Aladdin165

Just took my 2008 Ford Taurus Limited to the dealership for a transmission leak and no power steering. I get a call back from them that the leak is coming from the chiller pump and need to be replaced for $950. Then they proceed to tell me there is no problem with the power steering. They said the car is on the lift and the technician is turning the steering wheel back and forth and there is no problem with the steering. I told him that is because the car is on the lift, drop the car and try to drive it in the parking lot. He stated that the car will be tough to turn in the parking lot because the power steering pump is working at lower RPM's in the parking lot and I would have better power steering at higher RPM's when I'm driving. First thing, I'm not an Idiot and I know the difference when I have power steering and I dont have power steering. I have been a Ford owner for 20 years and I have never had a problem with any of my other Ford's until now. I'm probably looking at over $2000 for the repairs on my newest Ford and with my 5 other Ford's I haven't paid more than $1000 for repairs (not to include the normal wear tear items) TOTAL for all the vehicles together. Called Ford customer care and the said sorry, there is nothing we can do to help, even though both problems are a known issue. I was currently looking into trading in my 2002 Ford Explorer for a new vehicle, but they have made it clear that they don't want me to own a Ford anymore. After buying 5 Vehicles from the, recommending family to buy vehicles from them, recommending Ford to people I work with in the Military, recommending Ford to my friends, I am directly responsible for 20 new Ford purchases in the past 20 years that I know of just from these people not to include my 5. It's unfortunate, but 20 years will be coming to an end.

Bert

Is there another dealer nearby that you could have them check it over? Then after you get the information there, contact Ford Customer Care. Not all dealers are like that one.

__________________
Bert

Blaine B.

Hello. I have a 2005 Montego, 2wd with the 6-speed auto. The car has around 42,950 miles, and I've been the owner for about a week.

I was driving the car today for hours at work, in stop-and-go suburban traffic, without the car turning off for hours on end.

I noticed, under moderate throttle and acceleration, the 1-2 shift produces a slight shidder right as it gets into second gear. It doesn't do this under normal grandma-style light driving, but say, accelerating to get into traffic about 1/4 to 1/2 throttle. It will shudder a bit as it gets into 2nd gear, but then the 2-3 shift will be entirely smooth. It isn't a very noticable shudder, but, I still noticed it today. Also, I notice a very slight shudder occasionally when slowing down to a stop, right around the 3-2 or 2-1 shifts. I am not exactly certain.

Does this sound like the common issue that people are experiencing?

The day I got the car, last week, I took it in to Ford for a free warranty-extension TSB for erratic idle...involved them cleaning the throttle body and flashing the PCM with a new strategy. The car really didn't have any idle problems, but I liked the idea of a newer revised tune in the engine computer. Do you know if this updates the transmission control unit at the same time, or not?

I am still getting used to the feel of this car as I have only been driving it for a week now. Also today was one of the days where I drove the car the most without turning it off, and probably alot more brisk accelerations due to crappy traffic on Valentines day.

CatSkinner

Miles are low, but she's got some time on the pond, might be worth changing the tranny fluid and filter. Any idea what the engine temps were like at the time?

__________________
Prius repellant, just add gas.

Blaine B.

Normal engine temp, if anything just barely below half on the gauge.

Trans fluid is bright red...and filled to the proper level.

My Grandparents owned this car prior to me....I know their style of driving. If anything the majority of miles on this car are highway miles. Never beat on.

I don't really care about the shudder, it isn't a big deal. I'm not complaining about that. I just hope it isn't a sign of more serious transmission problem to come in the future. Luckily it isn't the CVT. When they originally bought this car I asked my Grandfather why he didn't get the AWD...he said it's more garbage to break...and I guess he was right, at least with these cars!

R.S.LOGAN

Was it doing this prior to the visit to the Ford dealership ?

Blaine B.

It is very hard to say. I took it directly to the Ford dealership for the TSB right after I had went to get the car emissions tested and then registered and titled at the BMV the day I acquired thec ar.

I had driven the car before for my Grandparents and such, but it's one of those things that you might not notice right away...only as you get used to the feel of the car after driving it for awhile.

You know...it isn't noticable enough where you would suddenly notice it. You will notice it after driving the car for awhile and getting a feel for the different drivetrain and such.

I'm considering a trans pan drain and refill this spring/summer although it seems very early for that in terms of the mileage. No full fledged flushes for me...I've never done that on any vehicle. Just a gentle drain and refill. On my Jeep I think I did that 4 or 5 times over the course of 2 years, just to make sure all of the fluid was swapped out.

Since the fluid is very bright red, it does seem unnecessary...but who knows.