Complaints
1,003
Crashes
73
Fires
16
Injuries
58
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Ford Taurus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1171 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:84,557 mi
Crash-related:6
#246 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:87,655 mi
#344 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Ford Taurus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 171 | 6 | — | 84,557 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 46 | — | — | 87,655 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 44 | — | 3 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 43 | 12 | — | 85,812 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 39 | — | — | 87,707 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 28 | 2 | — | 78,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 26 | 18 | — | 64,250 mi | |
| Interior Lighting | 23 | — | 1 | 76,333 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 21 | 5 | — | 14,000 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 19 | 1 | 1 | 58,095 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 16 | — | 2 | 78,674 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 16 | — | — | 88,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 15 | — | 1 | 66,200 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 15 | 1 | — | 109,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | — | — | 84,500 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 13 | — | — | 94,793 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 13 | — | — | 38,100 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 12 | — | — | 116,223 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 11 | 5 | — | 68,256 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 11 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 11 | — | — | 63,941 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 10 | — | — | 79,985 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 10 | — | 1 | 92,640 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 10 | 1 | — | 78,383 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 10 | — | — | 133,643 mi | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 10 | — | — | 37,941 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 9 | — | — | 56,266 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 9 | — | — | 54,275 mi |
Automatic Transmission
171
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,557
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
46
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,655
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
44
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
43
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,812
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
39
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,707
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,500
Air Bags:Frontal
26
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
—
Avg Miles
64,250
Interior Lighting
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,333
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
21
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
14,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,095
Engine & Cooling
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
78,674
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,000
Electrical Faults
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
66,200
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,000
Steering Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,500
Structure:Frame And Members
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,793
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
38,100
Tires:Tread/Belt
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,223
Visibility:Windshield
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,256
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,941
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,985
Electrical System:Wiring
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
92,640
Hydraulic Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,383
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
133,643
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,941
Fuel Pump
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,266
Manual Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,275
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Taurus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Taurus Years
1997 Ford Taurus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Ford Taurus reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1997 Ford Taurus has 1,003 NHTSA complaints, 73 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 171 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Ford Taurus?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (171 complaints, avg 84,557 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (46 complaints, avg 87,655 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (44 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 78,860 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Ford Taurus include 73 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 58 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Ford Taurus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Ford Taurus?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Taurus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Ford Taurus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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