1999 Ford Taurus SE from North America - Comments

From its inception the Taurus got poor fuel economy. We regularly recorded 22MPG declining in cooler climate to 18-19MPG. The dealer explained this as posted economy is an "average". However, we explained our 1990 Taurus Wagon and then 2000 Taurus Wagon both greatly out performed the sedan (all with 3.0). No resolution after they have tested it a couple of times.

The rubber oil pan gasket blew out at

84,000 miles. I self-installed a replacement, but oil still dripped onto the exhaust pipe. The dealer informed me Ford had redesigned a rigid gasket. I had them install this new one at 85,000 miles. Cost: $50 replacement gasket + $380 Ford's replacement of new gasket + oil and frustration.

No heat in drivers compartment at 84,000 (not a good period for our Taurus). I noticed the coolant is brown with rust deposits in overflow tank. I thought the problem was related to above. I drained and replaced coolant, cleaned overflow tank and changed the thermostat. No heating improvement. Research indicated a possible actuator door malfunction, but it was operating OK. I suspected the heater core so flushed it with water until it ran clear. It restored heat for only a couple of weeks. Returned it to the Ford dealer to flush system which resolved the problem for 5 weeks. Discussion and research revealed 1996-98 Fords had a flushing service for this problem, but the program ended. Essentially, I can continue to flush rust flakes out of the system while the heater core oxidizes at $45 per service or replace the heater core for $900. Additionally, I'm told the water pump impellers are going too.

The sedan has been reliable up to this point, but researching these items leads me to believe there are more heart aches down the road. We are crossing our fingers this does not reoccur with our 2000 Taurus Wagon which we are very please with.

We love the Taurus Wagons, but rue the day we traded the high mileage Camry for the new Taurus SE. We should have known when the dealer even asked why.

I too have a 1999 Ford Taurus.

I have problems with my heater. I replaced the thermostat, flushed the coolant, and flushed heater core with coca-cola and water until it ran clear. Still little to no heat.

My door ajar light comes on and my lights stay on even if my doors are all closed.

I am also finding that I get 17-19 miles to a gallon.

I have had this Taurus for 3 years now and ever since I have had more and more problems. I recommend to not get a Taurus.

I just purchased a 1999 Ford Taurus SE Wagon... love the car and the room inside is great. It had 61,000 miles and the exterior and interior look new... leather seats and the a/c works great.

Problem... I am getting between 14 to 15 miles per gallon!

I traded my Ford Escort Wagon..1997.. for this car. This car was good on gas... 4 cylinder compared to 6 on the taurus.

After reading all of the complaints I am hoping I did not make a huge mistake and am heading for a lot of repairs and expense. My gas gauge is off as well and it gets a bit scary not knowing how much gas is left in the car.

I bought a 1999 Ford Taurus SE in August 2003 with 43000 miles on it. I purchased the extended warranty, 3 year/36K for about $1000 and thought I had gotten a pretty good deal. The warranty expired and nothing had gone wrong with it. Then an oxygen sensor went out (it has 4) Cost-$150. The car now has 91K miles on it and needs a new outer tie rod end on front left, and a new front left bearing. I am also experiencing these heating problems. Flushed the coolant and the heat worked for a few weeks, but no longer works. Also, this model year is notorious for bombing out transmissions, so that's something to look forward to.

I purchased my 1999 Ford Taurus in May 2006 from an individual at a fairly cheap price. The looks of the car was excellent. It did have high mileage (approx. 96,000 miles). I test drove the car and was impressed by the smooth ride and passing power. A/C worked great, but I never thought to try the HEAT being that it was summer. Man did I learn a valuable lesson. Come winter, not a bit of heat. I researched the web and found multiple comments on this heating problem. I checked the actuator door which was functioning properly. The blower motor was fine. Then, a few days later, the car begins to overheat. The water was rusty. I did as others had done and I to flushed the ENTIRE coolant system. I replaced the thermostat and, WOW, I had heat. However... just like everyone else, it only lasted a week or two. I checked the water and it was just as rusty as before. I was told by a Ford serviceman that I would have to replace the heater core, water pump, possibly a few hoses, and probably the thermostat again. WOW... It was going to cost me almost as much to repair the car than what I paid for it. The guy that sold it to me knew when to get out from under it while the getting was good. I can't blame him and I accept full responsibility for my lack of research before making this purchase. Now, to add insult to injury, before I could get around to the costly repairs, my wife drove the car one day and wasn't watching the temp gauge. I assume it now has blown head gasket. I have always been a Ford man, but I to am re-thinking where my loyalties lie.

Hi! I too have a 1999 Ford Taurus. I purchased it in 2003 with 39,000 miles on it. Thinking I got a good deal, but have now discovered after a few years of use, it just turned over to 80,000 miles and my problems are here. I had no heat last winter, I had it flushed in the summer, just recently had the heater core changed out, 2 days later I had to replace the 4th cylinder spring it had completely broken, I have also been told that the struts are bad. And I think something is wrong with the transmission, it appears to slip, my husband rarely drives it and doesn't think so, but I know it is coming. This car has oil changed every 3,000 miles and as you can tell not driven hard, I am in my 50's and would not recommend a Ford, my first and my last. If a car starts having this many problems with 80,000 miles it needs to be changed. Looking at getting rid of this car, and going Honda.

I have a 1999 Taurus SE, the power steering is leaking and the heater will not heat up. From what I have read I guess this a command problem. Have not tackled the power steering leak yet, but did replace the thermostat, still no heat. Other than spending a lot of money to fix both, getting rid of it is the next move I guess!!

2000 Taurus Wagon - Owned since 2001. In 2005 heat quit, seemed overnight overflow went brown. Overheated. Changed the thermostat, flushed the system, overheating problem left, still no heat. Now it's 2008, still no heat, not overheating, but no heat. Transmission started slipping in late 2007, intermittently at first, but becoming worse. 90,000 on it now. Gas mileage between 19-22 in winter. I love the way it rides, handles, and has enough power, but it does get a bit cold. Oh yes, 3rd light went for a flight off the car within 6 months of purchase (replaced for free). Car leaks coolant worse that a bladder problem.

My wife has an 2002 Mercury Mountaineer, bought it new. 60k on it. Just after warranty, 3 trips while in warranty, transmission goes out. Funny, dealer said there was no problem each time... until warranty quit. Lights turn on and off, door says ajar, got 17.4 highway. Something (while in warranty) had to be replaced in front end (spindles I think). Back glass piston has never stayed attached to the glass. Gorilla Glue holds a lot on interior trim on. Back window will not work. There is probably more.

Always liked Ford, have a 1990 F-150, bought new, 1 alternator, 1 battery, lousy paint, but mechanically perfect, except the 15 mpg. I have a 1970 F-100, dad bought new. 1 fuel pump, 1 alternator and still runs like new. 1949 F-1, OK, it's not original.

In between, 1996 Explorer, transmission went bad after 95k, traded it, yup, for the Mountaineer. Before that, Aerostar, won't even go there on that one. Hopefully it will not even be used as scrap.

Bad as I hate to say it, "Ford, I have a better Ideal", no more Fords. Had a GMC Jimmy in 1987 that I say no more GMs, notice, I kept my word. Oldest daughter drive a VW (no better), next daughter drives a Mitsubishi (probably mispelled), and the youngest will drive...? Won't be a Ford or GM, bet on that.

Exact same problems with the heater core in a 1999 Ford Taurus. This is a problem with this model! Shame on Ford for not recalling - I've changed the heater core last year with no luck through the Ford dealership.

Just last week I had a problem with the antifreeze being brown. Now this week - the exhaust is blowing white smoke.

I've put over $800 in the car in the last year. I've had the car 6 years and the heater core went out in 2006. I had back flush after back flush; each time someone does it they say it looks like "stop leak" or something, but no one has exactly pin pointed the problem. I will try the junk yard for a old engine because I do like the car overall. Ford should have done a recall a long time ago - of course they have lost my business for good!

Update: After having the car towed today, I have found out that I have a "Blown Head Gasket" from the antifreeze going into the engine. WoW! This is exactly what everyone else with the same model is experiencing. The cost for the gasket repair is between $700 to $800 - NO MORE FORDS IN MY HOUSEHOLDS EVER! I'M GOING BACK TO HONDA!

Seems I recall someone reporting its the pipes going to and from the heater core that rust inside.

  I bought a 1999 Taurus cheap 2 years ago. I put a salvage engine it last year after the watter pump impeller rusted off resulting in a overheat for my wife in traffic, eng. lost all compreshion probably frozen rings.  This year she busted a hole in the oil pan and drove it home again. After about 5 months dispite my best efforts the transmission finally gave up and quit shifting. (Burnt valve body). Heater never worked correctly, repeated repairs, and defroster actuator refused to stay together.  We live on an extremly rough road and my wife is extremely hard on vehicles. (good thing I'm a mechanic)   Bottom line I got rid of this one and bought another in a little better condition. These cars a reasonably reliable, fairly priced, easy to repair (mostly) AND PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM ANNY SALVAGE...