Transmission Trouble

My dad owns a 1997 Taurus with the Duratech engine in it and has been experincing multiple problems with the tranny, First it wouldent go into Overdrive took it in got it fixed ($2000) then about a month later 1st gear stopped working, (another $2000) leaving me in a couple dangerous situations, such as when it cut out (it did this at random) when I was crossing the highway, has anyone else experinced these problems?

Man! that's like the most typical thing on a taurus to break, and you will never fix it right because the Ford mechanics don't know how, sell that monster before you dig yourself into a financial hole!