1997 Ford Taurus SHO: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (73% of complaints); the 1995 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Accelerated as normal to 30mph, released the accelerator pedal, and the car kept accelerating up to at least 50mph. Failed to steer 90 degrees left, resulting in the car jumping the curb. Lost control in damp grass, and ran into a tree. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford sho taurus. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph in reverse when the front coil spring broke and shredded the tire. The contact stated that a recall for the 1998 to 2001 ford taurus is directly related to the failure. The failure mileage was 139000. Updated 02/02/10. *lj updated 02/05/10.*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2010
“1. Driving at city traffic speeds (25-30 mph) in philadelphia. Car lost power and stalled. Upon restart would immediately stall when idle. 2. Would not stay running, towed to ford dealership 3. Informed by ford dealer that the camshafts were bent and I needed a replacement engine for $13,000.00. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“There was a chain like ticking noise coming from the engine, I as a technician observed it to be a camshaft getting ready to fail, when it failed my pregnant wife was driving luckily on a side road where the vehicle had lost all power and making it nearly impossible to steer, now the 1997 sho just sits b/c I can not afford the expensive repairs! Especially with a baby on the way. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2005
“There is a electrical problem with the 1997 ford taures. I replaced the fuse for my power windows & now my dash lights & tail lights don't work. I was looking at the lights & the socket in which the bulbs go are burned. Motor caught slight fire but can't find the electrical problem.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2005
“My car caught on fire . It was parked at 8 p.m on sat 2/05/04 and at around 4 a.m 0n 2-06-05 I look out the window and my car was engulfed in fire the fire started in the front and worked its way towards the back. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2005
“The service engine light stays on has been on for few months. Car seems to run ok but can not get car inspected because of the service engine light. Took the car to auto zone they did a diagnosis and said there where two codes that came up as a failure. I read on your web site that there had been a recall in dec. 2001 on the diagnostic system upgrade. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2005
“Consumer noticed that while engine was idling vehicle stalled. Consumer restarted the vehicle and returned to normal driving. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004
“1997 ford sho tauras. This car quit on my wife in the middle of the interstate,no power no where.there was cars sliding,honking horn etc.to keep from hitting or causing serious damage to her.I wasn,t concern about the car,but she could have been hurt.this issue is very dangerous and costly.someone needs to step in and take these cars off the highway,before its to late.my car is sitting in the garage dripping oil every where.cost to much to fix to much to sell.just have little over 70000 miles.if anyone needs a car to look at I,ve got one.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2003
“Bought a 97 taurus sho and 2 months after I got it the gear on the canshaft broke and now I am going to have to pay thousands of dollars to get it fixed. (it is a defect that ford needs to fix).”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
How other years compare
Check your exact Taurus SHO by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (73% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Taurus SHO problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.