Transmission has been replaced 2 times.
Thermostat would not work right and would make the car overheat very quickly; was replaced.
When the outside temperature is over 85 degrees, and the air conditioner is on, the car runs extremely close to the overheating line on the temperature gauge.
Engine currently burns about a quart of oil every 1,500 miles.
After about 20 minutes of use with the climate control on, the air smells like burning oil at random times.
Exhaust system was replaced.
Radiator hoses were replaced.
Rear speakers went out, and were replaced.
Weatherstripping on passenger door was replaced.
Cup-holders will not stay open without a drink inside of it.
Recently, I have noticed a loss of power, compared to a year ago, along with a huge dip in gas mileage. Right now, I get about 16 MPG city, and only about 22 MPG highway.
I really like this car. It drives nice, has a lot of initial power, passing power, and it handles nicely. The air conditioning starts working soon after the vehicle is started, and the JBL audio system is outstanding.
Honestly, for an older American car with 160,000 miles on it, I am perfectly satisfied with this car.
There have been problems with the transmission, but I have come to the conclusion that the majority of its' problems were due to how I drive the car, instead of the manufactures lack on engineering.
There have also a lot of things replaced, but once again, most cars that have 160,000 or more miles on it will have the same things replaced, and they will have the same problems as mine does.
The loss of power and the dip in fuel mileage is probably due to it's old age, and is a sign that this car will be "on it's last legs," soon.
Wow, the first thing that comes to mind is I thought you were being sarcastic when you started saying how you were satisfied with the car, especially after a "things-gone-wrong" list that is one of the longest I've seen in here.
The majority of your problems are typical ford car problems. I would have to say, and I don't say this to offend, but if the majority of customers have the same standards as you, I don't see how Ford will ever make a car that hang with the japanese. I mean, "transmission replaced twice" and then: "...I am perfectly satisfied..."?!
As for the last comment ""transmission replaced twice" and then: "...I am perfectly satisfied..."?!" Honda is a saint with Transmissions, specially in the Accord and Oddessy.
People overlook the waterpump on the 1996-1999 Duratec DOHC V6 engines. It is supposed to be replaced every 90,000 Miles. The water pump is belt driven and is separate from the engine, a real smart design making it quite easy to and cheap replace! This is great considering a lot of makes reccomends water pump replacement around this mileage as well, however most of them are timing belt driven and require a great amount of labor to replace. Kudo's to Ford for the excellent water pump design on the Duratec engines.
As for the "burning oil" issue, your oil is probably leaking from the oil pan, it then drips onto the catalytic converter. Thus you get a oil burning smell, and loss of oil. Cost of the gasket is around $30 US, and count an hour and half for labor. Not a bad repair.
The radiator hoses on any car with 160,000 miles should be replaced, even as preventative maintenence.
The cup holder design on the 1996-some 1997 Taurus's was pathetic. It's a cool touch in touch out design, but it will not hold a drink for squat. Search ebay or your local salvage yard for a 98-99 cup holder. Much better design (in fact one of my favorites)
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