1997 Ford Taurus Sho Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Ford Taurus Sho, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine2464.9%
- Powertrain (other)25.4%
- Suspension25.4%
- Driver assistance25.4%
- Electrical25.4%
- Brakes25.4%
- Transmission12.7%
- Exterior lighting12.7%
- Airbags12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCELERATED AS NORMAL TO 30MPH, RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING UP TO AT LEAST 50MPH. FAILED TO STEER 90 DEGREES LEFT, RESULTING IN THE CAR JUMPING THE CURB. LOST CONTROL IN DAMP GRASS, AND RAN INTO A TREE. *TR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997 FORD TAURUS SHO FORD (FMC) HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IN WRITING THAT THE PROBLEM IS MANUFACTURER RELATED, WHICH STEMS FROM THE YAMAHA MANUFACTURED ENGINE USED IN SHO MODELS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROUGH IDLE AFTER 20 MINS. ON THE ROAD, SHAKE AGGRESSIVELY, THEN SHUT-OFF FOR DAYS AT A TIME IN UNPREDICTABILITY. AN AUTHORIZED FMC REPAIR CENTER (MLM) SPENT OVER 3-MOS, CONCURRENTLY, WORKING ON THE VEHICLE TO NO AVAIL. SEE 03/01. THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED IN THIS MANNER FROM 11/00 (MM/YY) THROUGH 04/03, AT WHICH TIME I WAS LEFT WITH NO OTHER FISCALLY-VIABLE OPTION BUT TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO FMC- FMC WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY AND PLACE A 7YEAR "REPOSSESSION" STAIN ON WHAT USED TO BE A GREAT CREDIT SCORE. TIMELINE: BETWEEN 11/00 (MM/YY) AND 01/01, CONTINUED CALLS WERE PUT INTO FMC REGARDING MY "SHO" VEHICLE. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE AGGRESSIVELY, THEN SHUTDOWN IN MID-TRAVEL. 01/01: I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MLM. AFTER DESCRIBING THE ISSUE, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $2,200 TO SERVICE THE PROBLEM(S). 03/01: THE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WERE SO SEVERE; MLM REQUESTED THAT FMC SEND OUT A "FIELD SERVICE ENGINEER" TO ASSIST THEM. AFTER A WEEK FMC ADMITTED, WHICH WAS DOCUMENTED BY MLM IN WRITING, THAT FMC HAS HAD "SIMILAR PROBLEMS" WITH "OTHER SHOS IN THE FIELD" AND HAD "NO POSITIVE FIX FOR THEM." THIS SUGGESTS THAT FMC KNEW OF THE SHO'S PROBLEMS AND HAVE PURPOSEFULLY FAILED/REJECTED TO AID THE VICTIMS AFFECTED. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, MY PASSENGERS AND I WOULD BE PLACED AT TRAGIC AND UNNECESSARY RISKS, AS THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT-DOWN W/O WARNING- LOCKING UP THE STEERING AND CAUSING ME TO ENGAGE IN "ERRATIC" (AT TIMES) AND "PRECAUTIONARY DRIVING MANEUVERS" WHILE ON PUBLIC ROADS IN ORDER TO REGAIN SOME CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SAFELY STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THIS PROVES MALICIOUS INTENT AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES PERPETRATED BY FMC. IT ALSO PROVES A FORMED PATTERN. WB *TR
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCELERATED AS NORMAL TO 30MPH, RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING UP TO AT LEAST 50MPH. FAILED TO STEER 90 DEGREES LEFT, RESULTING IN THE CAR JUMPING THE CURB. LOST CONTROL IN DAMP GRASS, AND RAN INTO A TREE. *TR
BOUGHT A 97 TAURUS SHO AND 2 MONTHS AFTER I GOT IT THE GEAR ON THE CANSHAFT BROKE AND NOW I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. (IT IS A DEFECT THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD SHO TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE WHEN THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RECALL FOR THE 1998 TO 2001 FORD TAURUS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139000. UPDATED 02/02/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/05/10.*JB
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TRAVEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO NOT TAKE PRESSURE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE, REAR END, AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCELERATED AS NORMAL TO 30MPH, RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING UP TO AT LEAST 50MPH. FAILED TO STEER 90 DEGREES LEFT, RESULTING IN THE CAR JUMPING THE CURB. LOST CONTROL IN DAMP GRASS, AND RAN INTO A TREE. *TR
MY 1997 FORD TAURUS IN HOT WEATHER WILL INCREASE SPEED WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS CAUSING ME TO RIDE THE BRAKE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 FORD TAURES. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR MY POWER WINDOWS & NOW MY DASH LIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS DON'T WORK. I WAS LOOKING AT THE LIGHTS & THE SOCKET IN WHICH THE BULBS GO ARE BURNED. MOTOR CAUGHT SLIGHT FIRE BUT CAN'T FIND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK
MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . IT WAS PARKED AT 8 P.M ON SAT 2/05/04 AND AT AROUND 4 A.M 0N 2-06-05 I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT AND WORKED ITS WAY TOWARDS THE BACK. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR BRAKE LINE RUST THROUGH. *NM
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TRAVEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO NOT TAKE PRESSURE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE, REAR END, AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TRAVEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO NOT TAKE PRESSURE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE, REAR END, AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 FORD TAURES. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR MY POWER WINDOWS & NOW MY DASH LIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS DON'T WORK. I WAS LOOKING AT THE LIGHTS & THE SOCKET IN WHICH THE BULBS GO ARE BURNED. MOTOR CAUGHT SLIGHT FIRE BUT CAN'T FIND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 FORD TAURES. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR MY POWER WINDOWS & NOW MY DASH LIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS DON'T WORK. I WAS LOOKING AT THE LIGHTS & THE SOCKET IN WHICH THE BULBS GO ARE BURNED. MOTOR CAUGHT SLIGHT FIRE BUT CAN'T FIND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .