Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
May 2016 I was driving my car and it felt like the transmission was slipping and the speedometer was all out of whack, the RPM's were going higher as I stepped on the gas pedal. I had the transmission replaced, the car has had more problems and was broke down for almost the remainder of the year. Dec. 2016 had a new starter, power steering pulley, and serpentine belt replaced. Car ran great for 3 days then the speedometer wasn't working and felt like the transmission is slipping or completely going out. I can't afford to repair this car I just finished paying off the $900 transmission job, plus I am still paying on the car! I am a single mother on disability with no money for repairs or another car. Please help.
Was driving and all of a sudden the speedometer started jumping around, when I stepped on the gas the RPM's reved up high. I stopped at the stop sign and the car accelerated by itself into the intersection I came close to hitting another car! I have had the vehicle speed sensor replaced twice already and the transmission replaced . As I was driving it home the car hesitated in the intersection then jerked you can feel the pulsing of the car as it accelerates and deaccelerates. It is a safety hazzard
The consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood while driving at 45 MPH. The hood then burst into flames. The fire burnt through the paint on the hood, melted the front tire, dashboard and other front end components. The fire department hasn't identified the cause of the fire. The consumer feels it May be related to the recall 98V288000 for the transmission oil cooler line. The VIN number is outside the remedy scope.
Since we purchased the car new it has lurched forward when being started. The transmission has had a hard time shifting, reving the engine up, then jumping into gear. We have had it back to the dealer several times for various problems. Recently the transmission has been making noise and shifting badly. On a trip we found that it was low on transmission fluid although it hadn't leaked. We replaced the fluid and started driving home, checking the fluid several times. We looked in the reaarview mirror at one point and saw smoke coming out the back. Fluid had leaked on the engine and exhaust. We also discovered small drops of fluid on the back bumper of the car. When we got home, we parked the car, still no leak when sitting still. I backed the car up to take it to the dealer to be checked but when I put it in drive it won't engage in any forward gears. …
Dt: consumer called in regard to a recall 04m04 he received in 08-2004 regarding corroded coil springs, causing a ruptured tire which could result in an accident. The remedy was to make a shield and to notify customers when this shield was ready. On 12-30-04, vehicle was in an accident but no one was injured. He had the coil springs replaced. In 1-05, consumer received another recall #04s17, explaining the delay in getting these shields prepared. In 05-2005, he received a letter stating the parts were available. He contacted the dealer who said they would not fix the recall. Ford said they would not pay for it either. Neither would reimburse him for the repair work he already had done. Also, transmission on went out after the coil springs were replaced. He felt that transmission problem was due to the accident that occurred in 2004.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. At 43,400 miles, the automatic transmission was rebuilt at the cost of $1,400. Within a year, it had to be rebuilt a second time at no charge. On September 22, 2008, the transmission was rebuilt for the third time at 53,600 miles. The repair shop stated that the transmission was defective and needed to be completely replaced. While driving various speeds, the transmission skips second gear and the vehicle jerks often. The contact does not drive on the highway, only in town. She noticed that the vehicle is at 5,000 RPM when driving. The accelerator pedal is extended to the floor, but the vehicle only accelerates between 5-10 MPH. The vehicle speed sensor also had to be replaced. The contact retrieved her vehicle from the repair shop on September 24, 2008. The failure mileage was 56,408.
The transmission on my 1999 Ford Taurus gave way unexpectedly while I was driving the car down my road. It just stopped right in the middle of the road. If I had been going at a high rate of speed on a major highway, this could have caused an accident. There had been no warning sounds or lights to indicate that there was any kind of problem . I had to have the car towed to aamco for transmission work, and paid $2200.00 in repair costs. I also damaged the front end of my car and my fence trying to roll the car into my driveway to get it out of the line of traffic.
While turning into a parking place at the movie theater, the car suddenly seemed to have slipped into neutral gear, even though the gear indicator did not move from the drive position. I tried to change into reverse and drive and low gears but the car did not move. I had to have it towed and ended up needing $2,000 worth of transmission repairs. I bought the car(used-one previous owner) in aug 2001 and I still have an auto loan which I am paying, so this bill has devastated me. I have had several "major" problems with the car, but this was the worst.
I was going down he interstate with my 3 kids when my car stopped accelerating. It acted like it was in neutral, the engine was running and the RPM's would go up when I pressed on the gas pedal but it wouldn't accelerate anymore. I had to merge over 3 lanes of interstate traffic to get to the shoulder and luckily got to stop before we went over a bridge! I had it towed to a shop and they just called to tell me it is the torque converter and they just replaced one a few weeks ago. I looked online and this seems to be a common problem with this car.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. While decelerating to 25 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle would change gears and drive in reverse, but it would not drive forward. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic and he stated that there was internal transmission failure (code p0401egr) and suggested that the transmission be overhauled for $2,500. There were no warning indicators present before the transmission failed. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equpped with the "california" emissions package. An incorrect transmission oil cooler line was installed. The line contacts the anti-lock braking system module support bracket and over time, can wear and develop a leak.
Remedy: Dealers will install the appropriate transmission oil cooler line.
Transmission complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Ford Taurus, 10% of the model year's 874 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (71 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Taurus transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-288 (cooling unit and lines, Nov 9, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Taurus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.