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1997 Ford Taurus SHOProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints303 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 19, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO has problems

30 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling230
Power train31
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Suspension20
Vehicle speed control21
Electrical system22
Exterior lighting11
Engine11
Air bags11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Ford Taurus SHO recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Taurus SHO year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Taurus SHO median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Taurus SHO owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997 FORD TAURUS SHO FORD (FMC) HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IN WRITING THAT THE PROBLEM IS MANUFACTURER RELATED, WHICH STEMS FROM THE YAMAHA MANUFACTURED ENGINE USED IN SHO MODELS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROUGH IDLE AFTER 20 MINS. ON THE ROAD, SHAKE AGGRESSIVELY, THEN SHUT-OFF FOR DAYS AT A…
Complaint 10234823 · Jul 18, 2008 · 77,126 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND WENT OUT IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS ALSO SMOKE COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. UNDER THE HOOD, COOLANT WAS OBSERVED LEAKING AND THE TIMING CHAIN BRACKET WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WOULD START WHEN…
Complaint 10168752 · Sep 20, 2006 · 124,851 miles
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
Complaint 10138557 · Oct 4, 2005 · 105,000 miles

Own a 1997 Taurus SHO?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.