2000 Ford Taurus SE from North America - Comments

The engine knocks in warm weather using 87 octane fuel. The car has been back to various Ford dealers five times for this problem, but it just won't completely go away. Ford replaced the mass airflow sensor once, cleaned the sensor another time, reprogrammed the computer three times, changed the fuel filter, decarboned the combustion chambers, and changed the engine coolant. Though the spark knock hasn't completely gone away, the car performs MUCH better now than it was new, even if I do have to use midgrade fuel. The car also gets better fuel economy using midgrade fuel, so it's not a significant additional expense.

The original Continental tires caused a vibration in the steering--after several balancing attempts, I gave up and replaced them with some Goodyear tires from Wal-Mart.

The brake rotors warped and were replaced under warranty at about 30,000 miles.

The front stabilizer bar bushings failed at 40,000 miles.

Except for the engine troubles I've experienced, I've found that the 2000 Taurus is a nifty, well-thought-out vehicle. The dashboard, controls, and gauges are especially well-designed.

The power driver's seat with lumbar support is comfortable.

The standard stereo does a fine job with jazz and classical music, and also has an excellent AM tuner--the best I've ever experienced in an automobile.

The cruise control with +/- 1 MPH set/coast is very convenient and accurate.

The trunk is generously sized and usefully shaped.

The Taurus gets better fuel economy than the much smaller, automatic-equipped Aspire I traded in for it.

The only complaint I have, other than the engine maladies, is that the upholstery material seems too fragile for a family car. I've hauled some cardboard boxes for a short distance on the rear seat and the edges of the boxes left permanent mars in the upholstery.

A prospective Taurus buyer can avoid the spark-knock issues that I and other Taurus owners have faced by getting a car equipped with the uplevel DOHC engine instead of the standard engine. I haven't heard of any problems with the DOHC engine. If you plan on towing with your Taurus, the DOHC engine gives you 500 more pounds of towing capacity--1750 versus a measly 1250 for the standard engine.

My 2000 Taurus has the DOHC 24 valve engine and still has some of the same problems you described! I have had it in the shop numerous times this winter for a whistling sound that no one can figure out what it is. I had engine, rear axle and transmission seal leaks at 33,000mi. The engine blew at 51,000mi! Now, at 62,000mi it started getting only 18-20mpg. I was up until this time, getting 26-28mpg.

I'm now going to have the transmission fluids changed and a new fuel filter put in. Hopefully that helps. Anyone know what the whistling could be? It sounds like it is sucking air... but the EWSD computer at Ford showed no problems.

I own a 2000 Ford Taurus, and currently it has 63,500 miles on it. The only things that have been replaced are the tires, and the brake pads and rotors. Other than that the car has been fine. I don't use premium gas, I use the regular 87 octane... sure it rattles alittle, but only until it warms up. I can't see myself paying a $1.70 or more per gallon just to fix a problem that I have actually heard won't ever go away.

2000 Taurus SE FFV.

In September 2002, with 59,300 miles, the vehicle in this review was returned to the dealer where it was purchased from and traded in on a new 2002 Ford Ranger 4x2 XLT SuperCab. The dealership manager, aware of the disappointing experience I had with my Taurus, worked very hard to find the exact Ranger I wanted and then put together an absolutely fantastic deal.

I am absolutely delighted with the Ranger, which has given me absolutely no troubles in the 16,000 miles I have put on it so far. In terms of overall quality, it's light years ahead of the Taurus I owned.

I own a 2000 Ford Taurus and it has given me many problems from brakes to changing the wheel bearings. So for it has been running good I had the tires changed and I still get a light vibration in the steering. I wanted to see if any body has the same problem with there 2000 Taurus?

I own a 2001 taurus and after 14 trips total for numerous problems, the car is the same.

Let's start here:

(10) trips to dealer for wheel vibration

tires were replaced and that did not solve problem.

2 rims were replaced that did not solve problem.

Tires were rebalanced over and over again, and guess what?

That did not work.

While braking on highway, car shakes violently. 2 trips for that problem, dealer turned rotors twice and it worked, but guess what? the problem is back stronger than ever.

So you have to asked yourself, how many times are they (ford dealers) going to turn the rotors? so when it's time for my very first brake job, I will have to buy new rotors because you can only turn them so many times.

Another problem is the smell of antifreeze in and outside the car, mostly in the winter months, dealer could not duplicate problem. other problems are:

<they replaced both sway bars>

< one engine sensor was replaced>

If they could just fix the vibration I would be somewhat satisfied.

I own a 2000 Taurus and in the first month I was very disappointed. On 2 occasions the front axle came apart leaving me dead in the water. After towing it to the dealer both times I was told that the problem was wrong parts used by the factory the first time. The second time was mechanical error by the dealer's mechanic. After this problem was cleared up the only other parts replace have tires, brakes and rotors.

I recently purchased a used 2000 Ford Taurus and immediately fell in love with the way it handled and the quiet interior on the highway. However when cold weather came I discovered the heater was not putting out much heat even though the temperature gage was halfway between hot and cold and my gas mileage was running about 14 mpg. Replacing the thermostat didn't solve the problem so I took it to a repair shop and they replaced the thermostat again with a Ford brand thermostat and back flushed the heater core. It still feels like you are running the air conditioner instead of the heater. The repair shop said they had been getting a lot of 2000 Ford Taurus cars in with a combustion problem where air leaks around the piston causing poor heat and poor gas mileage. He did not detect any carbon dioxide in the radiator, but I still do not have heat. Anyone else have this problem? Perhaps that is the whistling noise I've heard others complain of?

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus SES, and it has seen it share of problems. Like most, I have also experienced the shaking of the steering wheel when applying the brakes. I am a ASE certified mechanic, but since under warranty I took the car to the ford dealership for repairs and they replaced the rotors and the brake pads. Much to my dismay, the steering wheel still shook while braking. I returned the vehicle to the service department where I was informed that they would re-examine the problem. They turned the rotors and still the problem existed. Displeased with the dealer, I went down to the local O'Reilly Auto Parts and purchased new Lifetime parts for my taurus and changed them out myself. The parts were easy to change and upon completion of the job the problem was fixed. The only other problem I have seen was replacement of the cv shafts at about 50,000 miles for vibration under heavy throttle. This was about 200 dollars for parts and labor. I recommend using 89 octane. My taurus pings and knocks with 87 octane and using the mid-grade fuel corrects this problem. It will be cheaper in the long run to buy the mid-range gas than to have to replace parts destroyed by cheap gas. Avoid the Continental tires that come with Tauruses, for some reason or another vibrate at highway speeds. I purchased 4 Michelin Symmetry tires from discount tire and they are smooth as glass.

Hi:

I'm from Mexico city and I'm the owner of 2000 Mercury Sable. As most of you I have some complaints about the shaking steering wheel when you brake at highway speed.

Has any of you find a solution for this problem?. I'm desperate, I have tried almost everything. My car has only 10,000 miles and my rotors and brake pads have been replaced twice, but this just solves the problem for two or three months and then the steering wheel starts shaking again.

Hello Taurus owner.

I have a 2000 SES (24 DOHC V6, 3.0), it only has 18,000 miles and it is no longer under warranty (3 months over three years). I have a problem today. The engine light is on solid. We took to the dealer, and they did a computerized test, and told us that one of the cylinder has no pressure. They didn't really know where precisely is wrong, but it will cost $2500 to repair. I didn't really quite believe this, given the fact that some dealers don't know what they are talking about. It still drives fine. According to the manual, it could be temporary because the gas tank pressure, and it could mean its engine problem. Anyone has similar problem that can help me with an answer or comment?

Sincerely thank you.

Pete Sanchez.

I'm having the same trouble with the car just stalling out in the middle of driving on the turnpike. I was driving 2 hours when it all of sudden died on me. We were lucky not to be hit. About 30 minutes later it did the same thing. When we had to drive home the next day the same thing happened. We are lucky that we weren't hit. I have it at the dealer's and they can't find anything wrong so far. They are however charging me to look at it. I have the premium extended warranty that I paid a high price for. It may or may not cover this situation. I am holding my breath that they find the problem and it is covered. If not, I will be selling the car. I can't endanger my family with an unsafe vehicle. Has anyone else also had this problem? I contacted the company and they can't do anything for me they say.

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus SEL model and it runs fine. I had a problem once with the engine light staying on. there was 2 problems the EGR valve and the fact that my gas cap was broke. I've had to change the tires more than normal, but then again there used tires, so this time I;m getting new ones!. Um I got hit on the passenger side and it barely left a dent. All in all my car is very reliable and it has 93000 miles already. My ABS and brake light keep coming on simultaneously, does anyone know if this could be because I need brake fluid or because I have a dummy tire for a wheel?.

I got a 2000 taurus, I have had trouble with the brakes, steering, the motor pings, the windshield wiper hoses melted, now the trannie is starting to slip anyone else have problems like this.

I own a 2000 taurus sel. our first ford in the family. it has 46,000 miles on it. except for a couple of recalls, it has been a very good car. awesome mach stero system in it. had rotors turned once to correct vibration problems. getting ready to place new brake pads on front. most likely will use new bendix rotors and bendix semi-metallic pads from advance auto parts. these are supposed to be premium metal quality rotors. good luck to all on their ford taurus's.

I have a 2000 Taurus. It has about 93,000 miles. The engine light has been popping on and off since we purchased the car in February 2001 with only 20 miles. For the past two years the gas gage has not worked properly. I use the odometer to determine when I need gas. Like others, I also experience the vibration problems. My car was also stalling; I had to get my fuel pump replaced to stop this problem. And I have had to get my rotors replaced. Today, when I parked my car, my engine was smoking on the passenger side. I hope this is not my coolant. Does anyone know what is causing this?