Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford Taurus. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FORD/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. 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.
- Consequence
- THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (800)
800 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 800 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 217 | 27.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 168 | 21% |
| Service brakes | 74 | 9.3% |
| Electrical system | 64 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 60 | 7.5% |
| Steering | 59 | 7.4% |
| Visibility | 57 | 7.1% |
| Air bags | 43 | 5.4% |
| Fuel system | 32 | 4% |
| Suspension | 30 | 3.8% |
How 1997 compares with other Taurus years
Best and worst Taurus years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1,571 | 8 |
| 1994 | 934 | 6 |
| 1995 | 1,214 | 7 |
| 1996 | 849 | 6 |
| 1997 | 800 | 3 |
| 1998 | 555 | 2 |
| 1999 | 895 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1,195 | 8 |
| 2001 | 1,037 | 9 |
| 2002 | 1,426 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 / 24 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 Taurus for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1997 Ford Taurus FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Taurus have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 98V028000 (lighting), 97V097000 (power train), 96V166000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 Ford Taurus problems?
Owners filed 800 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (217), Engine and engine cooling (168), Service brakes (74) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 Ford Taurus get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1997 Taurus compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2002 Ford Taurus model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (555) and the 1993 the most (1,571). The 1997 drew 800. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.