1997 Ford Taurus: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 770 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (25% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 770 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Oil light does not come on when low. 2. Engine light always on. 3 when I was driving this winter, the brakes, they locked up on me and I almost had a collision with two other cars but I hit a curb and was able to get my car moving again. 4.car is loud while driving. 5 can't get good gas milage.6.car has developed an oil leak.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“Auto trans. Shift quad quickly became sloppy and in fact sometimes would not start in park pos. And you had to hunt for neutral where it would always start. Then on the third day, while parked overnight on private property, it did start in park, but while on a very high idle I got out of the car for a second and while standing beside the car it slipped out of park and into reverse knocking me to the ground as it rapidly sped rearward till it hit and came to rest against a concrete wall”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle failed to shift gears and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was jumpstarted. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the dealer had not been able to determine what caused the failure. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 140,000. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the a frame sheared off and landed on top of the steering box, causing steering loss. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was told that the a frame was completely rusted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 135,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated that all four coil springs failed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 4v332000 (suspension: front: coil springs) but was advised by the manufacturer that the 1999 model was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. He failure and the current mileage was 88,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated that during an inspection, the dealer diagnosed that the frame on the base was rusted, deeming the vehicle as unsafe to drive and non-repairable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 81,540. Updated 02/09/12*lj updated 03/16/12”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2011
“Clunking sound emanating from engine compartment. Took in for oil change, was told that the engine cradle ( sub-frame ) was dangerously rotted out. Cradle replaced with one without rot. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. The contact stated the transmission slipped and the rpms increased while driving at various speeds. The contact performed a diagnostic test and the failure was located within the transmission head gasket and filter. The transmission head gasket and filter were replaced. The failure was not corrected. The transmission continued to slip and the rpms increased. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000 and the current mileage was 137,777.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 64 of these complaints and injuries in 50 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Taurus 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 770 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Ford Taurus. The most complained-about area is power train (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Taurus problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Ford Taurus have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). 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.