2001 Ford Taurus SES from North America - Comments

A/C compressor bearing wearing out. I suspect the factory set shift point of 6000 RPM at full or almost full throttle may have helped kill this compressor. The AC in this car uses the same compressor that all Fords seem to use, and probably was not intended to be spun 6000 RPM very often.

Ford may have taken its hotrod sedan SHO off the market, but this car is pretty close with the 24 valve V-6. There were three engines available this year, with the FFV, Vulcan, and 24V. We specifically looked for a car with the 24V engine. The car is very comfortable with the dealer installed leather seats, has a good CD stereo, impeccable brakes, and sure-footed handling for a sedan type car. What is most impressive is the performance of the V-6 engine. It is a "dual-cammer" that likes to run between 3000-6000 rpm. While its no race car, the Taurus has no problem reaching its governed speed of 110 m.p.h. Acceleration is on par with many large V-8 powered cars of the 1960's. (I know, I owned many of them.) Whats most interesting is how quiet and smooth the engine is at all speeds. I highly recommend seeking the 24V engine if looking for a Taurus. The overdrive auto. trans works flawlessly. I am not a Ford only fanatic, but its difficult to find fault with this car, especially for the price. I think I would have to pay a LOT more for some "Euro car" to match this performance and comfort level. Congrats Ford!

THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD REVIEW.. I JUST BOUGHT ONE. IT IS NOW 2005 OF COURSE, but ALL I WANTED WAS AT LEAST ONE GOOD ONE.. SO FAR IN WEEK ONE THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE NOTICED IS THE VIBRATION AT UPPER SPEEDS AND BRAKES KINDA SHAKY.. THANK YOU.

I just purchased a 2000 Ford Taurus SES when my 96 Ford Contour died on me last week. I love the car and could not find anything better for the price I paid with low mileage, and a great look. My only complaint so far is that the car vibrates and shakes on certain roads and at high speeds. Not too bad, but still very annoying. I had the same problem with my Contour and spent hundreds of dollars trying to correct the problem with brake jobs, replacing rotors, new tires, alignments, etc. Nothing worked. I thought for sure that problem would have been corrected in the newer models, but I guess I was wrong. Has anyone discovered a way to correct the shaking that actually works? I don't want to spend hundreds on this car too and still have the same problem. Please Help!

I have a 2001 ford taurus ses and I also have the same problem with my car, I took it to the dealership and they looked at it and told me I had a bent wheel. They said the way the wheels are constructed and heavy weight on the front end when hitting big pot holes can bend it, causing vibration in the front end. I hope I have been of some help.

I have a 2002 Taurus SE. I also have the same problem with the vibration in front-end. After being too many web sites and reading endless postings on vibration problems, I have decided that the problem is unfixable. However, like everyone else, I took my car to a Ford dealer for a diagnostic. I was told my rotors are warped tire out of balance. Just like many who have complained and visited a dearlership, I was told the same thing. I am having the rotors replaced, new tires. Which after reading several postings on this problem, I don't believe it will correct the vibration. If I want to waste money, the next step will to have the bushings, tierod ends and sway bar replaced. Again, postings have stated this does not help either. In other words, if the rotors and tires being replaced does not correct the problem, I will call the dealership and complain about being ripped off on the diagnotic charge... and expect the dealership to appologize and offer to charge me for more replacement parts. In other words, cut my losses and get rid of the car.

I have a 2001 Taurus SES that we purchased new. It now has 95k on it. Overall it has been a good car, but at 23k miles it developed this same vibration problem. The dealer replaced the CV axles on both sides (thankfully under warranty, otherwise an $850 job!), and later a rotor, but it didn't really help. They even gave us a half-price deal on NEW Michelin tires and even that didn't help!

Two years later, my wife hit a big rock on the road and bent the left front wheel. After replacing THAT wheel and replacing the tires which had worn out by then...miraculously, the vibration improved by 90%.

So it's a weird deal for sure... but I agree with the previous poster who recommended to start with the wheels first instead of tie rods, rotors and such.

Buena Suerte, (good luck)...

S.

I have a 2001 Taurus SES with the 24V engine. It now has nearly 99,000 miles on it. All in all, for an American car, it has been very good to me thus far.

I drive it a lot, 20K + miles per year.

I am replacing the rotors as they are warped and causing the steering to shake between 50 and 60mph.

The power steering pump was replaced under warranty a few years ago.

I am not experiencing the vibration problems other posters here have been, other than what the warped rotors are causing.

The rear bearings had to be replaced at about 75K (right after the warranty expired of course), they were making noise. That was $350.00.

The only other problems have been the door locks on the rear doors are now only working intermittently. It seems on a hot day, they won't unlock for some reason now. So, they will need to be replaced. $33.00 each on eBay.

Also, I had to replace the entire thermostat housing unit a few months ago because a small plastic fitting cracked and caused a coolant leak, and the only way to fix it was to replace the entire $180.00 thermostat unit. I did the labor myself. No other problems yet.

I am about to replace the spark plugs and the two serpentine belts at 100K.

Also, as stated by other posters, this car moves pretty good for it's size. The 24V Duratec engine runs smooth and has good power. I have a K&N filter on mine.