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
What owners actually said
770 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2001
Visibility
THE ORIGINAL DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED AUGUST 3,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON AUGUST 25,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 26,2000.THE FIRST REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH 45,431 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY TURNPIKE FORD OF GALLIPOLIS,OHIO.I HAVE TO THINK THAT THE…
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THE ORIGINAL DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED AUGUST 3,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON AUGUST 25,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 26,2000.THE FIRST REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH 45,431 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY TURNPIKE FORD OF GALLIPOLIS,OHIO.I HAVE TO THINK THAT THEIR IS ANOTHER PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #747310
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 25MPH. PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BROKE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #890901
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
SAND FROM CASTING PROCESS IS INSIDE COOLING SYSTEM. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #890742
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SIDE STREET, AND THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED ON SIDE OF ROAD, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT OTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.WHENEVER THE ALTERNATOR GETS WET THE LIGHT GOMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTRO…
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CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SIDE STREET, AND THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED ON SIDE OF ROAD, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT OTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.WHENEVER THE ALTERNATOR GETS WET THE LIGHT GOMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #890428
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. FELT LIKE BEING REARENDED. FINALLY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED BY MECHANIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING NON REPAIRABLE.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #890401
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2001
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS FAILING/TIMING IS OFF/NEEDS NEW MOTOR PER MY MECHANIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746740
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2001
Structure
BOTTOM OF TRUNK LID RUSTING/PAINT BUBBLING/FORD NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746739
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
I NOTICES THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. I TOO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH BROWN RUSTED COOLENT THAT CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT IT WILL COST APROXIMATLY $5000.00 TO REPAIR. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE ENGIN, RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, WATER PUMP, ETC. THE SERVICE MANGER AT THE DEALER …
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I NOTICES THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. I TOO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH BROWN RUSTED COOLENT THAT CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT IT WILL COST APROXIMATLY $5000.00 TO REPAIR. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE ENGIN, RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, WATER PUMP, ETC. THE SERVICE MANGER AT THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY POOR COOLING SYSTEM DESIGN THAT CAUSES A RUST BUILD UP AND THE EVENTUAL BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH MANY ACCOUNTS LISTED ON THE NHTSA, I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION AND THE POSSIBLE RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER (FORD).
NHTSA ODI #746681
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM: WHEN CAR COMES TO A STOP THE CLUTCH CAN DISENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE GAS IS APPLIED, IT VARIES IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE CAR WILL RE-ENGAGE AND WILL ABRUBTLY LURCH FORWARD. THIS RESULTS IN UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHICH CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. I WAS ADVISED BY…
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SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM: WHEN CAR COMES TO A STOP THE CLUTCH CAN DISENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE GAS IS APPLIED, IT VARIES IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE CAR WILL RE-ENGAGE AND WILL ABRUBTLY LURCH FORWARD. THIS RESULTS IN UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHICH CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. I WAS ADVISED BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON COLLAPSES AND REQUIRES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT OR SOMETIMES REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN CORRECTED IN LATER MODELS BUT PREVIOUS MODELS WILL NOT BE FIXED UNLESS REQUESTED BY THE OWNER AT HIS OR HER EXPENSE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE SEVERAL STORIES ON THE INTERNET OF THE SAME FAILURES WITH FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSIONS AT VARYING MILEAGE LEVELS, ONE AS LITTLE AS 40,000. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LOSS OF ENGAGEMENT OR UNPREDICTABLE RE-ENGAGEMENT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #745951
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Power Train
97 V 097 000/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SLC
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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