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Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

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Comments

  • riswamiriswami Member Posts: 192
    I had the same problem. The dealer replaced the door switch. Very common problem. If you check this board and the repair board for Taurus you'll see it comes up every once in awhile.

    There was another post about oil leaks and getting rid of the car. It could be something minor, like a valve cover gasket or the oil drain plug not being tight.I would say the ssartori's problem is not common. Although it does seem the DURATECs are the engines that fail on this board. I don't recall reading about engine failures with the Vulcan.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    Yesterday I was driving dark street ('02 Sable) and didn't feel shortage of illumination. Though comfort level may be different for different people.

    Low beams are for street driving only . If you are driving country road you have to use high beams.
  • gwizzgwizz Member Posts: 8
    Hello All - I'm now the proud owner of a slightly used loaded 2000 Taurus sedan with the DOHC 24v engine. So far I am very pleased with it- Nice car.

    The dealer did NOT have the owner's manual or security code info. I found an owner's manual .pdf here on the net ( http://www.fleet.ford.com/) and downloaded it, where it mentions the factory security code for the keyless entry option is on the computer module.

    I can't find the computer module in this car! There is a fuse box below the dashon the driver's side, also another under the hood up front , but nothing that looks like it has a 5-digit security code taped to it.

    Can someone tell me where to look for the factory security code on this car?

    Thanks!
  • edmund2460edmund2460 Member Posts: 293
    congrats on getting your way. Be aware that the Windstar in its first model year was one of the biggest lemons on the market. I don't know how many yeara ago that was, but it's good to wait a few model years on any new product, especailly one with that many problems. If you are looking to shell out $30K, in my opinion you should also check out the new Toyota Sienna. I think it's going to take market share away from some other makes, including the Odyssey.
  • ohio7ohio7 Member Posts: 67
    I, too, am the original owner of a 2000 Taurus SEL with just over 17,000 miles. I only drive 6 miles a day. I can't help you find the original code to the door key pad. Mine was on a small card stuck inside the manual. I moved it to the consol. What you can do, though, is read the section of the manual that tells you how to set your own numbers - one that you will remember. I have my own code and the factory-set one. Both can be used; however, the factory-set one can never be changed.

    This feature is one of my favorites on the car. I am notorious for leaving my keys in the ignition. How wonderful to just punch in a code. It can also open the back doors and the trunk.

    Couldn't the dealer point out where the factory code is, or, isn't there a way to use the VIN # to get the matching door code? Seems that there should be some way. I'd ask the former owner, if available, what it was.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    the ignition coil(s) finally gave away in my jetta. i know these cars are not a paradigm of reliability. VW gave me a taurus for a loaner car (there's a ford dealership across the street). it had the base engine.

    my expectations were low and they stay that way. the engine is an absolute dog. the new four bangers from the accord and camry are much better. for those of you who say theses engines get buzzy at illegal highway speeds haven't driven them.

    the interior decor is yucky and cheap looking. this is one area where it really shows how old the design is.

    the window sticker was in the glove compartment and to my astonishment this car is priced higher than an accord lx 4 cyl. the "real" selling price of the taurus is most likely lower though.

    it's no mystery to me why these cars sell at such huge discounts. what is a mystery is ford's new slogan: have you driven a ford lately, you'll be pleasantly surprised (or something like that).
  • pluto5pluto5 Member Posts: 618
    He also has a language problem--I think he means paragon rather than paradigm.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    But thats true, basic Taurus powertrain is ancient compared to Japanese or German 4 cylinder and nothing exciting. Interior details also is not up to Honda, Toyota or VW.

    But again Jetta being small econobox costs the same as middle class Taurus and it is not paragon of quality or sport sedan eigther. And it doesn't worth it. Just yesterday my friend rolled down power window on her Jetta to pay on San mateo toll bridge and it didn't come back. She get frozen while commuting and car was out of warranty. Not being major failure it still was expected and very unpleasant one, so you may think twice before buying VW - do you want your car stall on freeway or you get frozen when power window fails suddenly. Both happen 100% on Jettas and repeatedly.
  • danielj6danielj6 Member Posts: 285
    There is no doubt that there is constructive criticism and plain aggression which is used with the sole purpose to inflict pain and cause anger.

    Why would anybody put put down a brand name that every one owns here. But what is more, what is the motivation and what pleasure does he get out of it? Perhaps is gloating or a boost to his inflated ego.

    This is a Taurus/Sable thread. Take your junk yard jetta and get out of here! Get help and take a hike as far as your jetta can take you, when it gets out of the shop.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    econobox. in terms of size, yes. but this car has the same quality of materials and assembly workmanship as the passat. its 1.8t is also the same engine used in the passat and it's also available with a 200hp v6. it's a very quiet and solid feeling car.

    my next car will likely be an accord and my comments were pertaining to how the taurus is lacking compared to an accord.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    I agree about Golf/Jetta. It used to set a class standart. There is even such a notion as a Golf-class in Europe denoting all vehicles of this class like Focus, Astra and etc.

    But again Taurus also has solid feeling and quiet and is comfortable, powerful and a much bigger in size. Ford was lagging in engine development keeping engines like Vulcan. I think Vulcan powertrain is one of the reasons why Taurus turn to be rental car darling. It is not sophisticated enough to be desirable for many people. But chassy is pretty good and feels more sophisticated than really is. Steering also seems okay, but again some people like lighter or heavier feeling, more or less sharp. I prefer road feeling of my Sable to overkill smoothness of Camry or harshness of Altima.

    Still talking about Jetta it is better to compare it to Golf-class vehicles. I don't remember that Jetta or Golf won any comparo test lately mainly because of its high price and aging platform. Such an old design cannot cost so high. There are newer (and more reliable) cars in this category that cost much less.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    the taurus is much roomier and a more trouble free car than a jetta. lets keep it at that.
  • danielj6danielj6 Member Posts: 285
    Where is everybody?
    Did you guys sell your Taurus/Sables? :))

    Don't forget that a thread without activity will be closed by the people at Edmunds.com
    Please come back and keep discussing our chosen brands of automobile!
  • ohio7ohio7 Member Posts: 67
    I haven't seen any action here since 18 May. I thought that it was my computer connection. Apparently my government computer won't accept cookies for this site anymore so I thought that I got shut out. Maybe everyone is on a early vacation.
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    Went to a conference in Naples, Florida for 3 days, then added a couple days vacation with my wife. To busy last week to post.

    We rented a Mitsubishi Galant ES 4 cyl. National Car Rental had a lot of them. It was OK, but I prefer having headlight switches on the dash instead of the left stalk, and prefer the wiper switches on the left stalk instead of a stalk on the right. Cruise switch was also a bit funky, and trunk was too small, but since this car is much smaller overall, I suppose I should expect that. Otherwise it had acceptable acceleration--you really had to stomp it and get it revved up to get much out of it.

    On another note, I have begun to detect a slight suspension clunk(ir maybe exhaust system?) on my 2000 Taurus when going over bumps. It seems to be worse when starting out cold and then becomes almost nonexistent after a few miles. I cannot determine if it is coming from the front or rear. Anyone else have anything like this and get it fixed? I am still under warranty until October, so have time to get it fixed, but it might help if there is a common issue that I can direct them to.
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    Is 2003 or 2004 the last year you can buy a new Taurus? Even though Ford will continue to make the Taurus for a few more years, I heard they will stop selling them to consumers sometime soon.
    They will only be sold to fleets (car rental agencies, government agencies, large businesses for company cars etc.).
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    I Had my Taurus into dealer service dept last night. They found and fixed the problem quickly-I was there less than 45 minutes. They replaced the front stabilizer (sway bar) connecting links. Problem is solved and since I was still under warranty, no cost to me. Based on the statement, I would have paid $82.33 if it wasn't under warranty.

    So, if you start hearing suspension clunks, the connecting links may be the culprit.

    Service was fast and professional and service department has excellent hours, 7AM-11PM weekdays and 8AM-5PM Saturday. I got the car in for service on the same day I called.
  • sdiorisdiori Member Posts: 20
    Hi all. I was speaking with a relative of mine who is in college, and he asked me if buying a 2001 Taurus SES w/ 27,000 miles on it was a more safe bet than a '95, '96 Accord w/ 80-90k miles on it. (He's trying to spend 8-10k dollars).

    The question itself may seem a bit ridiculous at first, but I honestly didn't know how to answer it. Because I've only driven GM's I've have grown sour of ANY American manufactured automobile. Being that this is the Taurus forum, how have your experiences been, in regards to reliabilty, w/ your Taurus'.

    THX

    sdiori
  • strokeoluckstrokeoluck Member Posts: 99
    Honda w/many miles vs. Ford with few miles. That's an age old question. Ten years ago I think the answer would be HONDA. But, in my humble opinion, I'd say it's no contest now, go with the FORD. I haven't owned many foreign cars, in fact just two, both VW's (and they ran great). But ANY car with 80-90K miles is due to encounter problems at some point in the not-too-distant future. Even the routine stuff like brakes and hoses is going to catch up more quickly, unless he finds a Honda where that's been done already.

    By the way the other car he might want to consider is a used Grand Prix. I put 100,000 miles on my '97 in two years and it truly ran like a top. I would have put it up against any foreign car in terms of reliability and performance (comparing apples to apples). My 2000 Taurus is a little more hum-drum than the G.P. but it's also cheaper, easier to get into/out-of and a bit roomier than the G.P. (and certainly the Accord). Tell him to go with the Ford.

    My opinion,
    Rob
  • sdiorisdiori Member Posts: 20
    Thanx Rob for your input. Ironically, I too considered the Grand Prix, but opted not to share it with him for a chance the car may not be reliable (my GM-phobia).

    The Taurus does seem like the wiser choice of the two, and that's what I think I'll recommend.

    THX AGAIN

    sdiori
  • jtkz13jtkz13 Member Posts: 51
    BTW the stabalizer links are plastic and are known to break. You should have pushed for aluminum replacements if at all possible. I think Moog makes them. However, I have 70k on my 2000 and they are intact, and I have hit a curb dead-on going 50mph. Bent both front rims like crazy, but didn't hurt the suspension one bit. I have lowering springs too. :)
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    I did not realize the links were plastic, but if they go again after warranty is up, I will certainly look into replacing them with upgraded ones. It likely is a good candidate for a do it myself job, based on the short time it was serviced. I will look them over next time I put it up on my ramps to change oil.
  • strokeoluckstrokeoluck Member Posts: 99
    That's interesting. I had the same things replaced, under warranty, on my '96 Taurus. I guess I figured they had updated them by now.

    - Rob
  • e_net_ridere_net_rider Member Posts: 1,380
    Actually before they changed to plastic, Ford used cast iron and after markets such as TRW used a steel rod with the joint welded to each end.
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    Supposedly the last Tauruses will be in 2006, so you have a while yet.

    The 04's get some mild stlying tweaks. Saw a spy photo in Road and Track.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    why would you want to update the taurus? it's the best car in its class. right! why spend all that money for a redesign if you don't have to? and the price, you should be able to pick up a loaded one for $5k by the time the 06 tauruses comes out.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    What WHAT IS COMMON BETWEEN Taurus and jetta/BMW 3 series? Just intriguing.
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    my sarcasm has nothing to do with the car i drive now. i will be getting an accord ex v6 quite soon though.

    the midsize sedan segment is a big piece of the automotive pie. ford has the engineering talent to do a lot better than the current taurus to go into to battle with. if i'm not mistaken, ford will eventually replace the taurus with the ford 500 and a car similar to the mazda6. but to have the taurus go to the model year 06 is way too long. the 2 door escort needs to be put out of its misery too.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    I just meant that customer who shop for german cars never interested about Taurus (or american Ford whatever).

    Problem with Taurus and Ford in general is developing time is too long, manufactirung is not flexible enough. Having this you have to play catch up with imports forever. VW designed Passat so good that it is still best in class even after 5 years. But Ford did the same with Mondeo and Focus. New Mondeo and Focus just smashed competition. Why European and NA Ford are disconnected, don't ask me. When Futura will come will not be too late again ? Futura should be on market yesterday. They have to smash Camry with new Futura this time, or it will be the same story again with rebates and etc. It is not easy I know, but they were able to do it with Focus against Golf.

    It is ironic that Japanese companies better understand needs of American customers that American companies.
  • ohio7ohio7 Member Posts: 67
    I am so annoyed with Ford. I have a 2000 SEL with the adjustable pedals. It will be 3 years old on 22 June (17,400 miles). It had a recall for these pedals 9 months after I bought it. This is the THIRD time that that recall fix had to be done again!! The last time it was in Jan. 2002 and the car could not be taken out of park. This time the brake lights stayed on and luckily, I was able to find a dealership open till 3:00 on Sat.

    I raced down there to find that, now for the 3rd time, I need another brake light switch. Of course, they didn't have one. I did learn how to unplug the switch. (For instructions, post me on that - don't want to waste space if no one but me has had this annoying occurance.) The mechanic told me that they get a lot of cars in with this SAME problem over and over!

    The service manager was pretty decent though. I'm bringing it in after work today and he's giving me a loaner for the next day until they get a light switch. I got another recall recently concerning another aspect of these adjustable pedals. Since I wasn't having trouble with the arrangement of the spacing of the two pedals, I ignored the recall. I think I'll have them look at it and see if I really need "whatever" done to them.

    I posted this problem in Jan. 2002 asking if anyone had any problems but no one responded. Is no one else having trouble but me?!
  • fdthirdfdthird Member Posts: 352
    Makes me glad we didn't get the adjustable pedals on my wife's 2001 SEL!
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    I don't find adjustable pedals useful. Probably it was designed to satisfy asian customers in CA.
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    "They have to smash Camry with new Futura this time.."

    Futura and 500, not just a "one size fits all" car.

    Some say the Futura will be "dated", how do they know? It will be considered an "updated" Mazda 6. And how high can HP go for the Accord? No way will they sell 300HP FWD cars at 20 G's.
  • eng6ineeng6ine Member Posts: 29
    I wish they would produce a coupe version of the current Taurus to replace the affordable Thurderbird from "97" when they stopped production.........Nooooo cant make an affordable coupe that isn't a Mustang....Focus is to small.........And I hope they keep these newer vehicles.....afFORDable!!!!!!!!
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    nice idea, wouldn't be hard for them to do.
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    "...wish they would produce a coupe version of the current Taurus to replace the affordable Thurderbird from "97" when they stopped production."

    People "wish" for coupes, and admire them in pictures. But, when they lay down hard earned money, guess what they buy? Sedans, trucks, SUV's, vans. If they really want a 2 door, they get a performance model or a ragtop.

    A Taurus coupe would collect dust and have to have $5000 rebates, why bother? It's on the way out anyway.
  • maplecanesmaplecanes Member Posts: 2
    What's a good price on a 2000 Taurus SEL, Duratec engine, 40,000 miles and all options except for a power sunroof.
  • iusecadiusecad Member Posts: 287
    Goto Real-World Trade-In Values and ask your question for best results. And be sure to also include color, condition and where in the country you're at. Good Luck!
  • strokeoluckstrokeoluck Member Posts: 99
    Didn't want anyone to feel alone so, yes, I too have had the brake light problem. Though only ONCE and it never came back. I didn't think it was a horrible problem; I'd prefer to have the brake lights stuck permanently on as opposed to permanently OFF. :-) Since replacing whatever they replaced a few years ago I've never had another issue with that. My 2000 has 104k miles.

    The adjustable brake pedals also haven't been a problem - I RARELY adjust them. Typically only after my wife has been in the car fiddling with things. I did get a notice about the spacing between the two pedals but didn't pay any attention to it. I think the dealer may have checked/adjusted them the last time I had the car in for service but I don't recall hearing anything major coming of that check.

    Regards,
    Rob
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    Has anyone done it? Is it difficult to access the oil filer?
    They make some kits that make it easy to remove the oil without removing the drain plug, but if the filter is difficult to remove, it will still be easier to just go to Jiffy Lube, Walmart or the dealer.

    image

    image
  • jbkennedyjbkennedy Member Posts: 70
    My mom drives a 2000 LS with the adjustable pedals. A month ago, she took her car in to the dealer to have them "fix" the pedals per Ford's recall. She had not had any problems previously with these pedals, but after the recall work had been done, she noticed that the engine idle too fast when at stop. Last week, as she was pulling into a parking space, the car suddenly accelerated and she lost control and ran into a building! Fortunately, no one was hurt but she was very shaken.

    Does anyone think there is a correlation between this accident and the recall?
  • strokeoluckstrokeoluck Member Posts: 99
    I'm not sure how well that oil change vacuum would work. But the headlights sure look nice.

    :-)

    Sorry, couldn't resist,
    Rob
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    Often people become confused and press the gas pedal when they meant to press the brake. I have heard of accidents caused by this more than once.
  • danielj6danielj6 Member Posts: 285
    Very interesting! I just keep coming back to look at the oil change. ;)
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    It might be Vulcan, but not Taurus. Still it looks very attractive indeed, I cannot resist eigher, I wanna oil change, now :!)
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    need to get a life!

    Seriously, since you have to get under the car to get the filter on either Vulcan or Duratec and it is easier to put the car on ramps to do that, I think I will continue to let Mother Nature (gravity) drain my oil. I have a rectangular container that acts as a drain pan when set on its side. This can hold two changes, and I haul it to my local city recyclable yard and dump it into their container.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    Hey buddy you are missing something in the whole picture :-)
  • s852s852 Member Posts: 1,051
    I just looked at a Vulcan engine in a Ford Taurus and it looks like you might be able to reach the filer from the top and avoid climbing under the car altogether if you use the dipstick vacuum pump.
  • e_net_ridere_net_rider Member Posts: 1,380
    I need to know what differences to look for in a Sable that is California certified. Will there be any problems with it on the east coast. Poorer gas milage etc? Dealer has it and is a program certified car with 6yr, 75000 mile warranty. The price is 10800 for a 2002.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    http://www.polk.com/news/releases/2003_0625.asp

    It is survey on owners loyality. Mercury Sable is in the top in Midsize Car segment with 31.5% (average is 21.0%).
This discussion has been closed.