1997 FORD TAURUS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
1,003
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
35
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 FORD TAURUS
The 1997 FORD TAURUS has received a total of 1,003 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 35 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (171 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (46 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (44 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 FORD TAURUS
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1997 FORD TAURUS, potentially affecting up to 790,014 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 98V028000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 571,800 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 97V097000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 100,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V166000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
| 40,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 FORD TAURUS
1,003 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 FORD TAURUS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
OIL LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN LOW. 2. ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. 3 WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS WINTER, THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I ALMOST HAD A COLLISION WITH TWO OTHER CARS BUT I HIT A CURB AND WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR MOVING AGAIN. 4.CAR IS LOUD WHILE DRIVING. 5 CAN'T GET GOOD GAS MILAGE.6.CAR HAS DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK.
OIL LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN LOW. 2. ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. 3 WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS WINTER, THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I ALMOST HAD A COLLISION WITH TWO OTHER CARS BUT I HIT A CURB AND WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR MOVING AGAIN. 4.CAR IS LOUD WHILE DRIVING. 5 CAN'T GET GOOD GAS MILAGE.6.CAR HAS DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK.
OIL LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN LOW. 2. ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. 3 WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS WINTER, THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I ALMOST HAD A COLLISION WITH TWO OTHER CARS BUT I HIT A CURB AND WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR MOVING AGAIN. 4.CAR IS LOUD WHILE DRIVING. 5 CAN'T GET GOOD GAS MILAGE.6.CAR HAS DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK.
AUTO TRANS. SHIFT QUAD QUICKLY BECAME SLOPPY AND IN FACT SOMETIMES WOULD NOT START IN PARK POS. AND YOU HAD TO HUNT FOR NEUTRAL WHERE IT WOULD ALWAYS START. THEN ON THE THIRD DAY, WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, IT DID START IN PARK, BUT WHILE ON A VERY HIGH IDLE I GOT OUT OF THE CAR FOR A SECOND AND WHILE STANDING BESIDE THE CAR IT SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE KNOCKING ME TO THE GROUND AS IT RAPIDLY SPED REARWARD TILL IT HIT AND CAME TO REST AGAINST A CONCRETE WALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Safety Rating for the 1997 FORD TAURUS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 FORD TAURUS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 FORD TAURUS
Ford Motor Company has issued 35 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 FORD TAURUS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
03123 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING WHEN COMMANDED AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0741 OR P1744 STORED IN MEMORY. MODELS FROM 1996 TO 2003. *TT
15879 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SOME SHO VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A TICKING NOISE ORIGINATING FROM THE VALVE COVER AREA. *TT
15142 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HARSH 2-3 SHIFT AFTER INSTALLING A REMANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. *YH
00191 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION BETWEEN LAYERS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *JB
99184 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S TRANSAXLE, MAY EXHIBIT A HARSH 2-3 DOWNSHIFT MAY OCCUR WHEN COASTING AROUND A CORNER AND THEN ACCELERATING. *TT
996123 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
CONCERNS WITH BUZZ OR VIBRATION WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK. *TT
99B01 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF AIR CONDITIONING FUNCTION, DUE TO A FRACTURE OF THE COMPRESSOR'S INTERNAL ROTOR. *TT
9941 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
EXPERIENCING A MOANING NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING DURING ENGINE IDLE. *TT
5205 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NGS ERROR MESSAGE, TOTAL CHECKSUM ERROR AFTER NGS / SBTS PCM REPROGRAMMING. *TT
982320 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES WITH A VERY LOW ODOMETER READING MAY EXPERIENCE A LACK TEMPERATURE CONTROL. *YC
Showing 10 of 35 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 FORD TAURUS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD TAURUS
- 1992 FORD TAURUS — 1,009 complaints
- 1993 FORD TAURUS — 2,206 complaints
- 1994 FORD TAURUS — 1,284 complaints
- 1995 FORD TAURUS — 1,597 complaints
- 1996 FORD TAURUS — 1,132 complaints
- 1997 FORD TAURUS (current)
- 1998 FORD TAURUS — 680 complaints
- 1999 FORD TAURUS — 1,100 complaints
- 2000 FORD TAURUS — 1,497 complaints
- 2001 FORD TAURUS — 1,264 complaints
- 2002 FORD TAURUS — 1,757 complaints
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints
- FORD MUSTANG — 11,551 total complaints