Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the service engine soon light illuminated on the instrument panel. A mechanic replaced the oxygen sensor; however, the light still illuminated. The contact was informed that there was a misfire on the #6 cylinder. In addition, there was a lot of smoke when the vehicle was started. He took the vehicle to a mechanic and they stated that the possible cause of the failure was antifreeze entering the motor. The mechanic also suggested that there was a potential issue with the head gasket, which would cost between $1,500-$2,500 to repair. Also, the vehicle would not decelerate if the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal; therefore, he would have to apply the brakes instead. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle would coast due to the cruise control. …
My ac unit blew out and stopped working this summer, now that it is rainy season there is a puddle of water on the floor of my front passenger seat. Other people have had this issue call ref number: 03V087000. Complaint number: 10184014. I am not sure what they have done but it rains in washington state and my car is going to stink. The ac unit just up and stopped working, and the puddle of water only shows up when it is raining. I am unclear if this puddle gets bigger why driving but I would assume that as long as there is rain falling on the vehicle, that it is getting into the car.
I owned a 1999 Taurus and drove it for approximately seven years without major problems. I performed the normal maintenance on the vehicle and it was in good working order. On septebmer 20, 2006 the vehicle caught on fire. The car was parked in front of my house. The source of the fire appeared to be the front right area of the engine component. The vehicle is completely destroyed and is now in a junk yard. The local fire department was called to the scene and put the fire out. There were no injuries, and minor damage to the grass due to the heat of the fire.
Tl* the contact's friend owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. While driving various speeds, the contact's friend heard knocking noises coming from the engine compartment. The contact was unaware if there were any warning indicators illuminated. The contact's friend took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, but the failure continued. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 187,000.
Dt: the contact has a 1999 Ford Taurus and has had consistent problems with the car since it was bought new. She has been complaining for the last 48,000 miles for the same things. Most recently last week she took vehicle to the dealer for a leak in the master cylinder, which they repaired. . They cleaned the hubs. She had to push the brakes all the way to get the car to stop. They replaced brake booster, machined rotors, and put new brake pads on. At 1,700 miles had to take vehicle to dealer for a noise she from the brakes. They cleaned the hubs. At 22,466 brakes and serpentine belt were checked. They put a new serpentine belt on at 22,500 miles. Also, had multiple electrical problems with the car. 4 multifunction switches were replaced. In addition, a head lamp control switch was replaced at 17,000 mile, and a new radio put in. The A/C had alo bee worked on twice.
This vehicles has a cooling system problem. The vehicle is known by Ford to have a problem and nothing has been done to correct the defect. My vehicle is a 1999 Ford Taurus which developed heating problems last year. Today it was learned that the vehicles cooling system is plugged with a rust type mixture and it is unable to be cleared without replacing the radiator and tearing down the engine to clean it out. Apparently Ford has known about the problem and has basically admitted they have a cooling system problem covering several years. It will cost several thousand dollars to fix this problem which is not an option at this time. I would like to see Ford admit they have a problem and rectify the situation.
I was on vacation when my car lost acceleration I pulled up to the stop sign where my car was smoking, drove to the nearest mechanic to find out I had a blown gasket. My temp light never went on and its functioning. The mechanic there told me this was a known Ford problem. I called my own mechanic when I got back home and he told me the same thing. I just got done paying for my car when this happened. I called Ford and they told me there was nothing I could do. After reading so many complaint's why isn't Ford doing anything with this problem. I had to go and buy and new car which I cant afford. Needless to say it wasn't a Ford I bought.
I have a 1999 Ford Taurus with a blown head gasket. It seems to me that the Ford motor co. Knew all along this was a problem. I took my car in to get the thermostat replaced because I did not have any heat. I get the call the next day that I have a blown head gasket. I have an autistic daughter and my mother who has rheumatoid arthritis that I need to use this car to take to doctor appts. And such. I can not afford to fix this problem, an $1100.00 problem, nor can I afford to go out and buy another car. I am upset, angry, hurt, and other emotions I cannot describe. Is there anything I can do or a class action lawsuit I can contact?
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated constantly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that there was corrosion build-up that had to be flushed and drained. The repair was done at that time. A few months later, the defroster became defective and the failure occurred again. The contact called the dealership and was informed that she would be charged for a diagnostic test as the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The current mileage was approximately 54,000.
I noticed problems with my air and heat in my 1999 Ford Taurus. When I took it to a mechanic, I was told that a freeze plug on my engine had rusted through, and antifreeze was leaking out of the car. I spent a little over $200 to replace the freeze plug (mostly labor charges). Two months later, my air conditioner stopped working again, so I checked on the antifreeze level, and it was again empty. The mechanic told me that another freeze plug had failed, and he estimated it would be between $250 and $450 to replace it. I do have the first freeze plug; the second has not been replaced yet.
Engine complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Ford Taurus, 9% of the model year's 874 complaints. The component named most often is engine (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Taurus engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Ford Taurus, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Taurus engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.