IllustrationMileage unknown · Oct 21, 2000
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, AirCrashInjury
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #734866
1997 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Taurus years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Taurus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 136 of 770 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 214 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
64 crash reports12 fire reports41 injury reports
Power Train complaints
214 reportsNO SUMMARY
NO SUMMARY
TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPED FOR 30SECONDS TO A MINUTES BEFORE ENGAGING
AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE. *SLC
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN WHEN YOU MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED OF APPROX. 60 MILES AN HOUR. THE WHOLE CAR JERKS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER TO THE CAR TURNS OFF IT IS SUCH A HARD SHIFT. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM AT 32,000 MILES TO JIM SKINNER FORD. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, "TAURUS'S D…
Read full complaint
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP AND DOWN WHEN YOU MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED OF APPROX. 60 MILES AN HOUR. THE WHOLE CAR JERKS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER TO THE CAR TURNS OFF IT IS SUCH A HARD SHIFT. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM AT 32,000 MILES TO JIM SKINNER FORD. THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, "TAURUS'S DO THAT". IT ALSO JERKS REALLY HARD WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE BUT THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL ALSO. PERIODICALLY, WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP IT SURGES FORWARD. *AK
THE CAR BARELY MOVES, IF AT ALL, WHEN IN ANY GEAR. TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A LOUD BUZZING NOISE. FLUID WAS CHECKED AND IS NOT LOW. *AK
BEARINGS FAILED. NLM
SERVICE BULLETIN 98-3-7: INTERMITTENT NEUTRAL CONDITION - NO WARRANTY COVERAGE EVEN THOUGH FORD HAS UPGRADED THE PART. DEALER QUOTE WAS $2500. TRANSMISSION SHOP UPGRADED FOR $1500. *AK
TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYIC CONVERTER. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 97V097000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FORD TAURUS MFR. NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT..
Official recalls
398V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Feb 10, 1998
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
97V097000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Jun 9, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
96V166000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Sep 5, 1996
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.