NHTSA Complaint #703881 — 1993 FORD TAURUS

THE CAR WAS OVER-HEATING BUT ICE COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF VENTS WHEN HEAT WAS DIALED UP TO THE MAX (90*F). UNDERSTANDABLY THE CAR WAS RUNNING A LITTLE IRRATICALLY (SPUTTERING & HESITATING). I OPENED CAR HOOD TO FIND ALL THE ANTIFREEZE IN THE RESERVOIR LEAKING AND READY TO EXPLODE. A LOCAL MECHANIC SAW THIS AND SAID THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IS SHOT, THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE WITHIN THE COMPRESSION SYSTEM IS NOW TRANSMITTED INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM SO ANTIFREEZE CAN'T CIRCULATE FREELY TO COOL ENGINE OR ENTER HEATING CORE TO FACILITATE HOT AIR INTO CAR (PARTICULARLY INCONVENIENT IN THE NORTHEAST ABOUT NOW) AND ALSO THE REASON IT'S NEARLY EXPLODING FROM COOLANT RESERVOIR. IT'S PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE ($1500.00) AT CARMAN FORD. MY LOCAL MECHANIC DIDN'T WAN'T TO ATTEMPT IT. HE ADMITTED THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH TAURUS'/SABLES AND AT 50000MLS, IT'S VERY PREMATURE. CARMAN FORD OF COURSE CONCURRED WITH HIS DIAGNOSIS AND WHEN I ASKED IF THEY COULD FIX IT THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY REPAIR SEVERAL A WEEK OR MONTH (I CAN'T REMEMBER, I THINK I WAS IN SHOCK). THEY WOULDN'T GUARANTEE THERE WOULD BE NO RESIDUAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, BUT IF I WANTED TO TRADE UP TO A NEW MODEL BEFORE SINKING THIS MUCH $ INTO MY OWN, THEY'D BE HAPPY TO CALL A SALESMAN NEXTDOOR. I CALLED FORD MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.