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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008
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Comments
I've heard that the OEM rotors are junk and you should replace with new rotors and not have them machined. Did you get new front rotors?
The reasoN I did the front was that the thinner the pads get the more chance for heat build up and the end result would be warped rotors.
1) Re-glue rain gutter strips - 2500 miles
2) Re-glue trunk gasket - 3200 miles
3) Replace broken front strut - 8000 miles
4) Replace fan blower motor - 8700 miles
5) Have rotors machined - 13,000 miles
6) Replace fan blower motor - 15,000 miles
7) Replace rotors - 16,200 miles
8) Replace fan blower motor - 22,000 miles
Its going in next week for another blower motor believe it or not. This is Ford quality ? I bought this car new off the showroom floor!!!
Ebay tip if you need keys - there are auctions for "Taurus Transponder key", "Windstar....", Expedition...", etc. They are all the same key, but some will go for $12, some for $25 - wait until the auction is almost over before bidding, then bid on one that has not yet been bid on. That way, your price will not get pushed up by uneducated buyers.
My Taurus has 85,000 miles on it. It was a fleet car, evedently either not well maintained, or not well manufactured. Sorry about the long time for the reply. I've been really busy dealing with the dealership again. A week and a half ago, I began to notice that my car was leaking red fluid. Northgate Lincoln Mercury in Cincinnati told me "I drove over something red." Last Thursday, I got home, and had a huge puddle under my car. Called and got the car towed. Turned out that red fluid that "I drove over" was my own transmission fluid coming from a broken transmission seal.
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm really having a hard time deciding who I hate more... Ford for building my lemon, or the incompetant dealerships for improperly fixing my car everytime something breaks.
To end this post on a good note, even though it is not very reliable, at least it is a pretty car. )
Noticed that my door or window wasn't rattling Saturday with someone in the front passenger seat. Seem weird. The dropping the window a little does work.
I looked around the door and I didn't see any screws to remove the door panel.
Man you seem to be having one problem after another. But driving over something red. That is unbelievable.
Luckily for Ford, I think I am an exception and not the general case for Taurus owners. So perspective Taurus buyers, don't avoid them just because of what I've typed, but used Taurus buyers might want to just check a few of the things they've seen listed here. I think I've also learned from this experience that a fleet car is not necessarily a good thing.
Here are my problems. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
1) The brakes sometimes, although not very often, make a grinding noise just before coming to a complete stop. You could feel the grinding too. It started to make the noise when Southern California was hit with the recent rain storms. But the grinding noise also occured during one traffic jam, in dry weather, where I had to constantly use the brakes. The brake pedal also clicks when the pedal is depressed all the way. The selling dealer put new linings on, before selling it to me.
2) The transmission is smooth except when going into third gear. The car shudders or shakes a bit when shifting into third. The shaking is subtle, and not very obvious until you drive the car for an extended period of time. A complete tranny flush with Mercon V did not solve the problem.
Thanks for any inputs.
Wil : That sounds like you need new brake pads. Usaually that noise means you're down to steel on steel, meaning the material in the pads are so worn down the rivets are contactin the rotors. I don't want to be the bearor of bad news but you might need rotors too.
Michael
Anyone else having similar problems?
I have experienced two similar problems that have been posted by others;(1)occasional "funny" smell from ventilation system. Seems more like stale air/water. Dealer was unable to find a problem.
(2) Transmission or fuel issue (?) Between 25-40 mph (1500-1700 rpm) the car seems to modulate or pulse. It's minor but somewhat annoying. Dealer again was unable to find any problem. However they claimed to have adjusted for my tires/wheels.
The Repair Order never shows any of the factor recalls they have applied. Is that standard for a dealership? Local dealership has just merged with another Lincoln/Mercury dealership - now it's an "Auto group". Waiting to see if things improve or get worse. Any one else experiencing similar problems?
loaded Dodge Intrepid. I drive ALOT!!! Any help would be appreciated. Also...what is the overall quality and repair history of these vehicles..in other words...which one is going to give me grief....thanks!!
Dave
It makes no diference when the tires are rotated so I feel it is the car and not the tires.
This is a co. car which my employer deletes the ABS from the factory build and then allows us to pay for it as an option. Nice co. huh?
The car also makes a clunk nice when making a left turn and feels like the wheel is loose. I had this checked too and all check out fine.
DO NOT get the std engine unless you like to drive slow and not pass anyone. It is way underpowered.
Anyone else have a complaint/ solution to the vibrations?
I sometimes forget if I already have the system off and the windows open and sure enough, when I get into the car in the morning and start the heat up, that smell comes out. I then realize that I should have put one or the other "ON" and then turned the engine "OFF".
Hope this works. I've had no trouble otherwise.
We've got a 2000 Sable LS Premium and my 99 Taurus SE. The ride difference is like night and day. I know the cars are built on the same platform, share the same engines and transmissions, but it seems like there is so much more attention to detail in the Merc. Also, wider tires,leather seats, moonroof, super sound system, heated mirrors, ect., ect. I don't think you can go wrong!.
Regarding my other problem .... (post 673) the transmission pulse or modulation issue. My service light came on and the dealer replaced an engine sensor and the transmission problem seems to have disappeared. Car is running well again (knock on wood).
My Taurus not only has had alot of problems out of the suspension, and alignments. But it also has recently had problems with the tranny slipping. But them door sensors get replaced every time I take it in the dealer for repair.
I have problems with the alignments either not taking, or going out of alignment to often, and most of the time its out of alignment real BAD.
I have replace 2 complete sets of tires for this car, the 1st set had even wear straight accross (but I know what caused that) it was my suspension that was in bad shape.
But this last set is wearing on the outer sides of the tire, and my alignments are constantly out real bad.
seau90@hotmail.com
Sometimes you have to take it out of the hands of the dealer, and go directly to FORD themselfs. Unforunately there aren't to many good dealers out there, but I know I found a bad one in Oklahoma.
My situation I took it directly out of the hands of the Bad Dealer and when to FORD on my problem. As it turned out, either this bad dealers mechanics was un experienced or it was simply intentional. My case in OKlahoma left me where there was no Lemmon law to protect us consumers from dealers like the one I encountered.
When taking my car to another dealer just for the rack n pinnion, stablizer links, struts, motor mounts, oil pan gasket (this was a 2 week repair job), I had found out that the 1st dealer that had been making attempts at repairing my car, left my car is awful shape. Most of them parts was either lose, or gonna fall off.
I had to go one step ahead of the 1st dealer and contact Ford Motor Co, the 1st dealer evently got to where they refused to look at the suspenion in my car. Once I contacted FORD, and started a dispute settlement on my taurus, Ford had paid for the taurus to be sent to another dealer, where my experience changed from BAD to GOOD. Ford Motor Co and this Billingsy Ford of Lawton, Oklahoma treated us like we was Kings.
But we learned our lesson about this BAD dealer in Altus, Oklahoma. Unforunately the state of Oklahoma has no Lemmon law that protects consumers from BAD DEALERS.
My suspension was repaired, and any other problems that came about the Taurus went right back to Billingsley of Lawton. There is GOOD ONES out there, and there are BAD ONES. But unforunately there are no warnings on these BAD ONES prior to encountering them, I think there should be a board for consumer protection against Dealer that are BAD< or FORD needs to take action against them. 9 times out of 10 its the DEALER not the FORD product.
I got a free ISP up to 5 years from my encounter on this BAD DEALER, and untill these BAD DEALERS NAMES are kept silent, it happens over and over again.
Where was Oklahoma law protection for me as a consumer. This Bad dealer mechanics was either not experienced, or experienced enough, or it was simply intentional with the findings that Billingsley Ford found.
Ford Motor Co does HELP, just give them a chance. They helped me, and I am thankful for them> They are the greatest.
Just received a safety recall notice (01S08) today in the mail from Mercury. It deals with both 2000 & 2001 Sables and Taurus's that have the power adjustable pedals.
"Grease used on the adjustable pedal assembly may enter the brake lamp switch and contaminate the contacts. This may cause one or more of the following symptoms to occur:
-Brake lights stay illuminated or are inoperative.
-Shift Interlock disabled (will be able to shift out of "Park" position without depressing the brakes.
-Speed Control will not activate.
-Cannot shift the vehicle out of "Park."
-ABS Warning light illuminates on vehicles with ABS
-Battery Discharged."
The recall stated to call the dealer for an appointment without delay. I called ahead and the parts department did not have the parts in stock, as they had not yet received notification from Ford. The Parts Manager stated that he should have parts within 3-4 business days.
Thought all you 2000 & 2001 Sable & Taurus owners with adjustable pedals should know about this safety recall.
Bob
While I was there, I told them that I had just gotten a recall notice. They were way ahead of me - they already had it written on my ticket. What is needed is a new light switch which is located under the dash right above and behind the brake pedal. The letter stated that it will take at least a half a day to fix, but the mechanic did it in 15 minutes - I timed him and watched the whole operation.
I only drive my Taurus 6 miles a day so I don't get to enjoy it as much as I would like. To the individual who suggested that someone buy a Sable because of a lot of extras - I, too, looked at the Sable first and was not impressed by the rear end. As I looked closer I noticed that the trunk didn't have a very large opening. Went up to the Ford dealer and noticed that the Taurus trunk was not only wider, but larger. Checked the brochures and compared them and sure enough, the Taurus is bigger by one cubic foot!! That made the difference for me. Also, I got the top-of-the-line SEL which came with everything but a CD player which I didn't want. I think the car is quiet enough for me. Plus, I got a good loan and $1000 off!! Not bad.
Concerning trunk space, when my lease is up, I will definitely look at the Taurus. One of the few weak points that I've noticed with my 2000 Sable LS Premium, has been the fairly small trunk opening. I was a bit embarrassed the other day as a box I was attempting to load into the Sable's trunk, would not fit. However, it did fit into the trunk of my wife's 2000 Honda Civic! My wife had a very smug look on her face as her smaller car was able to accomodate the box my larger Sable would not! With that said, I think that this is the best overall vehicle I've personally owned.
for my Merc Sable and the following day I went
to a Ford svce dept a few blocks from my job.
They had no idea about the recall but were
interested in giving me an appt. for schedule
maintenance. Re: the recall, I was asked to call
in two weeks, and later upon my insistence the
idiot svce advisor suggested that I call in a
week. I left pissed off, and next day Saturday I
called Ford in Detroit. The customer svce rep contacted every Ford
and Mercury Dealer in New York City and beyond and was able to find one that knew about the recall. The owner of this
dealership told the rep that I could bring my
car in on Monday.
I am pleased about the help given to me by Ford Central. But for the life of me I can't understand how The factory sends a recall notice to customers before informing many dealers about the recall.
Dealers are informed online whereas owners are informed via snail
mail.
This is something the rep couldn't answer and I didn't pursue.
We've had ours now for 6 months and it's great. It's also a very good looking car I might add. I've also received the recall notice, but my dealer is cool. He said just drop it off on Friday afternoon and you can pick it up Saturday.
Good Luck!!
A major concern I have is the cooling system. I live in a very hot climate and the car I have now tends to overheat easily. What kind of temps do people get in stop and go traffic in the Southeast or Southwest.
Any input would be helpful. The Taurus I plan to buy is the 2001 LX.
I know it sounds crazy but the Merc seems a much better car. Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Bob
Also, The book says 5.5 qts? I bought this car used and checked the records and every oil change the receipt says 4.5 or 5?
If you do pick the Taurus over the Impala, I'd recommend based on my experiences with my Taurus that you also buy an extended warranty. You might not need it, but my '97 Taurus required $3700 worth of work in the last ten months I've had it. Who knows how much before I bought it. I don't know much about the Impala or Chevy's reliability, but I do know that when Ford makes a Lemon, they REALLY MAKE A LEMON!