NHTSA Complaint #10110477 — 2003 FORD TAURUS

AT ABOUT 8000 MILES I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TAURUS WHEN I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SMELL. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF TO LISTEN TO MY VEHICLE. THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS CONTINUALLY TURNING OVER WHILE RUNNING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVED THE KEYS, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. I PULLED MY BABY FROM THE VEHICLE AND RAN. SMOKE WAS POURING FROM HOOD. THE MECHANIC SAID THE SOLENOID SHORTED INTERNALLY CAUSING STARTER TO ENGAGE. WE HAVE SINCE HAD MANY STARTING PROBLEMS. RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE 11TH DAY IN ROW.THEY ARE ON THE SIXTH ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WILL CRANK, BUT NOT START. THE SECOND TRY IT WILL THEN SPUTTER AND START. THEY HAVE EVEN REPLACED THE COMPUTER AND THAT DID NOT FIX IT. ALSO THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 22,500 MILES DUE TO VIGOROUS SHAKING. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD START TO VIBRATE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. AT 75 ON THE INTERSTATE THE FRONT OF THE CAR WOULD SHAKE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN QUIT FOR 30 SECONDS. THIS ROUTINE CONTINUED THROUGH OUT THE TRIP. *JB