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1997 Ford TaurusProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 770 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

34
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the Taurus median · #10 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints770117 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage72kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 15, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Ford Taurus has problems

770 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
Power train2148
Engine and engine cooling1456
Service brakes, hydraulic679
Electrical system625
Steering593
Vehicle speed control5818
Visibility570
Air bags4230
Suspension280
17 other systems18618

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

3 recalls

1997 Ford Taurus recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 98V-028 · Feb 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles

Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 97V-097 · Jun 9, 1997 · 100,000 vehicles

Risk. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 96V-166 · Sep 5, 1996 · 40,000 vehicles

Risk. UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

72kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 33 power train complaints. 61% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 18% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles20under 100k miles13100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

11 owners mentioned a cost

$2,100median

Middle half: $1,900 – $2,550

Engine and engine cooling

9 owners mentioned a cost

$4,000median

Middle half: $2,100 – $4,800

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Taurus 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 median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Ford Taurus safety ratings

1997 Ford Taurus 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Ford Taurus side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Taurus owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ON 4/3/2015 MY MOTHER IN LAW PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AFTER A 10 MILE TRIP TO TOWN. UPON PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE IMMEDIATELY, AT FIRST SHE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING (WHITE SMOKE) THEN REALIZED THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY ON FIRE (BLACK SMOKE). SHE HAD TO BE HELPED BY AN IDAHO…
Complaint 10703759 · Apr 5, 2015 · 127,700 miles
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…
Complaint 10652038 · Nov 3, 2014 · 130,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10399804 · May 10, 2011 · 136,000 miles

Own a 1997 Taurus?

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