1997 Ford Taurus recalls
Problem: 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.
Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
61,944 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
571,800 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Power Train · NHTSA 97V097000 · Jun 9, 1997
Problem: 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.
Risk: The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
100,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Power Train · NHTSA 96V166000 · Sep 5, 1996
Problem: 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.
Risk: Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
40,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 15, 2021 · 162,846 miles · IA
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 15, 2021 · 162,846 miles · IA
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.
Engine · Mar 15, 2021 · 162,846 miles · IA
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.
Unknown or Other · Apr 11, 2018 · 149,000 miles · CA · crash
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…
Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 28, 2016 · NJ · fire
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…
Engine · Mar 28, 2016 · NJ · fire
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…
Service Brakes · Sep 27, 2015 · 105,000 miles · GA
When driving the car at a low rate of speed a few miles from my neighborhood, I noticed that the brake light indicator came on. I slowed down to look around the car but could not find anything. I drove the car home and just as I was driving into my neighborhood, the brakes stopped working. Very luckily, I did not get into an accident. It turns out that the metal rear brake…
Engine · Apr 5, 2015 · 127,700 miles · ID · fire
On 4/3/2015 my mother in law pulled into the driveway after a 10 mile trip to town. Upon pulling in the driveway the car started on fire immediately, at first she thought the car was overheating (white smoke) then realized the car was actually on fire (black smoke). She had to be helped by an idaho power employee who was driving by. A total of two 15LB fire extinguishers and…
Electrical System · Apr 5, 2015 · 127,700 miles · ID · fire
On 4/3/2015 my mother in law pulled into the driveway after a 10 mile trip to town. Upon pulling in the driveway the car started on fire immediately, at first she thought the car was overheating (white smoke) then realized the car was actually on fire (black smoke). She had to be helped by an idaho power employee who was driving by. A total of two 15LB fire extinguishers and…
Power Train · Apr 5, 2015 · 127,700 miles · ID · fire
On 4/3/2015 my mother in law pulled into the driveway after a 10 mile trip to town. Upon pulling in the driveway the car started on fire immediately, at first she thought the car was overheating (white smoke) then realized the car was actually on fire (black smoke). She had to be helped by an idaho power employee who was driving by. A total of two 15LB fire extinguishers and…
Power Train · Nov 3, 2014 · 130,000 miles · IL
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift gears and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was jumpstarted. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Unknown or Other · May 6, 2014 · 176,730 miles · DC
Muddy water in overflow tank
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 1997 Ford Taurus, the most recent one (09E012000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Taurus?
Based on 770 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are power train (228), engine and engine cooling (168), service brakes, hydraulic (71).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 1997 Ford Taurus?
Owners reported 64 crashes, 12 fires, 58 injuries and 4 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.