MYRModel Year Report

1997 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
770
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1987 1988: 341 complaints 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 770 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 104 complaints 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1991: 659 complaints 1991 1992: 694 complaints 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 770 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2003: 1,223 complaints 2003 2004: 375 complaints 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 64 complaints 2009 2010: 204 complaints 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2015: 271 complaints 2015 2016: 81 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 4 complaints 1984 1985: 2 complaints 1986: 104 complaints 1986 1987: 259 complaints 1988: 341 complaints 1988 1989: 570 complaints 1990: 392 complaints 1990 1991: 659 complaints 1992: 694 complaints 1992 1993: 1,565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1994 1995: 1,208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 770 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1,195 complaints 2000 2001: 1,037 complaints 2002: 1,426 complaints 2002 2003: 1,223 complaints 2004: 375 complaints 2004 2005: 774 complaints 2006: 318 complaints 2006 2007: 149 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 64 complaints 2010: 204 complaints 2010 2011: 187 complaints 2012: 79 complaints 2012 2013: 584 complaints 2014: 229 complaints 2014 2015: 271 complaints 2016: 81 complaints 2016 2017: 44 complaints 2018: 47 complaints 2018 2019: 15 complaints

1997: 770 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931,565
1994931
19951,208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001,195
20011,037
20021,426
20031,223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201279
2013584
2014229
2015271
201681
201744
201847
201915

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

29% · 224 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On 4/3/2015 my mother in law pulled into the driveway after a 10 mile trip to town.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-04-05

Also filed under Electrical system and engine

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 161 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIREINJURYDEATH

Service brakes

10% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

8% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

8% · 61 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1996-09-23Power train96V166000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 770 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1997-06-30Power train97V097000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 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…

    Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 224 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 161 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 75 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V166000 · Power train
  • Recall 97V097000 · Power train
  • Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford Taurus reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Taurus is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Taurus?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Taurus have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.