I blew the transmission at 100,000 miles with most of it highway. My brother-in-law blew his '04 SES transmission with 72,000 miles the week before. The mechanic told me the transmissions that are on these cars are very poor. He had two more waiting to have transmissions put in. There was also a waiting list for parts. Consumer Reports graded it as an excellent used car; I do not know why.
I like the car; it rides nicely and quietly. With the transmission problems however, I would not recommend it.
Funny how my '01 Taurus has 125k miles on it with the original transmission? And my '04 Taurus has 72k with the original transmission as well. I am guessing you and your brother drive your cars rather "spirited?" Or you don't follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance for the vehicle, whatever the case may be it seems rather odd that your transmissions went out so prematurely while mine and others I know who regularly maintain theirs are still in good shape.
I must agree with the above comment, the transmissions in the Taurus may not be the best but it is extremely strange that they would blow so early in the life of the car. My 2004 Taurus has 132,000km and the transmission shifts nice and smooth. It also has quick response for forced downshifts when passing...
Attention to all! Don't let your car rock back and forth when you park (use the parking brake that's what it's for) it will destroy the transmission. Parking on an incline with hurt it also. I have an 01 Taurus I bought brand new and it has 146000 miles on it and it still shifts like brand new. I also found that when coming to a stop, allow this particular transmission to shift itself instead of forcing it by slamming the accelerator. You still have to drive this car pretty hard (this little V6 loves to be aired out) just allow the car to fully downshift when comming to semi-stops. Feel the car... BE the car.
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