1997 Ford Taurus: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Ford Taurus: 3 recalls, 770 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #96V166000 · 1996 · 40,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #97V097000 · 1997 · 100,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The catalytic converter temperature May be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #98V028000 · 1998 · 571,800 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 12 mention a fire, 50 injuries and 4 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (213): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (71), noise or vibration (21), leaks (12).
- Engine & cooling (145): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (29), leaks (21), rust / corrosion (16).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (67): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (13), noise or vibration (11).
- Electrical (62): the most common themes are electrical failure (32), door / lock issues (17).
The 1997 Ford Taurus has 770 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 30 Taurus model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 563). Complaints peaked in 2000 (140 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 84,324 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (825 complaints, 6 recalls), 1998 (545 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Ford Taurus.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Ford Taurus, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Ford Taurus problems?
Owners have filed 770 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (213), engine & cooling (145), brakes (hydraulic) (67).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Taurus get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Ford Taurus repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.