1997 FORD TAURUS

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse, Harsh 2-3 shift or slipping between gears, Transaxle shudder during light acceleration, Complete loss of forward gears, stuck in one gear, Metal shavings in fluid, burnt smell

Fix: Internal clutch pack and valve body failure requiring full rebuild or replacement. Most shops replace outright due to labor cost. 8-12 hours labor for R&R plus rebuild time. Aftermarket reman units common. Oil cooler lines and cooler itself must be flushed or replaced to prevent repeat failure.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible leak, Oil milkshake (tan/foamy) on dipstick or under oil cap, Overheating under load or in traffic, Rough idle, misfire codes on one bank

Fix: Both heads must come off. Deck surfaces checked for warpage (often need resurfacing). Replace gaskets, timing cover gasket, valve cover gaskets, all coolant hoses while you're in there. 14-18 hours labor. Do the water pump and thermostat at same time or regret it later.

Estimated cost: $1,800-2,900

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Pink/red fluid puddle under front of car, Transmission fluid level dropping steadily, Rust visible on steel cooler lines near radiator, Fluid spraying onto subframe during driving

Fix: Steel lines rust through where they pass frame rails and attach to radiator-mounted cooler. Replace both lines as a set (one will follow the other). Some techs retrofit braided stainless aftermarket lines. 2-3 hours labor. Flush system if contamination suspected.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Steering wheel off-center after hitting pothole, Vibration during acceleration or braking, Visible cracking or separation of rubber bushings

Fix: Rubber mounts connecting subframe to unibody rot out, allowing subframe to shift. Requires lifting engine/transaxle slightly to access and replace mounts. 4-6 hours labor. Alignment mandatory after. Often discovered during strut or control arm replacement.

Estimated cost: $600-1,100

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant smell in cabin with heat on, Slow coolant loss, no visible external leak, Slight coolant residue on lower intake runners, Rough cold idle that smooths when warm

Fix: Upper and lower intake manifold gaskets leak internally, allowing coolant into ports or externally down block. Not catastrophic like head gaskets but progressively worsens. 5-7 hours labor to remove plenum, upper/lower manifolds, replace all gaskets and seals. Do throttle body gasket and PCV valve while in there.

Estimated cost: $650-1,200

Symptoms: Key won't turn in ignition, Ignition switch stuck between positions, No crank, no dash lights when key turned, Steering wheel lock won't release, Key stuck in ignition, won't come out

Fix: Ignition lock cylinder tumblers wear or switch contacts fail. Sometimes fixed with graphite lube and wiggling wheel, but usually needs lock cylinder or switch replacement. 1.5-3 hours labor depending on whether you're doing lock cylinder (steering wheel removal required) or just the switch.

Estimated cost: $250-550

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: No start, cranks but won't fire, Sputtering/stumbling under acceleration, Stalling when fuel tank below 1/4 full, Whining noise from rear seat area, Loss of power uphill or when hot

Fix: In-tank pump wears out, especially if owners run tank low frequently. Requires dropping fuel tank or removing rear seat and cutting access panel. 2.5-4 hours labor. Replace fuel filter at same time (it's overdue anyway). Use OEM or quality aftermarket (Bosch, Delphi) — cheap pumps fail fast.

Estimated cost: $450-850