IllustrationFRT AND REAR SPRINGS ON MY 97 FORD TAURUS BROKE PREMATURE. *TR
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
What owners actually said
770 reportsFORD HAS NOT INCLUDED THE 97 TAURUS WAGON-WE HAVE IN THE FRONT END ET. MOTOR CRADLE, FRAME FAILURE, IN THE RECALL, THEY HAVE YEARS BOTH SIDES. I HAVE LOST ALL TRADE IN VALUE ON THIS VEH. AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS, HAD IT NOT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY-- THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES FAILED AND THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN, IF TH…
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FORD HAS NOT INCLUDED THE 97 TAURUS WAGON-WE HAVE IN THE FRONT END ET. MOTOR CRADLE, FRAME FAILURE, IN THE RECALL, THEY HAVE YEARS BOTH SIDES. I HAVE LOST ALL TRADE IN VALUE ON THIS VEH. AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS, HAD IT NOT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY-- THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES FAILED AND THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN, IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE OPEN ROAD IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER/ STEERING WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE-- THEY ARE GETTING AWAY WITH THIS, JUST BY LIMITING THE YEARS COVERED-- IT IS HAPPENING TO ALL TAURUS' WITH THE SAME FRONT FRAME PROB. IT HAS COST ME A VERY GOOD CAR WITH ONLY 80K MILES ON IT, AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A TRADE ON A NEW VEH. I STILL HAVE THE CAR IN MY YARD FOR INSPECTION, IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED,WHICH I DOUBT. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET AN ATTORNEY TO FIGHT THIS, AND I THINK THERE ARE MANY OTHER USERS IN THE SAME BOAT- POSS. SOME OF THEM INJURED IN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS, YOU HAVE MY E-MAIL IF ANOTHER QUESTIONS NEED CLARIFYING THANKS *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION BUTTON WHICH STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION BUTTON WHICH STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,469. UPDATED 05/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/12/10*JB
THE PLASTIC OVERFLOW BOTTLE FROM THE RADIATOR KEEPS FAILING. I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS,WAS TOLD AT PARTS STORE THEY SELL ABOUT 5 A MONTH BETWEEN THE FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE,IT IS GETTING COSTLY AND FORD HAS NO ANSWER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH THE CAM SHAFT FAIL. THE CAM SHAFT SLIPPED INTO THE MOTOR WHERE EVERYTHING JUST SHUTS DOWN. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH THE CAM SHAFT FAIL. THE CAM SHAFT SLIPPED INTO THE MOTOR WHERE EVERYTHING JUST SHUTS DOWN. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
I HAVE A 97 FORD TAURUS GL. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE BURNED RAPIDLY. MY FAMILY JUST MADE IT OUT OF THE CAR. I MANAGED TO GET IT AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. THE HOUSE SUFFERED SOME HEAT DAMAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS . DURING BRAKE APPLICATION AT 25 MPH THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC FROM A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90000.
1997 FORD TAURUS (1996-2005+) BRAKE LINE FAILURE. THE BRAKE LINES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR HAVE A CORROSION PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, UNDER THE CAR. THE LINES CORRODE SEVERELY AND THEN BURST UNDER PRESSURE. ALL BRAKING IS LOST AFTER THE FLUID LEAKS OUT. STEEL LINES WERE NOT PROTECTED FROM MOISTURE AND HAVE PLASTIC SHIELD THA…
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1997 FORD TAURUS (1996-2005+) BRAKE LINE FAILURE. THE BRAKE LINES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR HAVE A CORROSION PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, UNDER THE CAR. THE LINES CORRODE SEVERELY AND THEN BURST UNDER PRESSURE. ALL BRAKING IS LOST AFTER THE FLUID LEAKS OUT. STEEL LINES WERE NOT PROTECTED FROM MOISTURE AND HAVE PLASTIC SHIELD THAT TRAPS WATER. *TR
THE GEAR WON'T GO INTO PARK. WHEN ITS PLACED IN PARK THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO MOVE. I HAD TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. NO INJURIES WERE CAUSE OR THE POLICE WEREN'T CALLED. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND ITS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
MY DOOR SWITCHES IN MY 97 FORD TAURUS NEED REPLACED AGAIN. I HAD ALL 4 REPLACED 3 YEARS AGO AND THEY KEEP LEAVING THE DOME LIGHT ON AGAIN. HAVING THE DOME LIGHT ON AT NIGHT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE. I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING OR HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO IT. *TR
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.