Body is structurally sound and one of the safest out there.

Mechanically unreliable. It is not a matter of if this vehicle will leave you stranded, it is when and where it will happen. It could be the head gaskets, transmission, air conditioning unit, radiator, power steering system, or any one of the other systems. I have owned this vehicle since 1992, had all major repairs (up till this year, 2000) performed by the Ford Dealership and living to regret it. Head gaskets out at 72,000 miles first time, 81000 the second. Transmission fixed under extended warranty program in 1995 by Dealership at 45,000 miles out again at 80,000 miles at a cost of $3,200. Extended warranty programs are a joke, don't address all of the problems identified in TSBs, only enough to get it out of the shop. Mechanics are underpaid to perform extended warranty program repairs, nice incentive program!!!

FORD Motor Company is, in my opinion, almost criminal in its' response to the well documented problems with the 3.8L engine and the AXODE transmission. They have been slanderous, unresponsive, and evasive in our attempts to discuss our situations with them. It is impossible to get an answer. The Dealer principal will say that Ford has the answer, Ford will say that we stand behind our Dealers. The District representative will say one or the other.

I could never get an answer to this question: "What is the maintenance required for the head gaskets you replaced in our vehicle with Ford parts?" Dealer said "We installed factory approved parts." Ford, "Ask dealership." District Representive, "You need to accept responsibility for your vehicle."

Calculated that this vehicle has cost us approximately $0.35/mile to own it since 1992 (financing and major repairs). This figure does NOT include tires, oil/fluid changes, regular maintenance items, gas, insurance, etc.

I wouldn't wish this vehicle on my worst enemy. I can't wait to try and trade or sell it.

Similar Products Used:

I can not compare them to other manufacturers since we haven't had the magnitude of problems with other vechiles. I have owned GM, Chrylser, Honda, and Toyota products.

it moves

transmission sucks, it rusts very easily, is very ugly.

ive had to replace the transmission, the speedometer rattles. the wishbone suspension gets bent very easily. to sum it up dont by a ford, well atleast a taurus. im planning on getting rid of it since the transmission is goin out again, if you want a car that likes to sit, this is a car for you

Similar Products Used:

a rock

it moves

transmission sucks, it rusts very easily, is very ugly.

ive had to replace the transmission, the speedometer rattles. the wishbone suspension gets bent very easily. to sum it up dont by a ford, well atleast a taurus. im planning on getting rid of it since the transmission is goin out again, if you want a car that likes to sit, this is a car for you

Similar Products Used:

a rock

it moves

transmission sucks, it rusts very easily, is very ugly.

ive had to replace the transmission, the speedometer rattles. the wishbone suspension gets bent very easily. to sum it up dont by a ford, well atleast a taurus. im planning on getting rid of it since the transmission is goin out again, if you want a car that likes to sit, this is a car for you

Similar Products Used:

a rock

does run and drive good

had miss and check engine light, took to dealer and computer said spark plug wires and plugs bad. personaly replaced with bosch plugs and oem wires, temporarily improved then appreared worse than first time, returned to dealer for computer test again and informed that only dealer items would alleviate troubles, this i did and now seems to run much better, but plugs were almost 7 dollars apiece and wires were over 50 dollars...terribly expensive, and was just looking in blue book to determine trade in value,,,from 3 to 4 thousand..this for car that was supposedly worth close to 20 thousand a little over 3 years ago.not quite up to invested standards..

dont really think that i will purchase another taurus

Similar Products Used:

had similar car, mercury sable in 1986, which got much better gas mileage also, sable-26 to30 mpg taurus 17 to 21 mpg

exterior looks

very poorly built .. worthless parts. Squeeks, leaky seals, poorly placed wires - no rear headrests!! Mechanical problems

If you are considering buying a taurus DONT DO IT! simple as that. We have paid for this car twice, once buying it the second time in all the parts that have been replaced. Everything on the inside is cheap- the little buttons on the climate control crack when they heat up but thats just the least of the problems. The head gastket has been replaced along with the starter (2x), the motor mount, the wiring for the brake lights, air conditioner, leaky block. . etc. and now the tranny is due to go any minute. Not to mention Ford was a pain to deal with when it came to recalls. . I do not recommend buying any ford product!

Similar Products Used:

None

Looked very nice, V-6 3.8 engine had a lot of power.

Overheated, transmission had a miss in it, power door locks and windows were possessed and went up and down while I was driving, made a crunching noise when I turned the wheels but only when it was cold, smelled like gas in the antifreeze, speedometer got stuck, got lousy gas mileage, sometimes it wouldn't start on for me. It had 70,500 miles on it when I unloaded it.

I was having terrible trouble with it overheating on me. We replaced 3 thermostats and it still cooked itself every morning, but only when it was really cold. I went on the internet and did research and found out that I was not alone. I had become a member of the lemon club. I also read about all of the transmission trouble that would be coming to see me soon, and about other people having possessed door locks. I hated how people looked at me when the car made crunchy sounds when I turned the wheels. I was going to fix the car until I read that it would be no use. Everytime I turned the key I prayed that it would feel like starting. So,on a good evening when the engine wasn't overheating, and the cruching noise wasn't there I drove it with my fingers crossed to the nearest Pontiac dealer and bought myself a 1993 Pontiac Grand Am.They loved the car, and they were going to resell it with a 30 day warranty. This helped to clear my conscious. I drove home in a Pontiac with 118,000 miles on it and felt the safest that I have ever felt.

Similar Products Used:

I thought that my Ford Tempo was trouble but it didn't hold a candle to this possessed demon. I wouldn't recommend this to my worst enemy.

Good acceleration and handling. Nice roomy feeling and good trunk space, and up until now, very few problems. A great family car. Easy in and out, even the back seats for children and adults alike. Gas millage is good.. not great.. but with the 6 cylinder I am not complaining.

Running into recall troubles now after all this time that are not covered for this manfacture date. *grumble*

I paid $7,000.00 for this car in 1996. It had high millage on it, 76,000 miles. But was otherwise very well cared for. Ran very well and didn't have the front end troubles of the 1988. Never had any troubles with stalling, cold weather starting, or over heating.
BUT.. at 100,000 miles the air conditioning went out, and now at 130,000 there is a recall for the headlights. Guess what... this Taurus missed the recall by a few months. And even though it is having the EXACT trouble of those covered under the recall, head lights flashing on and off after operating for a period of about an hour and a half, it isn't covered.
I have had to have the normal maintence on it, brakes, tires, and oil etc.. But that is it.
So long run I more than got my money's worth. Over all... I am happy with the car despite the troubles now with the headlights. I've doubled the millage and still it doesn't seem to be nearing the end of it's "life".
I'd buy another.. but would skip the 96-99's and shoot for the 2000.
For my money spent.. I'd say I found a winner in the used car world.

Similar Products Used:

1988 Taurus, 1996 Taurus. Much better than the 1988. Handling was improved and the feel and look of the car as well. In my opinion the 1993 really surpasses the 1996 Taurus where room and ride is concerned.
Chrysler LHS.. can't really compare considering the price difference but the Taurus compares in ride for me. Very nice ride even for 10 hour trips.

Good stereo system. Seats 8 if you add the 3rd seat! Cruise control on steering wheel. Comfortable seats, good climate control, smooth ride with the longer wagon wheelbase. Good gas mileage for a people mover car (24 highway, 18 city).

Let me count the ways....Exempting the more recent couple years in which one expects a 9yr old car to start having a larger increase in repairs ours had far more than that for an average taurus owner. We've placed 60K miles on it while we've owned it. 1) Bad Transmissions - Replaced once under special program w/62K, then again after the 1yr 12,000mi Ford replacement warranty w/98K. 2) Tie Rods, Idler Arm, CV joints, Bushings, Rubber bootings, Shocks, Struts were replaced at least twice while we've owned it.
3) Brakes, Shoes, Rotors, Drums, Calipers - Replaced all twice. 4) Power Steering Unit replaced once and several components twice. 5) AC, Compressor, Evaporator Coil, Seals, Hoses, entire system replaced, recently broke again and told it would cost $250 to repair major seal leaks. Need I go on????

I wouldn't wish buying a used Taurus L Wagon on anyone. It seemed clear to me that what I thought was a reliable automobile at a good price was really a used lemon. After some research I have found that Ford knew that many Taurus' had the same problems noted above but chose to let consumers pay for their mistakes. We accidently ran into the Transmission Program but the rebuilt transmission had to be replaced at our cost 18months later. Ford's transmission problems continued for several years in the Taurus line so beware of '92-93-94-95's. Like so many others we bought a used vehicle because of economic reasons but didn't think that a '90's domestic product would begin to "fall apart" so quickly or so badly. I recommend not buying this and would only buy one with a comprehensive extended warranty. In that case you'd be far better off buying a 1-2yr old with a warranty remaining.

Similar Products Used:

89 Aerostar Minivan. The Aerostar seemed to be built of more heavy duty components and had no problems even after owning it for 45K miles.

nice powerful engine, comfy and roomy, adjustable brake & gas pedals

bashes well, wind noise at highway speeds

not a bad car, but not that great either. I test drive a new model the other day and let me tell you, Ford has come a long way with their taurus since the year i got mine. I comparison, mine's a POS. Its always getting bashed up. definitely not a safe car. I got half the bumper knocked off in a rear-ender a couple weeks ago. The engine's smooth and quiet, and it runs well. There's excessive wind noise at highway speeds, though.

Similar Products Used:

saturn SL, Town&Country