NHTSA Complaint #10502018 — 2003 FORD TAURUS

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO MOVE IN ANY GEAR. I ALSO NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE ROAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME LATER THAT DAY AND TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. I WAS GIVEN 2 OPTIONS, HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT INTO THE CAR OR HAVE MINE REBUILT. THIS WOULD INCLUDE REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND A CHAIN IN THE TRANSMISSION SHAFT THAT WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR. I CHOOSE TO HAVE IT REBUILT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON FORD WINDSTAR'S FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HE TOLD ME THAT THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER WERE ALSO IN MY FORD TAURUS. I HAVE OWNED AND OPERATED SEVERAL VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE FORD MOTOR CO. WITH MORE THAN 100,000 MILES ON THEM AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD. *TR