10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,214 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Taurus:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #28

Sep 302007

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,000 miles
Power steering intermittent failure; first began when placing shift lever into reverse gear, then later occurred also in forward drive gears. Suspect electrical/electronic problem since radio speakers also go silent and power windows do not operate when this occurs. All other fuses working properly. Dealer is not yet contacted.

- Caledonia, IL, USA

problem #27

Apr 012005

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1997 Ford Taurus experiencing problems with the power steering. The power steering had gone out due to the wrong automatic transmission fluid being placed in the vehicle.

- Lorena, TX, USA

problem #26

Feb 102005

Taurus 6-cyl

  • miles
I have experience the same lost of power steering and brakes, I have also notice that when I turn my wheel it makes a squeaking sound.had the car checked was told it needed to be lubed.had it lubed car is still doing the same thing.a coworker has a 1997 Ford Taurus like my car and they are experencing the same noises. Please advise if this problem is common.

- Newport, NC, USA

problem #25

Dec 272003

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles
1. steering and power completely failed suddenly while driving after only two weeks after buying car 2. had repaired at dealership where we bought it, something about module, 3. after about 4 mo. Started same problem again, no response from dealer or Ford about my concerns, caused my daughter to hit a tree damaging car heavily and causing my daughter to hit her head resulting in headaches 4. had car repaired from accident and let it go back because I was afraid to drive it 5. now we're being constantly harassed by Ford motors lawers weltman, weinberg & reis 323 lakeside ave. Cleveland 44113-1099, phone216.739.5081 with garneshments now they trying to get our social security.

- Galion, OH, USA

problem #24

Dec 102004

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
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. 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.

- Marshalltown, IA, USA

problem #23

Apr 222004

Taurus 6-cyl

  • 13,000 miles
While driving it was hard to shift gears/steer the vehicle. The brake and tail lights failed to work. The electrical system was intermittent, the radio would go off when the steering wheel was turned and when the vehicle was in drive. The problem would start when the vehicle was in park, reverse, or neutral. The seat belt light flickered on and off without cause.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #22

Dec 172003

(reported on)

Taurus 6-cyl

  • miles
Defective steering column in a 1997 Ford Taurus. Request a defect investigation. 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.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #21

Feb 012003

Taurus 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When gear shift is in reverse or drive, power steering goes off, radio sound goes off and the power windows will not go up or down. What could cause this problem I have contacted Ford they would check into the problem, but have not had it repaired yet

- Elizabeth City, VA, USA

problem #20

Sep 192002

Taurus

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving at any speed on flat surface and no warning the power steering will lock up then disengage and it is causing it to be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #19

Jun 012002

Taurus

  • miles
All's well in park and neutral, but when in reverse or drive, the radio quits, intermittent wipers fail, windows won't work, loss of about 75% of power steering. Put it in nuetral and all is well. It turned out to be the transmission range sensor. I found 10 other people who have had the same failure in a 96 or 97 Ford Taurus.

- Ludlow, KY, USA

problem #18

May 012002

Taurus

  • miles
When the gear shift is in reverse & drive, radio goes off, power assist goes off at anytime. Very dangerous. Sounds like a reaccuring problem based on reports I have seen. Electrical of some sort.

- Neosho, MO, USA

problem #17

Mar 122002

(reported on)

Taurus

  • miles
Dome light stays uluminated while driving, causing poor visibility. Power steering goes in and out, causing it to become difficult to steer. Dealer will be notified.

- Indnop, IN, USA

problem #16

Mar 012002

(reported on)

Taurus

  • miles
While driving and without warning lost power steering. Only warning that was received by consumer was a short in electrical components.

- Woodhaven, NY, USA

problem #15

Jan 292002

Taurus

  • miles
While driving and applying brakes power steering willgo from off to on intermittently. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer indicated sensor was going bad in steering column. Please add VIN.

- Ringgold, GA, USA

problem #14

Sep 032001

Taurus

  • miles
A/C compressor seized causing drivebelt failure and loss of steering, alternator, and power brakes.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #13

Jun 202001

Taurus

  • miles
Erratic loss of power asssited steering after a few minutes of driving, sometimes with seat belt light on and power window control inoperative. Chattering noise suggests an eletrical problem. Definitely dangerous if loss or regain of power assisted steering happens due to over or under steering.

- Amherst, NY, USA

problem #12

Apr 022001

Taurus

  • miles
Power steering intermittent failure; first began when placing shift lever into reverse gear, then later occurred also in forward drive gears. Suspect electrical/electronic problem since radio speakers also go silent and power windows do not operate when this occurs. Discovered that removal of 15amp fuse controlling backup lights/heater return power steering and radio control. All other fuses working properly. Dealer is not yet contacted.

- Stow, OH, USA

problem #11

Jan 052001

Taurus

  • miles
While driving at any normal speed power steering will kick out sometimes. Also, seat belt light will come on and off/ door light will come on, and speed control will come on.

- Loudon, TN, USA

problem #10

Jul 242000

Taurus

  • miles
Power steering goes out intermittently. Dealer/manufacturer were not contacted at this time. Feel free to provide any further details.

- Medfield, MA, USA

problem #9

Apr 132000

(reported on)

Taurus

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Whenever windshield wipers are in use they would work erractically. Sometimes not at all. This causes poor visibility for the driver. The switch can turn wipers on & then wipers would stop. Also, transmission failed to shift into gear properly, and power steering failed to work properly when turning steering wheel. Taking vehicle dealer to check out problems.

- Mt Vernon, IL, USA

Read the next 8 complaints »