Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - REAR WINDOW | |||||
| 04189 | 12/13/2004 | 04245 | 10014062 | Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. *tt | 04/27/2005 |
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - BLOWER | |||||
| 13347 | 10/01/1999 | 609623 | Subject regarding inoperative blower motor. *tt | 04/04/2000 | |
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - CONTROLS/WIRING | |||||
| 041514 | 08/09/2004 | 04189 | 10011159 | Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. *tt | 01/04/2005 |
| 031501 | 07/12/2004 | 04137 | 10009321 | Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns. *tt | 09/23/2004 |
| 02236 | 11/25/2002 | 10008314 | Erratic operation of the cool/warm function of the temperature control system - repair procedure for stratification (secondary) temperature blend door. *tt | 07/27/2004 | |
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE | |||||
| 01156 | 08/06/2001 | 623944 | Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc | 10/31/2001 | |
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||||
| 00263 | 12/22/2000 | 616828 | Some vehicles may exhibit a power window that will not operate downward because it's stuck / bound to the weathership header. *tt | 03/13/2001 | |
| 5898 | 03/01/1999 | 605257 | Subject regarding accessory delay - owner guide information. *tt | 06/07/1999 | |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||||
| 996039 | 05/01/1999 | 606954 | Experiencing windnoise / water leak from windshield. *tt | 09/08/1999 | |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||||
| 12874 | 06/01/1999 | 6092039 | Some vehicles may intermittently exhibit a self activated single wipe of the front windshield wipers. *tt | 11/20/2000 | |
| 13253 | 09/01/1999 | 6090655 | (continued from 13251 and 13252) uncommanded front wiper function. *mjs | 03/22/2000 | |
| 99224 | 10/18/1999 | 6089685 | Subject regarding front wipers operating while switch is in off position. *tt | 02/11/2000 | |
| 6469 | 06/01/1999 | 606863 | Conditions with windshield wiper operating without command. *tt | 09/03/1999 | |
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||||
| 02107 | 05/27/2002 | 636080 | Transfer service tips for the front wiper motor mount bracket and depressed park output arm. *tt | 11/05/2002 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 01/01/2005 | 1 | ||
| I own a 99 ford taurus. it is leaking water into the passenger compartment. this leak has caused the heater blower motor and resister to short out as a result i have no heat and it is winter in minnesota. i cannot afford the over $200 repair and with the leak still present it will short out again. there is at least one similar complaint that i know of, it is 10184014. i believe this is a safety issue because my windows will not defrost and it impairs my vision. the blower motor would not have failed if the leak did not exist. *tr | |||
| 08/25/2009 | 1 | ||
| I just purchased this vehicle from a car dealer. since i purchase my bolts to the back brakes came out. front end is making noises especially when turning the wheel. back window is ready to break off missing passenger side hinge to hold the window in place. brakes squeal. electrical system is not working properly for example the power doors do not unlock, the power seat does not adjust when you push the button, the trunk can not be opened with the key, the doors have to be unlock manually. *tr | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM | |||
| 10/01/2001 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states while driving and running air conditioning or heater and strong petroleum type smell emits from the vents. consumer advised that it does not smell like exhaust fumes. nlm | |||
| 04/02/2001 | 09/01/2000 | ||
| A realy bad smell is coming from the vents when the heater is on took it the dealers to have it checked they could smell it but could not figer out why it smelled still not fixed. *ak | |||
| 08/10/1999 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle is emmiting a odor from the heating/air conditioning system which makes it hard for passengers to breath. nlm | |||
| 02/15/2000 | 06/23/1999 | ||
| Rear defogger/defroster does not work when needed, causing poor visibility. consumer has contacted dealer, but they have not found anything wrong. *ak *ml | |||
| 12/10/1999 | 25 | 11/01/1999 | |
| Drivers shoulder restraint locks in place, pinning driver to seat. #2. ac discharges foul odor from all vents causing burning watering eyes. | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - BLOWER | |||
| 05/03/2009 | 199000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford taurus. the air conditioner blower motor has a shortage and the passenger side floor was always wet due to a leak. the dealer has not diagnosed the failure and the manufacturer has not been notified. the failure mileage was 199,000. | |||
| 02/10/2003 | 46842 | 1 | 08/30/2000 |
| The headlights failed while driving.*jb. the blower motor also failed. *jb | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM - WINDSHIELD - HEATER CORE | |||
| 08/24/2007 | 145000 | 4 | |
| Ford coolant corrosion is costing us tooooo much. engine was running hot. started with thermostat, then degas bottle cap (full of rust), then water pump (fins corroded and gone), then radiator flushed-full of rust, now head gasket is gone. flushing system didn't help. heater core has problems too--no heat to defrost windows which is hazardous to driving car. *tr | |||
| 12/12/2003 | 53572 | 1 | 12/24/1998 |
| Heater core had to be replaced. dealer stated that it became clogged because of sludge buildup.*ak | |||
| 56000 | 2 | ||
| Coolant system needed to be flushed out on a yearly basis. if not flushed, would have sludge build up in the heater core. as a result, heater core would become plugged and would not operate properly. *ak | |||
| 11/22/2002 | 72000 | 6 | 02/16/2001 |
| Re: 1999 ford taurus: vin # 1fafp53u7xa274923 my wife and i purchased a 1999 ford taurus from north point ford in north little rock, arkansas, on feb. 16, 2001. since november 2002, we have had the car at two ford dealerships and three independent repair shops trying to get the heater fixed. so far it has cost us $1,324.21. during the most recent repair, north point ford took apart the entire coolant system, flushed each component and found rust in the engine block, which they said was the source of the problem. at present, the heater is working, but we feel we are due reimbursement for the repairs. the car was still under the manufacturer's warranty when we bought it with 29,891 miles. (the contract states 28,890 as the dealer denied our request to list the correct mileage.) we purchased an extended bumper to bumper warranty at a cost of $1,733 at north point ford. the big selling point was the warranty would cover all major repairs such as the air conditioner/heater system. the warranty is handled through warrantech automotive, p.o. box 1179, bedford, tx 76095. the contract # is 14747754; the contract plan code is cv60100ukd; the selling dealer code is 718688 and the local agent code is 183. however, the warranty company has paid very little toward the repairs, claiming they are maintenance. i have located service bulletins on the intenet. among them is #01-15-6 heater core - repeated failure and #01-11-6 cooling system - corrosion/contamination/overheating. we were also told that on the 1999 tauruses, ford sent the vehicles from the factory with a highly corrosive coolant. this would explain the service bulletins on the heater core failure and coolant system corrosion. lori from the ford executive offices called aug. 5 to say ford is unwilling to help and i must take up the fight with the warranty company.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2000 | 25542 | 3 | 08/28/2000 |
| The heater core leaked previously and was replaced in 08/02. the heater core leaked again and caused fumes to enter passenger cabin.*ak ph *jb | |||
| 25542 | |||
| Heater core was previously leaking and was replaced in 08/02. heater core is now leaking again causing fumes to enter passenger cabin.*ak | |||
| 03/15/2002 | 0 | ||
| Consumer started to smell antifreeze. then found out that heater core was gone. she was told that there were repeated failures with these parts.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR | |||
| Rear hatch window blewout while vehicle was parked. reason unknown. ford has been contacted, and replaced window. *ak | |||
| 01/15/2000 | 01/01/1998 | ||
| My husband turned on the rear window defogger and the whole window shattered. *ak | |||
| 12/21/1999 | 1 | 09/07/1999 | |
| When rear window exploded without cause, causing glass fragments to enter the passenger's compartment. consumer has contacted the dealer. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| 01/24/2005 | 2000 | 1 | |
| The windshield wipers would come on and go off while driving in inclement weather. the consumer was able to drive to dealer. the mechanic informed the driver that the windshield motor needed to be replaced. please fill in additional information. *jb left back window motor fell out of window. window will not go up or down. dealership found motor was broken. *tt | |||
| 06/09/2000 | 1 | 05/01/2000 | |
| The left front window is inoperable, the dealer replaced the left rear power window motor. *slc | |||
| Malfunction occurred within the electrical system which caused power windows and power locks to operate erractically. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES - INTERIOR | |||
| 1 | 01/01/1999 | ||
| The location of the rearview mirror creates a blind spot in the windshield because it is attached too low on the windshield. nlm | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD | |||
| 11/05/2007 | 144000 | 2 | |
| I am experiencing a leak (twice) in my 1999 ford taurus lx that leaves my passenger side floor soaked and has caused me to replace my blower motor/resistor(once thus far). i do not see a specific recall related to my make and model listed on any ford site but i have become aware that this is an extremely common experience for taurus owners. this defect is being passed on to the consumer unfairly, a recall should be ordered. i paid less than us$200 for my replacement parts and labor, but i hear that ford charges upwards of $500 to fix the leak completely. if i don't have this done, i will likely be replacing parts again and/or will be exposed to mold. please act. i have been able to find others with the same problem online such as a previous complaint : 10184014 filed concerning recall 03v087000. *tr | |||
| 02/01/2001 | 35000 | 5 | 02/01/1999 |
| The dome light would come on and go off intermittently, and the alternator was replaced on 3 separate occasions. *ak the door locks would go up and down and would come on intermittently. the problem was diagnosed as a leaking windshield. *sc *jb | |||
| 04/13/2002 | |||
| A bubble has developed on front windshield and spreading. dealer and manufacturer were notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 11/01/2000 | 2 | 01/01/1999 | |
| Passenger door window inoperable. *slc | |||
| 03/12/1999 | |||
| When letting the driver's side window down a little, the window will go all the way down, and consumer has to press a button to get windows back up. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | |||
| In the early morning and evening, the light tan dashboard reflects on the windshield which may cause visual difficulty and may result in an accident. please provide further information.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| Various problems involving 1999 ford taurus station wagon.*mr the power steering made excessive noise, dealer replaced the steering rack. the vehicle front end was out of alignment. the check engine light illuminated intermittently. the dealer replaced several components to correct this occurrence. the technician removed and replaced #1 coil, replaced the spark plugs, cleared all the codes and then the vehicle ran fine. the front and rear brakes were replaced and the rotors machined. the temperature gauge malfunctioned. the technician replaced the freeze out plug and thermostat. windshield washers failed. the vehicle steering wheel was loose. the technician indicated that the vehicle needed front and rear struts, sway bar links and rear subframe bushing. when accelerating the vehicle's transmission slipped and on cold start reverse jerks into gear, dealer replaced the trans unit. the d/s door rubber on the bottom of the door was coming off. d/s seat belt would not retract. antifreeze was leaking in out the rear block. *nm | |||
| 11/17/2003 | 50 | 07/18/2003 | |
| Windshield wipers turn on without using the switch. *ak | |||
| 02/01/2002 | 27430 | 13 | |
| 1999 ford taurus is suffering from electrical problems. *mr the vehicle would shut off with no warning, the locks on both doors were off and would have to be played with to get them to open at times, the headlights were inoperative, also the dash lights were inoperative behind the gas gauge/radio/heating/ac/clock/and speedometer, the rpm gauge was delayed at start, the passenger door made noises when opened and closed, the wipers were intermittent, the turn signals were intermittent, the brake light had come on, the vehicle would not start in the morning but would start at night, the vehicle was sluggish and had poor gas mileage. the vehicle was taken in due to defective relays which were replaced. the vin# on the vehicle and the vin# on the sticker were different. *scc *jb | |||
| 04/07/2003 | 1 | ||
| The windshield wipers become inoperative while in use and obstructed the drivers view. the dealer was notified. *nlm | |||
| 06/20/2001 | 44000 | 1 | 07/01/2001 |
| Windshield wipers come on intermittently when turned off, also stop when in use. ts | |||
| 10/07/2002 | 05/01/2002 | ||
| Problems with car since day one. began with wipers turning on by themselves, spoke to mechanic, said it was nothing to worry about. then the car kept refusing to switch gears (second to third), the speedometer would quit and car died on side of road several times. along with this problem, the brakes squealed very loud. called dealer, would not help, sent me to ford dealer (dave goulds). replaced speed sensor, scraped rust off brakes and said they may continue to squeal, they do! the car picks up speed from no where, specially when coming from a stop. very scarey, refuse to let my daughter drive because of it. now the power steering is making a horrible hum and i have lost power steering on several occaisions. added fluid, the next day it looked like cocoa bubbling out. i contacted the gould ford dealership and i have to bring it in tomorrow. i am afraid to drive it and he tells me that my extended warranty most likely won't cover the repair (they didn't cover the speed sensor either). i bought this car at a local company after a severe accident, it was traumatizing to get back behind the wheel, but this car is like a rolling death trap, why isn't ford recalling them? mr | |||
| While driving along vehicle would just shut down, losing power. intermittently windshield wipers would move and other electrical functions failed. vehicle has had four alternators replaced, and vehicle was twice left stranded on side of road. please describe details. *ak | |||
| 07/05/2002 | 1 | 02/12/2000 | |
| Consumer pulled onto highway and power steering failed. vehicle was checked by dealer who determined that rack and pinion system had failed, the entire system needed to be replaced. *ak. consumer stated 2 days later the alternator failed, and the windshield wipers came on by themselves.*jb | |||
| 03/01/2001 | 0 | ||
| Lights will come on, and windshield wipers will come on without prior warning. also, door light and dome light come on. dealership is aware of problem. | |||
| 1 | |||
| Whenever driving vehicle in middle of traffic windshield wipers would come on by themselves and intermittently. this would cause drivers view to be obstructed. had taken vehicle to dealer, and was informed vehicle not included in recall, but problem could be repaired.*ak *slc | |||
| 1 | 08/16/2000 | ||
| The windshield wipers fluid does not come out.*yh | |||
| 03/28/2001 | 03/01/2001 | ||
| Foul odor in psgr compartment after eng gets hot (20 min); retd to dlr 3x, dlr=no prob found;brakes=pulsate,turned rotors;intermittent washer spray when wipers on(washer fluid not activated) =turn signal sw rplcd;broken mo mount found, dlr replcd; sway bar brkn, dlr replcd; dlr bought vehl back due to odor problem-slsman & uv mgr were wonderful, serv dept =depends on tech involved; bought 2000 tau ses fr bd ford. *ak | |||
| Windshield wipers and gauges will not turn on.bu,t 5-10 minutes later they will restart. consumer fells defect is all related to iginition. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| The windshield wiper turns on randomly while the vehicle is in motion. nlm | |||
| 06/28/1999 | |||
| While driving windshield wipers comeson/ off all by themselves regularly.contacted dealer will have them serviced. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - MOTOR | |||
| 05/20/2005 | 85000 | 600 | 04/12/1999 |
| Car: 1999 ford taurus se sedan a problem has started occuring with my front windshield wipers since oct 2004. the wipers are malfunctioning, whereby they come on intermittently even when the wiper-switch is in the off position. i took my car to my dealer ( dillon ford, 30 tolland turnpike, manchester,ct ) to have this problem examined and fixed. the dealership charged me $75.00 to examine the problem. the technicians reported that they were nto able to reproduce the problem and felt the cause of the problem might be a failed gem module. i ordered a new gem module through the dealership and had my gem module replaced. this cost me about $400.00. the replacement did not fix my problem at all. i still have in my possession my old gem module; the car has the new gem module. i took the car agian to the dealership on 05/20/2005 to have the problem fixed, however the technicians again reported that they were not able to reproduce the problem. meanwhile i still have the problem with the malfunctioning wipers, and i feel this is not only a huge irritant, but also a safety hazard. | |||
| 01/24/2005 | 2000 | 1 | |
| The windshield wipers would come on and go off while driving in inclement weather. the consumer was able to drive to dealer. the mechanic informed the driver that the windshield motor needed to be replaced. please fill in additional information. *jb left back window motor fell out of window. window will not go up or down. dealership found motor was broken. *tt | |||
| 1 | 07/01/2001 | ||
| While driving in the rain the windshield wipers malfunctioned. the windshield wiper motor was replaced and now the wipers come on by themselves. *nlm *nlm | |||
| 09/26/2002 | 1 | ||
| The windshield wiper comes on intermittenley. the dealership is aware of the problem. nlm | |||
| 09/22/2001 | 1 | 05/01/2001 | |
| While driving in inclement weather windshield wipers operate intermittently, -stopping on its own in the on position and/or starting on its own when in the off position, reducing visibility for driver. no determination has been made for the cause of this problem. *ak *tt | |||
| 04/01/1999 | 2 | 04/01/2000 | |
| While driving at lower speeds, vehicle will shift to a highr gear and give itself gas with no driver input. transmission snaps at low speed shifts, it pops and bangs. wipers activate for no reason intermittently. *slc | |||
| 11/08/1998 | |||
| The consumer has been experiencing problems with windshield wiper motor. while driving windshield wipers jammed together and stuck. the manufacturer has been contacted. *ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - SWITCH/WIRING | |||
| 03/20/2008 | 55 | 04/15/2000 | |
| Wipers come on and spray wiper fluid while the switch is in the off position. this occurs while the blinkers are switched on. they will eventually turn off by giggling the lever. not once was the wiper switch ever found in the on position. this has been a troublesome experience for years. *tr | |||
| 05/20/2005 | 85000 | 600 | 04/12/1999 |
| Car: 1999 ford taurus se sedan a problem has started occuring with my front windshield wipers since oct 2004. the wipers are malfunctioning, whereby they come on intermittently even when the wiper-switch is in the off position. i took my car to my dealer ( dillon ford, 30 tolland turnpike, manchester,ct ) to have this problem examined and fixed. the dealership charged me $75.00 to examine the problem. the technicians reported that they were nto able to reproduce the problem and felt the cause of the problem might be a failed gem module. i ordered a new gem module through the dealership and had my gem module replaced. this cost me about $400.00. the replacement did not fix my problem at all. i still have in my possession my old gem module; the car has the new gem module. i took the car agian to the dealership on 05/20/2005 to have the problem fixed, however the technicians again reported that they were not able to reproduce the problem. meanwhile i still have the problem with the malfunctioning wipers, and i feel this is not only a huge irritant, but also a safety hazard. | |||
| 05/15/2004 | 21970 | 40 | 08/19/1999 |
| When driving my car,the windshield wipers will come on periodically without being turned on.this happens while driving down a road with or without having made a turn. it has happened at least 40 times within the last year.my ford dealer says they cannot fix it under warranty because they can't make the problem happen,therefore,they can't fix it.this same problem is occurring with a 2nd 1999 taurus that i own and my son drives.pretty strange coincidence,wouldn't you say?my fear is that when i need the wipers to work someday they will fail completely and not go on at all. | |||
| 07/02/2004 | 55000 | 1 | 01/01/2002 |
| I have a 1999 ford taurus. when the windshield wiper switch is off, sometimes the windshield wipers will come on for no reason. sometimes this is just once then it will stop. sometimes it is several times in a row then it will stop. it is most prevalent during the summer, or on hotter days. although, it has even happened in cold weather. i notice that others have complained about this same problem, but as yet it appears that there is no recall on this apparent defect in the design by ford. it is clear to me that the switch tolerances do not adequately take account of expansion and contraction over the operating temperature ranges of the vehicle. the problems i describe above have been observed in sacramento, ca, which is not the worst place in the u.s. for severe temperature changes between seasons. hence, if it doesn't work in california, it probably will be a problem in more severe climate changes also. his problem occurs several times a week during the summer. ford really should do the right thing and do a recall on this issue. i am an engineer and this is clearly a design defect. if the windshield wipers were to fail to work due to this problem during inclement weather, this defect could be dangerous.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 100 | 01/15/2001 | |
| Driving down the road the winshield wipers fail at times or come on by them selves, espcially when turning nothing has been done yet to correct failure | |||
| 06/08/2000 | 1 | 06/18/2000 | |
| Windshield wipers come on for intermittently for no apparent reason. estimated cost of parts is around $150.00. i am afraid the whole switch system will go out due to excessive use and unnecessary use. this could be a potential hazard if they go out during inclimate weather. *ak | |||
| 08/30/2003 | |||
| The windshield wipers activate while the switch is in the off position. | |||
| 09/01/2000 | 29995 | 07/01/2000 | |
| Purchased '99 ford taurus from hertz dealership in july 2000. after a couple of months the windshield wipers would constantly come on when in the off position. sometimes occurs right after signal has been used but not always. will occur at random. when taken back to hertz dealership, mechanic informed me that it is a known ford manufacturing defect and must be fixed by them. when i contacted the ford dealership, they stated they would only fix the defect without charge if the mileage was under 30,000. at the time, my mileage was approximately 29,995. constant attempts to have problem resolved by ford have been unsuccessful. ford dealership stated that problem with the wiring was not supposed to be on ford cars but only on vans and trucks. request any assistance in resolving this matter since the defect is a ford factory defect that should have been addressed to ford owners by ford without penalty. should be handled without cost to loyal ford owners. *nlm | |||
| 05/01/2000 | |||
| The windshield wiper/washer controls will start the blades moving for no appearant reason. contacted the dealership, they said it is a known problem but we have to pay for the repair. the problem is in the control switch assembly whichis also the assembly for the turn signals and the head light hi/lo beam controls. estimated price of repair for this known problem is >$150. if this is a known problem, then some form of recall should be in order.*ak | |||
| 05/09/2001 | 1 | ||
| Intermittently windshield wipers are operating while switch is in off mode. dealer was notified, and informed consumer that parts were on back orders. *ak consumer states part still has not come in yet. *slc | |||