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

146,000 miles · Nov 13, 2003

Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. POLICE INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10047902

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2003

Seat Belts

THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKS IN PLACE WHICH ENABLES THE PASSENGER TO PULL IT OUT. THE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10047841

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2003

Tires

FIRESTONE P205/65R15 PEELED AND SHREDDED ON THE REAR OF MY 1997 FORD, TAURUS AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10046025

25,229 miles · Oct 26, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

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VEHICLE HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH COOLING AND HEATING SYSTEM.*MR FIVE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE HEATER BECAME DEFECTIVE. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR CONSUMER ABSORBED NOT COST. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES OVER THE PAST YEARS. THE EPISODE BECAME MORE UNSAFE AND EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. ON JULY 26,2003 THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR SPRUNG A LEAK. CONSUMER STATED FORD SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE GIVEN ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A BIG DISCOUNT PRICE IN 1999. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10044849

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2003

Fuel System, Other

FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCHES OFF BY ITSELF FOR UNKNOWN REASON WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SWITCH SHOULD ONLY OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044651

130,000 miles · Sep 26, 2003

Electrical System

HEADLIGHTS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING HEADLIGHT PLUG MELTS FROM OVERHEATING AND ELECTRICAL CONTACT IS LOST CAUSING LIGHTS TO GO OUT

NHTSA ODI #10039600

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FOR REPAIRS PERFORMED ON DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. *MR THERE WAS ONE FRONT TIRE SEPARATION WITH A KNOT, AND THE RADIATOR WAS INOPERATIVE. (BRIDGESTONE WEATHERIZER) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10040002

60,000 miles · Sep 10, 2003

Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT TURN OFF WITH BRAKE OR OFF BUTTON. ENGINE CONTINUES TO TRY TO MAKE THE CAR GO 65 MPH WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE. HAVE NOT USED CRUISE CONTROL SINCE ORIGINAL INCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10037581

90,000 miles · Aug 22, 2003

Electrical System

THE TURN SIGNALS AND FLASHERS WERE INOPERATIVE. *AK THE DEALER FOUND BOTH FUSES PULLED AND FLASHERS DISCONNECTED. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10030188

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2003

Fuel System, Gasoline

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19'97 TAURUS, LIKE MANY OF THE FORD & OTHER PRODUCT LINES, HAVE THE GAS FILLER PIPE ON THE STARBOARD SIDE. WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE TO SELF-SERVE, THIS ?!@#$% ARRANGEMENT GENERATES CONFUSION IN BUSY SERVICE STATIONS LEADING TO A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR FUEL SPILLS AND FIRES. ALL CARS, EVEN IF THEY THINK THE EUROPEAN LOCATION IS "CUTE" SHOULD BE MANDATED TO HAVE FUEL FILL PIPE LOCATION ON THE PORT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. REDUCE CONFUSION. INCREASE SAFETY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032821

Official recalls

98V028000 · 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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.