NHTSA Complaint #10364106 — 2004 FORD TAURUS

I HAVE BEEN A FORD EMPLOYEE FOR 17 YEARS AND HAVE FOLLOWED ALL MAINTENANCE ON MY 2004 FORD TAURUS SE 3.0 LITER VULCAN 2-VALVE BETTER THAN THE DEALER WOULD. IT HAS 138,000 VERY EASY DRIVEN MILES ON IT. I LIVE ABOUT 35 MILE FROM THE PLANT ONE WAY. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SERVICED BY ME WITH ALL FORD PARTS, FLUIDS, ETC. NO WARNING, NO CODES FROM SNAP-ON SCANNER, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF MY WIFE WAS PULLING ACROSS THREE LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSAXLE JUST LET GO. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS AT ALL. CAR ONLY HAD A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT 45-60MPH ON ACCELERATION FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. IT WAS VERY SLIGHT AND YOU COULD ONLY FEEL IT IN THE SEAT OF YOUR PANTS. SHE WAS ALMOST T-BONED BY A SUPER-DUTY TRUCK WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH HER. I HAVE SEEN ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE NOT AS LUCKY NOT TO BE HIT BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT DROP THE POWERTRAIN POD AS FORD CALLS THEM TO CHECK WHAT BROKE. I WOULD BET A MONTHS PAY IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE SAME ISSUES I HAVE READ AND BEEN ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THEM. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE QUALITY REP HERE AT OUR PLANT AND HE DID CONTACT FORD BUT THEY TELL ME THEY HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH OF THESE GO OUT TO PLACE A RECALL ON THEM OR ENOUGH PEOPLE HURT OR KILLED. THAT IS THE MOST UNSAFE FAILURE I HAVE EVER SEEN IN A CAR OF ANY TYPE. I AM A PRODUCT EVALUATOR FOR FORD AND TEST DRIVE NEW SUPER-DUTYS EVERYDAY. I KNOW THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND FORD KNOWS !!!! THAT IS WHY FORD ONLY COVERS THEM UNDER A 36,000 MILE WARRANTY UNLESS YOU PAY AN EXTRA 2500 FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE TO GET HURT OR WORSE BEFORE THIS ISSUE GET RESOLVED OR RECALLED. THEY HAVE KNOWN FOR AWHILE. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER WORKERS AT MY PLANT FROM ATLANTA, GA WHERE THEY DID BUILD THEM UNTIL THE JUNK START POURING DOWN THE ASSEMBLY LINE. 3500 FOR A NEW TRANS. *TR