If you own a Ford Taurus and you're having some problems with it, you may be interested to know that there are a lot of resources available that will help with your Ford Taurus repair needs. These resources include free manuals, expert forums, and of course, informational websites.
About Ford Taurus
The Ford Taurus was a unique Ford design in that it introduced a list of new engineering innovations to the auto industry when the company introduced it to the market in 1986. It offered car consumers a bit more style than the boxy sedans of the time. The body design, front wheel drive capability, and sports suspension tuning led to many variations within Ford's lineup utilizing much of the engineering that went into the original Taurus design.
Ford Taurus History
While the original design was mostly a success, there were a few issues that resulted in significant changes over the years:
- From 1986 through 1991, the Taurus had sales of just over 32,000. In 1992, the front end and back end style received a redesign.
- In 1993, the Taurus also came with an optional four-speed automatic transmission. Whether it was the style or the new equipment, this next generation of Taurus had much more success with sales reaching up over 52,000.
- By 1996, Ford redesigned the engine with a bit more power - a 2.5 liter V-6 - and engineers added electronically controlled shocks for better control. Unfortunately, despite the attempts to improve the previous generation, from 1996 through 1999, the Ford Taurus saw the worst sales of all, at just over 21,000 units sold. Japanese competition also played a significant part in the loss of market share.
- After many generations, Ford discontinued the Taurus in 2007. However, in 2010, Ford surprised everyone with a brand new Taurus model, once again proving to the automotive industry that even though a car model is removed from the production line, it's never really gone for good.
Ford Taurus Repair Issues
When you have to work on maintenance and repair issues with the Ford Taurus, it's important to understand the historical track record for each year of that model. Each generation of Ford Taurus had various known issues that surfaced after drivers owned the vehicles for a few years. Probably the most well-known issue the Ford Taurus had was with the transmission system. Ironically, the Taurus experienced fewer problems during the early years. However, toward the end of the 1990s, quality issues started to plague the automaker. The worst year was in 2003, when Ford received a record number of complaints regarding the Taurus transmission. If you ever consider purchasing a used 2003 Taurus, make sure to check if the transmission was replaced. If not, you could very likely face issues with it down the road.
Here are a few other notable issues:
- In 2001, the Taurus mostly experienced suspension issues, but also had problems with the transmission, the climate control system, and the engine.
- 2003 model mostly saw a spike in reported issues due to the significant transmission problems, but there were also reported issues with the engine, climate control system, and the electrical system.
- In 2004, Ford made significant strides in recovering from the problems from the previous year, and there were far fewer complaints from consumers that year across the board. There were still some reported transmission issues, but overall, there were significantly fewer complaints in 2004 than there were in the previous year.
- Complaints in 2005 once again spiked to record levels, again regarding transmission problems. While 2005 models had engine, climate control, and electrical issues, this was the first year that interior accessory issues rose to the top of the list of complaints due to some issues with the accelerator pedal.
In 2010, Ford revealed a new model of the Taurus, and it proved to be quite an improvement in style, quality, and functionality. The 2010 Ford Taurus introduced a new era in American auto manufacturing, where quality and pricing can compete with that of Asian automakers.
Ford Taurus Repair Help
Once you're familiar with the known issues of the model year you're working on, you can get to work repairing the problem. After you've determined that none of those issues are causing the specific problem you're working on, then it's time to start troubleshooting. There are plenty of resources that will help you with Ford Taurus repair:
- Haynes offers repair manuals at cost and provides Ford Taurus manuals for 1996 through 2005.
- Repair Pal is a great resource where you can ask questions and get answers about your specific Taurus repair issue.
- Parts Geek is another good resource for repair manuals. Just enter the make and year of the car you're working on.
- Car Parts Wholesale is a good place to go not only for repair manuals but also for any Taurus car parts that you might not be able to find locally.
Ford Auto Repair
Even though Ford has had issues with various models throughout the years, the Taurus remains one of the most well-known and well-respected vehicles on the market today. Most repair technicians enjoy working on Fords because of the ease with which you can find parts and the commonality of the design among other American automaker designs.
