KnownCarProblems2000 Ford Taurus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,195 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Taurus, most often about the suspension (37% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Taurus model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2000 Ford Taurus problems
Suspension
443 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
While driving 5 MPH front passenger spring/struts/axle snapped and failed. Consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was in the process of repairing the problem.
When pulling out of the driving right front wheel detached from the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to a repair shop, where the lower ball joints were replaced due to rust and wear. Consumer still has the defective lower ball joints.
Engine
108 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
While traveling anywhere between 10 MPH to 60 MPH engine stalls out as if too much air or not enough gas. This has happened in the middle of downtown city traffic and on major interstates over the last 2 months. It takes from 10 minutes to one hour to start car up, then runs with no problems for a week or so then all…
While driving 50 MPH spark plug snapped off from the engine. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Brakes
108 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, disc.
Defective ABS speed indicator ring. It is cracked,slides off the axle and contacts the lower control arm causing front end vibration and noise. There are no ABS error messages or indicators. My concern is that in a panic stop the this will cause incorrect information to the ABS braking system and cause poor braking.…
2000 Ford Taurus se, ABS, traction control, 3.0 24 valve engine. This month we had to replace the rear brakes with only 45,500 miles on the car. The vehicle is kept in house garage. After driving a few days on rain slick roads and after being in the garage overnight the rear brakes had locked shut and would not allow…
Transmission
99 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
Dt: the contact stated the vehicle was making a chattering noise when putting it in reverse. She took the vehicle to a local mechanic, they said there was a torn lip seal on reverse accumulator due to a defective cut on transmission channel plate. She contacted the dealer, and they did not offer a free remedy. Updated…
My 2000 Ford Taurus was out of warranty (53,000 miles) when the transmission and torque converter had to be replaced. I wrote to william clay Ford, jr. Office and was told in a nice way "too bad so sad" it's out of warranty. And people wonder why its so difficult to stay loyal to american products? The foreign…
Air bags
88 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
My wife rear ended a car and the airbag let out a puff of greyish smoke but did not deploy. After the airbag/seat belt light has stayed on. Krieger Ford dealership had put it on their diagnostic machine and said the airbag was fine, but the seat belt tensioner needed replacement. I believe this much is true because it…
We had this vehicle checked several times due to the airbag light coming on/staying on/flashing. On one occasion the sensor was replaced, after that it was cleaned, due to corrosion at the connection. My wife was involved in an auto accident on 8/16/05 where the car was hit on the drivers side front end at…
Speed control
87 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Taurus. When driving below 65 MPH, the vehicle fails to accelerate properly. The failure occurs at least four times per day. The contact also stated that the transmission is leaking. She stated that the 1999 Ford Taurus has safety recalls for the vehicle speed control and power train…
I was cruising on the freeway, as I approached my exit I began hitting the brakes and noticed the car was hardly slowing down. I continued to slam on the brakes attempting to get down to the off ramp speed limit until I realized it wasn't going to happen. I was rapidly approaching a busy intersection and before I…
Lights
87 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signal.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Taurus. The vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v106000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch) and was repaired. Approximately two years after the repair, the brake lights would not illuminate and the gear shifter could not be released from park. The…
Brake light switch assembly has failed three times in 53,000 miles on my 2000 Ford Taurus. It was replaced under recall in 2001, I paid to replace it in 2002 and 2003 as the dealership says the reapair can only be covered under the recall one time. When it fails, the lights either stay on and drain the battery or they…
Fuel system
66 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system, carburetor system.
While driving 35 MPH the vehicle sputtered and misfired. The vehicle was parked and shut off but it could not be restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed the problem as a faulty fuel pump. The consumer feels the pump should not had failed with such low mileage.
Front, and rear coil springs, possibly- fuel pump, all failed in Ford Taurus 2000 sel 66k miles. This could cause driver to loose control, loss of power on highway. These problems could lead to serious injury. The coil springs are well know but Ford will not replace rear coil springs... Fuel pumps seem to go out in…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Ford Taurus recalls
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: If this occurs, the tire may rupture resulting in a rapid air loss, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install protective spring shields. In addition, ford is extending the warranty coverage of the front coil springs in all other states, for fracture only, up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until july 31, 2005. If either front coil spring fractures, dealers will replace both front springs at no charge to the owner. An interim notice was sent to owners on august 2, 2004. Parts are now available for the 2000-2001 my vehicles and owners were sent a letter on january
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, the front coil springs could fracture due to corrosion associated with salt used on the roadways during the winter. A fractured spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire.
Lights: switch
Risk: In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "park" if they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.
Fix: Dealers will remove the stop lamp switch and associated wiring assembly and install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 5, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could render the stop lamps inoperable or cause them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash.
Brakes: pedals and linkages
Risk: This could result in a customer experiencing an "unintended vehicle speed increase" or a perceived "unable to stop" condition.
Fix: Owners will be instructed as to the proper way to set the position of the pedals and to take their vehicles to a dealer to have the spacing between the brake and accelerator pedals measured. If the spacing is found to be less than 50 mm, the dealer will adjust the pedals to increase the distance between them to greater than 50 mm. Owner notification began october 28, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable padels are being recalled in order to adjust the brake and accelerator pedals to a minimum of 50 mm of lateral separation. Simultaneous application of both the brake and accelerator pedals could result in an increase in engine RPM.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 thro
Lights: switch
Risk: This would cause difficulty for the driver to activate the headlamps, which could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the headlamp switch knob. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. Due to the use of incorrect material by a supplier, the headlamp switch knob can fracture and separate from the headlamp switch.
Lights: switch
Risk: A short circuit could lead to either the brake lamps staying on, or to a loss of brake lamp function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch and wipe down the adjustable pedal assembly to remove excess grease. Owner notification began march 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. If the grease from the adjustable pedal assembly enters the stop lamp switch, it can contaminate the contacts leading to carbon build up, and potentially, a short circuit.
Lights: back up lights
Risk: Under the requirements of the standard, the chmsl shall be activated only upon appplication of the service brakes. Also, the vehicle could roll increasing the risk of a crash, if the shift lever can be shifted out of park without depressing the brake pedal.
Fix: Dealers will install a jumper/resistor assembly at the spoiler that provides an electrical resistor to ground and corrects the chmsl and brake-shift interlock conditions. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger sedans with factory or dealer-installed deck lid spoilers with LED center high mounted stop lamps (chmsl). Vehicles produced with spoilers were manufactured from march 1 through october 31, 2000; and vehicles with spoilers installed by dealers were manufactured from january 1 thorough december 30, 2000. With the ignition switch in the start or run positions and the hazard warning lights operating, the chmsl can illuminate (at reduced intensity) even though the service brakes have not been applied. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." also, in some cases the vehicle brake-shift interlock would not function properly, allowing the shift lever to be moved from park without applying the brake.
Equipment: labels
Risk: Excessive loading can cause tire and vehicle damage that could result in a crash.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplemental label with the correct information, along with instructions for affixing the label adjacent to the vehicle certification label. Owner notification began october 20, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The "vehicle capacity weight" and "designated seating capacity" information was not printed on the safety certification labels affixed to these vehicles. On affected sable sedan vehicles, the "vehicles capacity weight" (and also the luggage load) information printed on this label is incorrect - sable wagon luggage load was incorrectly used for the sable sedan. These vehicles do not comply with the label requirements of fmvss no. 110, "tire selection and rims."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Speed control cable damage
Summary
On june 21, 2013, ford initiated customer satisfaction program 13b04 to address a concern with speed control cable damage in certain model year (my) 2000 through 2003 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l 4v duratec engines and built at the chicago assembly plant.in the dealer letter for the program, ford indicates that the speed control cables on affected vehicles may be susceptible to damage or becoming partially disconnected during under hood vehicle maintenance (e.g., replacing a battery or changing the air filter) and that a damaged speed control cable could interfere with the throttle's full return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released.ford's program instructs dealers t
Rear coil spring fracture
Summary
Odi's analysis identified a high complaint rate for the rear coil springs in the salt belt states (approximately 250 per 100,000 vehicles).approximately 59 percent of the complaints alleged that the coil spring failure caused damage to the adjacent rear tire, with about half of these (30 percent of total complaints) alleging that the damage resulted in air loss.because air loss from a rear tire can result in changes in vehicle handling characteristics, odi examined field data, test data and interviewed consumers to assess the safety consequences of such failures in the subject vehicle population.analysis of all available field data did not identify any crashes or injuries resulting from the
Rear coil spring fracture
Summary
The office of defect investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation, pe05-054, based on 131 vehicle owner questionnaires related to alleged rear coil spring fractures.since opening the investigation there have been an additional sixty-three (63) complaints alleging rear coil spring fracture.an analysis of the vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) submitted to odi reveals that 42% of the complainants allege that the adjacent tire was punctured as result of a rear coil spring fracture. Additionally, an analysis of the complaint data received by odi from ford reveals the following: there were a total of 553 unique vehicle complaints of coil spring fracture. 30% of the complaints allege that th
Front suspension coil spring fracture
Summary
Odi possesses 130 vehicle owners questionnaires (voq) alleging front suspension coil spring failure in the subject (model year 1999-2000) vehicles.an additional 11 voqs concerning my 2001 vehicles have been found, bringing the total to 141.more than 75% of these reports allege that the broken spring damaged or punctured the adjacent tire.all of these reports originated in the salt belt states located in the northeast quadrant of the united states and canada.ford will conduct a safety recall (04v-332) covering vehicles soldor currently registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jerse
Brake/accelerator pedal application
Summary
Ms. Rodman reported that after her vehicle was inspected for the recall, her mother experienced a sudden acceleration and crashed the sable into a light pole.previously NHTSA had conducted an investigation for this issue (pe02-035) that resulted in the recall (02v-266) of 369,000 my 2000-2002 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with adjustable brake and accelerator pedals to insure that the separation between the pedals was at least 50mm..a review of odi's database for complaints regarding recall 02v-266 did not identify any recall remedy complaints other than the petitioner's.ms. Rodman?s vehicle was inspected by odi using ford?s special tool and her vehicle was found to exceed 50mm.also, th
Brake light switch failure
Summary
Ford conducted a recall in march, 2001 to correct a defect affecting the brake light switch in my 2000 through early-2001 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with power adjustable pedals (recall 01v-078).rq03-008 was opened to investigate complaints concerning the remedy and scope of 01v-078.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in recalled vehicles,failures in my 2001-02 vehicles with adjustable pedals that were not included in recall 01v-078, and failures in my 2000 vehicles with fixed pedals.(note: the manufacturer failure data in this resume includes all crashes and injuries, but the complaint information is limited to my 2001-02 vehicles that were not included in t
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
Summary
This investigation identified a total of 427 reports alleging non-deployment of the frontal air bags.of the 427 reports, two incidents (fatal crashes) have been identified as severe frontal crashes in which the frontal air bags did not deploy.a defect trend has not been identified at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached summary report.
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
Summary
Ford motor company has identified 260 reports alleging frontal air bag non-deployment for any (severity) frontal or near-frontal crash on model year 2000-2001 ford taurus and mercury sable vehicles.additional crash reports are contained in NHTSA's fatality analysis reporting system (fars) database.the single odi report listed in the report summary is NHTSA's special crash investigation's case no. Ca00-020 that involved a high-speed crash non-deployment involving a driver fatality and front passenger injury.this preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea03-010) and odi will collect additional information on certain crash reports and conduct further study of this i
Brake/accel pedal separation
Questions about the 2000 Ford Taurus
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Ford Taurus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (443 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); engine (108 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); brakes (108 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Taurus have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 15, 2004 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Ford Taurus?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Taurus model year since 2000, with 1,195 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.