RoadVitals

1997 Ford Taurus Interior & seats Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Interior & seats reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Feb 26, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 770 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford Taurus submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 34 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming interior

The 25 most recent of 34, in the owner's own words

Interior & seats
Filed Feb 26, 2005

ON MY 1997 FORD TAURUS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL SOMETIMES FAIL TO LATCH. ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10112219
Incident
Jan 19, 2005
Interior & seatsExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Aug 9, 2004

RANDOM CHANGES IN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED, REGARDLESS OF SETTING. HAZARD SIGNALS FAILED OR ONLY ONE SIDE FLASHING. TURN SIGNAL FAILURE (OF EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR CONSOLE LIGHTS). FAILURE OF INTERIOR LIGHTING TO TURN OFF AFTER DOORS CLOSED. FAILURE OF POWER WINDOWS (ALL FOUR). SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESULTING IN REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF GEM MODULE. TURN SIGNAL/WIPER CONTROLS REPLACED. GEM MODULE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10086455
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Mileage
88,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 9, 2004

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL DISPLAY THE "DOOR AJAR" WARNING ICON AND THE DOME LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXITING AND SECURING THE VEHICLE, THE DOME LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON FOR AN INDEFINATE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT CAN CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION FOR A WEEK-AT-A-TIME AND NOT HAVE A RECURRENCE FOR UP TO A MONTH. DEALER TOLD ME THAT UNLESS I COULD LOCALIZE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT BEGIN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10065867
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Mileage
40,000 mi
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jan 29, 2003

DRIVER SEATBELT STATUS, DOOR SHUT STATUS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SEATBELT LIGHT IS ON EVEN WHEN WEARING SEATBELT, AND "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT, INTERIOR LIGHT STAY ON EVEN WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED.

NHTSA ID
10004913
Incident
Nov 15, 2002
Mileage
101,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 9, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported

VEHICLE WAS IN A REAR END COLLISON AND BOTH FRONT SEATBACKS COLLAPSED, AND LAUNCHED BACKWARDS ON IMPACT.BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8018147
Incident
Sep 7, 2002
Body & structureBrakesInterior & seats
Filed Jun 12, 2002

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES FROM BETWEEN 65 TO 45 MPH THERE IS A SERIOUS SHAKING FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO MOTION. THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME HAVING THREE SMALL CHILDREN. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT ALSO DOESN'T SHUT OFF AS IT SHOULD.*AK

NHTSA ID
762972
Interior & seatsSteering
Filed Mar 12, 2002

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
8005471
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jan 11, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM DISENGAGES. ALSO, DOME LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002023
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Sep 4, 2001

DOME LIGHT REMAINS ON ONCE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF OR WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSED.ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOWS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
895681
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Body & structureInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Aug 17, 2001

INTERIOR MAP LIGHT IS ALSO THE DOME LIGHTS. CANNOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. WHEN THE DOOR SENSOR BREAKS THE SENSORS THINKS THE DOOR IS OPEN. THIS IS HAZARDOUS AT NIGHT SINCE THERE IS GLARE COMING OFF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

NHTSA ID
750646
Incident
Aug 16, 2001
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Mar 13, 2001

SWITCH IN DOOR TO ADVISE IF DOOR IS OPEN STAYS ON. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT CAUSES FOR DOME LIGHTS TO COME ON. CONSUMER HAS HAD REPAIRS ON VEHICLE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR.*AK

NHTSA ID
882954
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 10, 2001

INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHICH MAY CAUSE VISIBLE PROBLEM, AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE INTERIOR LIGHTS TWICE. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
877889
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 8, 2001

FALSE LIGHT SHOWING OPEN DOOR WILL NOT GO OFF, THEREFORE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF/EVEN WHEN CAR IS OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID
739020
Incident
Jan 8, 2001
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 12, 2000

WHEN SUN HITS VEHICLE OR EVEN WHEN TEMPERATURE IS HOT AT NIGHT, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT COME ON. LIGHTS STAY ON FOR AN HOUR OR MORE BEFORE GOING OUT. THIS CAUSES POOR DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
872851
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 21, 2000

THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON DUE TO THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT BEING ON IT ONLY HAPPENS AFTER NOON WHEN TH CAR IS PARKED IN THE SUN LIGHT AND AFRAID TO CAUSE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE DRIVERS UNDERDASH LIGHT BEING SO BRIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
724354
Incident
May 7, 2000
ElectricalInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed May 1, 2000

DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON. SOMETIMES OCASIONALLY IT GOES OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF BECAUSE OF IT, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY, BACK WINDOW DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THE DEALER THINKS I'M CRAZY CAUSE WHENEVER I TAKE IT IN TO BE REPAIRED THE LIGHTS ARE ALL OFF. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A RELAY SWITCH AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND IT STILL IS BROKEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
722131
Incident
Apr 13, 2000
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Apr 24, 2000

#1 DOOR AJAR LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND DOME LIGHT ON EVEN THOUGH ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. *AK

NHTSA ID
721882
Incident
Apr 24, 2000
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 18, 2000

SAFETY HAZARD CAUSED BY FAILURE OF INTERIOR LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, AND AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING OF ONLY THE DRIVER DOOR, IMMEDIATELY AFTER USING POWER LOCK BUTTON TO LOCK ALL DOORS.

NHTSA ID
721611
Incident
Apr 17, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 5, 2000

DASHBOARD SHOWS DOORS ARE OPEN, AND INTERIOR LIGHT WILL STAY ON. DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
859743
Incident
Apr 4, 2000
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Mar 1, 2000

1. WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT ALWAYS OPERATE AT THE RATE SELECTED. THEY OPERATE AT A LOWER RATE THAN SELECTED. 2. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LIGHT SWITCH DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN LOCKED DURING THIS SWITCH FAILURE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND/OR THE ENGINE RUNNING.

NHTSA ID
719525
Interior & seatsTransmission
Filed Feb 28, 2000

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTINTLY COME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM TWICE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. NOW THE PROBLEM IS ESCULATING. THE CAR NOW SHUTS OFF THE POWER TO THE RADIO SPEAKERS, POWER WINDOWS, POWER ASSIST AND PROBABLY OTHER COMPONENTS WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS TAKEN OUT OF PARK. ALL COMPONENTS WORK FINE WHEN CAR IS IN PARK SHIFT POSITION. OF COURSE I'M REQUIRED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED EVEN THOUGH IT COULD PROBABLY BEEN FIXED RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE DECISION TO STOP GOING BACK TO THE DEALER IS BASED ON THE WORK THEY DID DO (SHABBY) AND THEIR NOT BEING ABLE TO FIX THE MAIN PROBLEM I TOOK THE CAR BACK INTO THEM. IS THE CAR SUPPOSE TO HAD A HIGH WIND NOISE - I WAS TOLD THAT WAS PART OF THE DESIGN AND THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THAT WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
719399
Incident
Oct 20, 1998
Interior & seatsVisibility
Filed Feb 24, 2000

#1 DOOR AJAR SWITCH,LIGHT IN DASH STAYS ON AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. #2 WINDOW DID NOT WORK AT ALL, REPAIRED BY DEALER, #3 WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP, TOOK TO DEALER, TOLD TO TAKE DOOR APART AND BEAT ON MOTOR, WAS ABLE TO GET WINDOW UP.

NHTSA ID
719211
Incident
Jul 23, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 22, 2000

DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT LOCK AND DOORS OPEN. WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER EXITING VEHICLE. ALSO, THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. FAILURES BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857303
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 8, 1999
Fire reported

BEFORE PARKING THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. WHILE PARKED, SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH, THEN FLAMES WERE COMING OUT, POLICE OFFICER PULLED THE FUSES/ BATTERY AND THEN FIRE WENT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
853871
Incident
Dec 3, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 4, 1999

THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON, AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USING THE POWER LOCK BUTTON WHEN THIS OCCURS.

NHTSA ID
714341

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .