1997 Ford Taurus

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2004· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  I WAS INVOLVED IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT WITH SOME STONE GUARD RAILS ON ROUTE 18 NORTH IN EATONTOWN, NEW JERSEY. MY SEAT BELT RELEASE ON IMPACT AND SENT ME FLYING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR ON TOP OF MY BOYFRIEND. ALSO THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. AND WE HIT THE GURAD RAILS AT 65 MPH. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR SOMETHING BACK FROM SOMEONE AT THE FORD HEADQUARTERS. BECAUSE MY BOYFRIEND AND I COULD HAV LOST OURS LIVES DUE TO THE DEFECTS OF THIS CAR. THE CAR IS TOTALED OUT. ANDMY BOYFRIEND ONLY WALKED AWAY WITH A BRUISED SHOULDER AND WHIPLASH, WHILE I ON THE OTHER HAND HAD A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH AND VARIOUS MUSCLE STRAINS. I THANK MY GOD . *AK

• 12/30/2007· STEERING

  VEHICLE MAKES POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE NOISE IS GENERATED FROM TIE RODS OR RACK N PINION PROBLEM, WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED/REPAIRED ON VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/30/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  RECALLS 97V097000/96V166000; WHILE DRIVING THE RPM'S WENT UP, ZOOMED UP, AND THE CAR DIED, COASTED TO THE SIDE AND PARKED. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALLS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/29/2003· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  LTR FM M.L. MOODY (TX) RE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN A 1997 FORD TAURUS, REQUESTS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION . *MR THE RED LIGHT HAD COME ON THE DASH WHICH HAD INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE STEERING LOCKED UP FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MECHANICAL ERROR. *SCC *JB

• 12/29/1998· POWER TRAIN

  RECALL 97S75/96S50.TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. CAR WOULD DRIVE IN REVERSE. CAR IS INOPERABLE. DEALERS STATED ORIGINALLY NO PROBLEMS, SECONDLY, THE SENSOR FAILED. FINALLY, THE CABLE SNAPPED. DEALER HAS VEHICLE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/28/2000· VISIBILITY

  HEATER CORE REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS DUE TO FAILURE, THE SECOND REPLACEMENT FAILED ALSO CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT. *MJS

• 12/28/1998· STEERINGCrash

  SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE STEERING WHILE I WAS DRIVING A FORD TAURUS RENTAL CAR THAT MADE ME LOSE CONTROL AND TUMBLE OVER AN EMBANKMENT. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, I NOTICED IRREGULAR STEERING THAT RESEMBLED STERRING CONSISTANT WITH A LOW TIRE. HOWEVER, AFTER STOPPING TO CHECK THE TIRES, I FOUND THAT ALL APPEARED TO BE PROPERLY INFLATED. APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING FAILED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL IN A CURVE AND TUMBLE OVER AN EMBANKMENT SEVERAL TIMES LANDING ON MY ROOF. SINCE THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR, I DO NOT HAVE THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION SUCH AS VIN NUMBER, MILEAGE, ETC. I HAVE PROVIDED YOU WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION I CAN RECALL, BUT WILL ATTEMPT

• 12/27/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE A 1997 FORD TAURUS SHO, I STARTED HEARING A TAPING IN MY ENGINE, I ASKED A MACHANIC FRIEND ABOUT IT, HE TOLD ME THAT HE READ ABOUT THE CAM SHAFT IN THE SHO'S FROM 1996 - 1999 GOING BAD, I TOOK MY SHO TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY DETERMIND IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT HAD GONE BAD. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THERE IS A WRITE UP ABOUT THE ISSUE.I TALKED TO FORD MOTOR CO CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HADN'T HAD ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRENT A RECALL, THAT I SHOULD SAVE MY RECIEPTS AND IF THEY HAVE A RECALL THEY WOULD REFUND MY MONEY. IF IT IS A KNOWN FAULT IN THE ENGINE WHY HASN'T FORD CHECKED INTO IT? I LIKED MY FORD SHO, AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT FOR A LONG TIME.

• 12/27/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. PROBLEM OCCURRED DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

• 12/27/2001· SEAT BELTS

  PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SEATBELT WILL NOT PULL OUT OF RETRACTOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/27/2000· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/27/1996· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING, THEN LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING AT APPROX. 60MPH, FOUND ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD SPILLED OUT OVER HWY, DLR INDICATES TRANS. HOSE CAME LOOSE, CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK. *AK

• 12/26/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH STARTER MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS IF NEEDED.*AK

• 12/26/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE DRIVING FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED. MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS FUEL PUMP, AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS IF NEEDED. *AK

• 12/26/2000· AIR BAGS

  A FUNNY NOISE COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED THAT AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. CLOCK SPRING/CONNECT SWITCH WERE NOT WORKING. IT WAS DAMAGED. AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK *SLC

• 12/24/2000· POWER TRAIN

  APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF SAFETY CRITICAL COMPONENT. WHILE ACCELERATING TO 40 MPH HEARD LOUD BANG AND FRONT OF CAR JUMPED. SUDDEN FAILURE/NO PREVIOUS WARNING SIGNS. OWNER (ME) SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE MOUNT. DROVE HOME (3 MI.) AT SPEED LESS THAN 30--TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SHIFT OK BUT WOULD JOLT ON UP SHIFT. MADE NOISE / "BUMPED" ON TURNING AT VERY LOW SPEED. DEALER HAD RECENTLY SERVICED TRANSMISSION (35,578 MI.). DEALERS SAID 2/3 HARDENED BOLTS SHEARED AND 1/3 WAS LOOSE IN FRONT? LOWER BLOCK MOUNT LOOSE. DEALER CLAIMS NO OTHER DAMAGE RESULTED / WILL LATER RESULT-WE SHALL SEE. TOOK APPROX 6 HR LABOR TO REPAIR. DEALER SAID IF OWNER HAD NOT HAD EXTENDED WARRANTEE ON DRIVE TRAIN, OWNER WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY ALL OUT OF POCKET. MOUNT BOLTS/BRACKET IS SUCH THAT OWNER CAN NOT EASILY CHECK- HAVE TO REMOVE CATY CONVT & R FRONT ENGINE MOUNT FOR ACCESS. BRACKET BOLTS IN TRIANGULAR PATTERN IN LOWER BLOCK- FRONT?. VEH NEVER IN ACCIDENT OR STRUCK; IN VG COND. VEH HAD 12,000 MI WHEN PURCHASED FROM DEALER'S SERVICE MGR'S WIFE. DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS 8-12 MI/DAY 55 MPH MAX. NOT HOTRODDED. AM INTERSTED IF SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER TAURUS SHO V8 MODELS. *AK

• 12/23/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  OVERHEAD DOME LIGHT SHORTED OUT, REPAIRED SHORT, $110.00. THREE MONTHS LATER THE ALARM SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING, REPLACED ALARM SYSTEM WITH 2005, AND REPLACED COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS. *JB

• 12/23/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING THROTTLE SYSTEM GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/21/2011· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING AN INSPECTION, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ON THE BASE WAS RUSTED, DEEMING THE VEHICLE AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NON-REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,540. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 03/16/12

• 12/18/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NOTICED BROWN COOLANT DURING MAINTENANCE. HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH OVERHEATING ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER, WAS TOLD OUT OF WARRANTY, NO RECALLS, NOT A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. TOOK TO NON-DEALER SHOP. FOUND LEAKING HEAD GASKET. REPLACED HEAD GASKETS, THERMOSTAT, COOLANT OVERFLOW CONTAINER, AND ANTI-FREEZE. RESURFACED CYLINDER HEADS. PERFORMED COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT ~50,000 MILES NOTICED BROWN COOLANT AGAIN.

• 12/18/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WATER PUMP FAILED. DURING INSPECTION AND REPAIR A RUST COLORED FLUID WAS NOTICED TO BE CONTAMINATING COOLANT SYSTEM. *AK

• 12/18/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 35 MPH THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE STOPPED, BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE TO DEALER ALREADY, AND SHE WILL TAKE IT BACK ONE MORE TIME THE NEXT DAY. *AK

• 12/17/2003· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN A 1997 FORD TAURUS. REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. *PH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE RED LIGHT HAD COME ON THE DASH WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FOUR INCIDENTS OF STEERING LOCK UP. *SCC *JB

• 12/17/1997· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSAXLE FAILS WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS OF 70 MPH.

• 12/17/1997· POWER TRAIN

  TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO REVERSE ALL BY ITSELF. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WHEN RELEASING THE PARK BRAKE THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF. *AK

• 12/16/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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.

• 12/15/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/15/2000· SEAT BELTS

  RIGHT REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR STOPPED WORKING, FORD WILL NOT REPLACE IT DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK

• 12/15/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  NOISE IN FUEL SYSTEM TOOK TO DEALER TWICE NO SOLUTION. SOUND LIKE GURGLE. *AK

• 12/15/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE POOR DESIGN IN FUEL SYSTEM RESULTED IN FUEL PUMP WIRES RUBBING AGAINST THE FUEL FEED LINE AND SHORTING. YH

• 12/14/2000· STRUCTURE

  CONSUMER HEARD LOUD BUZZING NOISE WHEN TURNING, UPON INSPECTION THE THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF RUST, TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSALVAGEABLE AND THAT IT HAD BEEN SUBMERGED IN WATER. NLM

• 12/14/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMS CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATES UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO IDLE AND ACCLERATE UNEXPECTEDLY, AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED TWO SENSORS WITH ELECTRONIC TIMING AND IDLER. PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/14/1998· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SENSORY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT TO 45 MPH WHILE ON FREEWAY.

• 12/13/2004· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  VEHICLE MOVING DOWN A HILL. POWER BRAKES AND STEERING LOST POWER,ENGINE STILL RUNNING, BUT NO POWER TO BRAKES OR STEERING. FINALLY STOPPED VEHICLE WITH NO INCIDENT. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING RESTORED.*AK TOOK TO SERVICE.REPLACEMENT WAS MADE TO CAMSHAFT SENSOR. PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, BUT RETURNED ABOUT 6 MOS. LATER...SAME CIRCUMSTANCES,ONLY IN FIRST INCIDENT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY.

• 12/13/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING INSIDE. REPLACED BY DEALER

• 12/11/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  REAR BRAKE LINE RUST THROUGH. *NM

• 12/10/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIDN'T SHIFT PROPERLY. IT WOULD SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND MAKE LOUD NOISE. *AK THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED LEAVING HER IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION. BY JIGGLING THE SHIFT LEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE THEN INTO DRIVE. THIS HAD BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 1991-1998 MODELS. FORD WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *SCC *JB

• 12/10/2001· STRUCTURE

  I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

• 12/09/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CAM SENSORS ARE BEING REPLACED IN THE 1997 FORD TAURUS MODELS; SINCE THEY ARE RELATED TO THE THE FIRING OF THE ENGINE IT WILL CAUSE THE EMISSIONS TO INCREASE AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE COVERED UNDER THE 8YR/84000 MILE LAW. DT

• 12/09/2000· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/09/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN UP A CURB AND INTO A BUILDING. THERE IS A TSB BULLETIN ON THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/08/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  BEFORE PARKING THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. WHILE PARKED, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH, THEN FLAMES WERE COMING OUT, POLICE OFFICER PULLED THE FUSES/ BATTERY AND THEN FIRE WENT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 12/08/1998· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WAS TRAVELING APROXIMATELY 10MPH WHEN FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED SQUEAKING. HAD PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED PRIOR TO SUSPENSION SQUEAKING. *AK

• 12/07/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES KEEP WARPING. MATERIALS THAT ARE USED FOR BRAKE PADS CAUSE ROTORS TO OVERHEAT & BECOME WARPED. EVERY TIME BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE WOULD SHIMMY. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES & MECHANIC CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/07/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN HIGH RPM AND ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS, ON SECOND INCIDENT BEFORE STOPPING MOTOR THE RIGHT SIDE DRIVE AXLE BROKE AT CV-JOINT.

• 12/06/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SHIMMY IN STEERING COLUMN DURING BRAKING INDICATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED REPAIR. PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED AT 55000. STEERING COLUMN WOULD "GROAN" INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNED TO RIGHT AND THEN RETURNED TO CENTER. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDING REPLACEMENT. WOULD NOT PERFORMA UNDER WARRANTY. CAR ONLY HAD 58,000 MILES (WAY TOO SOON!)

• 12/05/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, AND THERE WAS A "TICKING" NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT CAMSHAFT FAILED, AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

• 12/05/2001· POWER TRAIN

  GEAR SHIFT WILL GO INTO DRIVE. HOWEVER, CAR DOES NOT ENGAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/05/1999· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ROUGHLY INTO GEARS. *SLC

• 12/04/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  1997 FORD TAURUS WITH ANTI FREEZE LEAK. CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AND THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. DEALER TOLD HER SHE NEEDED THE ENGINE REPAIRED AND IT WOULD COST $300 OR $400 DOLLARS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HER, IT WAS OVERHEATING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER A CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR ENGINE CORROSION. *JB