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The case of the noisy Taurus

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By James D. Halderman, Straight talk Updated 4:43 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Wheels: Carol writes by e-mail: “I have been searching for a good used car to drive back and forth to work. I have found there is not a lot to choose from within my price range with low miles. I prefer a five-star crash rating and not a smaller vehicle.

I test-drove a 2003 Ford Taurus SEL last night with less than 43,000 miles. There were no vibrations, and pick up was fine. I am confused with the front power windows, driver and passenger side. They both were noisy and groaned when going up. It was like they were out of sync and I am wondering why would it be both windows. The outside mirrors were noisy also. Is this a common thing with this model year of the Taurus?

I test drove a 2006 several weeks ago, and the windows were not an issue. Both back windows worked fine on the 2003 Taurus.

I am seriously thinking of purchasing this car, but they are aware the windows must be corrected or I will not purchase.

It’s a fine-looking car, but I do not want a continuous headache to deal with. I have to badge in/out of my garage at work, so this is probably more of an issue with me than someone that does not want his/her hair messed up and never opens the windows.”

Halderman: The front window problem is not common and indicates to me that the vehicle may have been involved in an accident and repaired. Sometimes panels and doors do not fit right or there was some hidden damage that was not spotted during the repair process. I suggest that you have the car checked over by a professional before purchasing.

It has been my experience that for every fault you find before you buy a vehicle, you will find that number of additional faults after you have purchased it. Therefore, I think the best thing to do is keep looking.

Wheels: What are some things to look for when looking at a used vehicle to purchase?

Halderman: Look at the following items:

• Check everything. Do what Carol did and open and close all of the windows and doors.

• Check all of the accessories to make sure they work OK including the radio, wipers and air conditioning.

• Check the trunk to see if it is clean. A trunk that has a lot of “stuff” and is dirty could indicate that the rest of the vehicle has not been well maintained.

• Look down the side of the vehicle. If it is wavy, this can indicate that it was involved in a serious accident.

• Always ask a professional technician to look over the vehicle before purchasing.

James D. Halderman is an ASE-certified master technician, a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the author of 12 textbooks. Submit your automotive care questions to Halderman via e-mail  at jhalderman2@juno.com, or write him in care of: Wheels, Marketing Publications Department, Dayton Daily News, 1611 S. Main St., Dayton OH 45409.

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