MYRModel Year Report

1997 Ford Taurus

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Ford Taurus
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Taurus Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaints 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: 1565 complaints 1994: 931 complaints 1995: 1208 complaints 1996: 825 complaints 1997: 770 complaints 1997 1998: 545 complaints 1999: 874 complaints 2000: 1195 complaints 2001: 1037 complaints 2002: 1426 complaints 2002 2003: 1223 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: 78 complaints 2012 2013: 583 complaints 2014: 228 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 44 complaints 2017 2018: 47 complaints 2019: 15 complaints 2019
1997: 770 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19812
19831
19844
19852
1986104
1987259
1988341
1989570
1990392
1991659
1992694
19931565
1994931
19951208
1996825
1997770
1998545
1999874
20001195
20011037
20021426
20031223
2004375
2005774
2006318
2007149
2008175
200964
2010204
2011187
201278
2013583
2014228
2015267
201679
201744
201847
201915

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

POWER TRAIN 29%

29% of complaints: power train — 224 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20150405

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 21%

21% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 161 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE INJURY DEATH
SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 75 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 65 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 61 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960923 — power train

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 SHO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Campaign 96V166000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 770
R 19970630 — power train

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,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

Campaign 97V097000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980323 — exterior lighting

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 REQUIR

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Ford Taurus — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (224 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (161 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (75 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V166000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V097000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ▲ 2018 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2002 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.