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 · May 23, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE FREEWAY DRIVING, THE CAR DIED. NO WARNING LIGHTSOR ANY OTHER VISABLE PROBLEMS. TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER AND WERE TOLD THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND COULD HAVE ANOTHER FOR 5,500.00. TOWED THE CAR HOME AND FOUND THE COOLING RESIVORE WAS CRACKED AND HAD EMPITIED ALL COOLENT. WE FIND FROM FORD MOTORS THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM, AND…
Read full complaint
WHILE FREEWAY DRIVING, THE CAR DIED. NO WARNING LIGHTSOR ANY OTHER VISABLE PROBLEMS. TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER AND WERE TOLD THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND COULD HAVE ANOTHER FOR 5,500.00. TOWED THE CAR HOME AND FOUND THE COOLING RESIVORE WAS CRACKED AND HAD EMPITIED ALL COOLENT. WE FIND FROM FORD MOTORS THAT THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM, AND WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723070
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Electrical SystemSteering
ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED POWER WINDOWS TO FAIL. ALSO, STEERING MALFUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND APPOINTMENT WAS RECEIVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862313
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HAS WHINING SOUND WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723036
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2000
Power Train
JUST THE TRANMISSION PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722940
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
EquipmentFire
THE RADIO SHORTED OUT, AND CAUSED A FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861889
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2000
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHIICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722636
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR CAUSING PROBLEMS IN TRAFFIC. TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AT RIVERVIEW FORD-MERCURY IN COLUMBIA, IL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722620
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2000
SteeringSuspension
SQUEAKING IN FRONT END, HAD TO HAVE TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED THEN THERE IS STILL A POPPING IN THE FRONT END WHEN I TURN THE WHEELS TO MAKE A TURN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722570
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE COOLANT IS TURNING BROWN. CHANGED COOLANT AT 20,000 MILES AND RECENTLY CHANGED AGAIN AT 45,000.SHOUD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A 97' VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #722435
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL BY NOT GOING INTO GEAR IN THE MORNING, IT THEN WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20 MPH AND HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT AFTER I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO HELP AND BASICALLY DID NOT WANT ANY PART OF MY PROBLEM. WHEN I ASKED FORD IF ALOT OF TAURUS' HAVE THIS PROBLEM THEY REFUSED TO RELE…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL BY NOT GOING INTO GEAR IN THE MORNING, IT THEN WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20 MPH AND HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT AFTER I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO HELP AND BASICALLY DID NOT WANT ANY PART OF MY PROBLEM. WHEN I ASKED FORD IF ALOT OF TAURUS' HAVE THIS PROBLEM THEY REFUSED TO RELEASE THAT INFORMATION. I THINK I HAVE A ROGHT TO KNOW SINCE I AM AN OWNER OF A TAURUS AND I STILL OWE A VERY LARGE SUM OF MONEY ON THIS CAR. I THEN CHECKED IN TO IT MYSELF AND FOUND MIND-BOGGLING STORIES OF HOW FORD WILL NOT MAKE GOOD ON THESE TAURUS'. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK WITH THIS TYPE IF CAR WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION IT IS HORRIBLE, A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CO. WILL NOT MAKE GOOD ON THESE CARS THEY KNOW ARE BAD. *AK
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
Illustration