurus! It is very much a problem, as a live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and do quite a bit of traveling. Otherwise, I have 140K on it and no major problems.
I have a 99 Taurus SE with no heat also. I changed the heater core, the thermostat and had the radiator flushed. Still no heat. Someone told me last week it was the hot/cold switch in the instrument panel. I will try to take off the panel and replace it myself since no one wants to. The interior lights stay on most of the time unless I manually turn them off. The door ajar stays on most of the time. Someone told me this week to try an spray the door hinges with WD40 and that would stop this problem. Brake rotors have to be changed every year or steering wheel shimmies when you stop. And like other Taurus owners, the windshield wipers come on by themselves. Newest thing is some kind of ticking noise in the engine that no one knows what it could be. I thought it was the fan belt, but I changed that and the pulley and I still get the ticking. So far it has only had to be towed once in 2 years. My vehicle was purchased at 63,000 miles and I have put 60,000 miles on it.
Same story here. 1999 Taurus. $450.00 repair bill to fix leaky coolant and flush entire system, including header core and I STILL HAVE NO HEAT!
Dang, I must be lucky. I have owned the car since 2000 and it had 20,000 miles and now has 140,000. I have had no problems except with the front brake rotors; they warp easily and the reason is that the manufactures didn't construct the rotors very well. If anyone needs assistance I know a good mechanic that doesn't work on commission and works for Ford and doesn't charge an arm and a leg.
I just bought a 1999 Ford Taurus LX with 63,000 miles on it. So far I have been having problems since day 5! First it was some timing sensor... got that fixed. Then I broke down on a major highway! No power, no nothing! My alternator was shot! Then it started to leak water, but not overheating... but no heat! Luckily I have mechanics in the family and don't have to pay a whole lot... if you don't have heat, check the coolant reservoir!! The part is about 40 bucks, and should only cost about 80 bucks to put on. Don't believe the ones who say "heater core" problems... I was fed that line too! Now I seem to be running well... for now.
$500 for a thermostat?? What a ripoff!
The thermostat itself should not cost more than $6.
Very easy to install too.
I had to replace the heater core last year. The bill from my mechanic was only $180.
I'd find an honest mechanic if I were you...
These cars, and other V6 front-wheel-drive cars are only slightly more economical on gas than a proper V8 car such as the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis or the Lincoln Town Car.
They are also far more reliable and easier to maintain.
The above poster is spot-on.
Only problem I ever had with my Grand Marquis was that it ran cold, so I fitted a new thermostat myself in about 10 minutes for a cost of under $10-00. I'm so glad I know enough about cars to not get ripped off by thieving "mechanics".
Huh, I suppose a V-12 is even more "proper". Face it, the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car are nothing more than outdated relics.
I have a 99 Taurus. The heater wasn't working so I took it to a mechanic. He told me I had a blown head gasket.
He replaced the head gasket, water pump and thermostat. I still have no heat. I am losing coolant, but I cannot tell where. I've taken it back to my mechanic 3 times, but he cannot find the problem. He even put dye in the radiator. He put a new radiator cap on.I'm at wits end. I freeze driving back and forth to work.
99 Ford Taurus... JUNK THEM ALL!
I am also freezing every single day in my 99 Taurus! Have only had it for a year and a half and have had it in to the shop 4 times to have the heat fixed! First time it was a rotten hose, next it was the thermostat, then my coolant needed to be flushed and who knows what I'll find out today when I pick it up...
Anyone want to buy a 99 Taurus...cheap? Never again will I own one of these cars!
I have a 99 Taurus with 70,000 miles. My heater problem was fixed by a "secret" recall kit. The kit consisted of replacing the steel tube between the heater core and the radiator, replacing the water pump, thermostat, and flushing the system. It seems Ford knows about this "problem". The steel line reacts with the aluminum heater core and corrodes the fins on the water pump which disintegrates and turns the antifreeze into jello. So far so good. The repair was about $500. at Pep Boys in Michigan.
I have a 1999 Ford Taurus 4 door. When I turned on the heat all that blew out was cold air. My mechanic changed the plugs and wires. That did not solve the problem. Then he changed the thermostat and that did not solve the problem. He then told me he would have change the heater core. That is big bucks. So I brought it to a new mechanic. He checked under the hood and felt some hoses. He told me it was the water pump. So he replaced it. I have heat and it is great. I think I have found a qualified mechanic. I never go to the Ford Dealer to repair my car after a very bad experience with a car lasting a year.