WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED A FEW MILES FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON. I SLOWED DOWN TO LOOK AROUND THE CAR BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND JUST AS I WAS DRIVING INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. VERY LUCKILY, I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACC…
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WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED A FEW MILES FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON. I SLOWED DOWN TO LOOK AROUND THE CAR BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND JUST AS I WAS DRIVING INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. VERY LUCKILY, I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE METAL REAR BRAKE LINES RUNNING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED AND ONE OF THE LINES HAD BURST (THE ONE AFFECTING THE DIAGONAL BRAKE CIRCUIT FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE). THIS CAME WITHOUT WARNING, AND I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN STRANDED (OR KILLED) ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OUT OF CONTROL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE JUSTIFYING A RECALL. AMAZINGLY, THE OTHER UNDERSIDE COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE ARE IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE THAN THE BRAKE LINES. WHY FORD WOULD FAIL TO PROPERLY COAT OR PROTECT A CRITICAL COMPONENT LIKE THE REAR BRAKE LINES SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT CORRODE IS AN INEXCUSABLE SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE READ OF THIS REAR BRAKE LINE ISSUE ELSEWHERE BEING EXTREMELY COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE, SO THIS IS NOT A "ONE OFF" EVENT. SOONER OR LATER, SOMEONE WILL GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR BE KILLED!
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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