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 6, 2000
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHT BEZEL IS DISCOLORED. THERE APPEARS TO BE A FOG INSIDE THE BEZEL. THE DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATES "SOMETHING" MUST HAVE BEEN SPRAYED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BEZEL. I WAS TOLD THAT SOME OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A GASKET LEAK AND THAT WAS …
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THE HEADLIGHT BEZEL IS DISCOLORED. THERE APPEARS TO BE A FOG INSIDE THE BEZEL. THE DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATES "SOMETHING" MUST HAVE BEEN SPRAYED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BEZEL. I WAS TOLD THAT SOME OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A GASKET LEAK AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGAURDING THIS PROBLEM? *AK
NHTSA ODI #722333
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury
WAS DRIVING & LOST CONTROL. HIT A SIGN, THEN HEAD-ON INTO A CEMENT WALL & BLACKED OUT. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. REFUSED TREATMENT UNTIL MUCH LATER. AIR BAGS HAD PREVIOUSLY DEPLOYED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT & WERE REPAIRED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861363
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO PURCHASE, VEHICLE DENIED RECALL REPAIR DUE TO TIME RESTRICTIONS. (98B2) *MJS
NHTSA ODI #552075
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000
Power Train
WHEN CONSUMER HAS VEHICLE IN PARK GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT MOVE IN DRIVE. GEAR SHIFT IS STUCK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861200
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000
Electrical SystemInterior LightingUnknown Or Other
DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON. SOMETIMES OCASIONALLY IT GOES OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF BECAUSE OF IT, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY, BACK WINDOW DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THE DEALER THINKS I'M CRAZY CAUSE WHENEVER I TAKE IT IN TO BE REPAIRED THE LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A RE…
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DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON. SOMETIMES OCASIONALLY IT GOES OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF BECAUSE OF IT, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY, BACK WINDOW DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THE DEALER THINKS I'M CRAZY CAUSE WHENEVER I TAKE IT IN TO BE REPAIRED THE LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A RELAY SWITCH AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND IT STILL IS BROKEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722131
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH WARPED ROTORS. ROTORS HAD BEEN TURNED TWICE DUE TO VIBRATION BUT IT REOCCURRED. DEALER ONLY WANTED TO TURN THE ROTORS AGAIN. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861005
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
IN COLD WEATHER ENGINE IDLES HIGH. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 3 TIMES, AND REPLACED SENSOR ON ENGINE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860963
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2000
Tires
BELT SEPARATION IN THREE OUT OF FOUR OF THE OEM TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: M6T4 TIRE SIZE: 225-55ZR16 )
NHTSA ODI #721904
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2000
Interior LightingStructure
#1 DOOR AJAR LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND DOME LIGHT ON EVEN THOUGH ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. *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
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