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1997 Ford Taurus Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1997 Ford Taurus has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front coil spring fracture puncturing tire.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1997 Ford Taurus.

Reported to NHTSA

Front coil spring fracture puncturing tire

SUSPENSION

13 NHTSA complaints · 2004-08 → 2012-04

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 4V332000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: COIL SPRINGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE 1999 MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10454824
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10299626
“FRT AND REAR SPRINGS ON MY 97 FORD TAURUS BROKE PREMATURE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10328930

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frame and subframe corrosion

STRUCTURE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2003-11 → 2012-08

“FRAME (MOTOR CRADLE) RUSTED RIGHT OFF BOTH SIDES AND LET THE FRONT END OF CAR DROP DOWN- PREVENTED STEERING VERY DANGEROUS-- HAPPENED IN DRIVE WAY LUCKILY. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10233234
“CLUNKING SOUND EMANATING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE, WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE ( SUB-FRAME ) WAS DANGEROUSLY ROTTED OUT. CRADLE REPLACED WITH ONE WITHOUT ROT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10392702
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING AN INSPECTION, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ON THE BASE WAS RUSTED, DEEMING THE VEHICLE AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NON-REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10440857

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system malfunction affecting lighting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

23 NHTSA complaints · 2003-03 → 2015-04

“HEADLIGHTS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING HEADLIGHT PLUG MELTS FROM OVERHEATING AND ELECTRICAL CONTACT IS LOST CAUSING LIGHTS TO GO OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10039600
“INTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT TURN OFF, THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AS IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED MORE THAN ONCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10143260
“IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED. AS A RESULT, THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10071844

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission failure and gear slippage

POWER TRAIN

44 NHTSA complaints · 2003-04 → 2015-04

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS JUMPSTARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10652038
“THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CONSUMER'S 1997 FORD TAURUS FAILED. *BF THE GEARS AND BEARINGS WERE EATEN UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10113315
“TRANSMISSION FAILURE,KEEPS SLIPPING AND SHIFTING UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVINGAT 65MPH. IT WILL SHIFT DOWN TO SECOND GEAR.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10020935

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake line corrosion and hydraulic brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

25 NHTSA complaints · 2003-07 → 2015-09

“1997 FORD TAURUS (1996-2005+) BRAKE LINE FAILURE. THE BRAKE LINES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR HAVE A CORROSION PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, UNDER THE CAR. THE LINES CORRODE SEVERELY AND THEN BURST UNDER PRESSURE. ALL BRAKING IS LOST AFTER THE FLUID LEAKS OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10293958
“BRAKE LINE BURST. CONTROL BECAME NONEXISTENT. GOT VERY LUCKY BRINGING IT HOME, ALTHOUGH I DID RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY GARAGE (BECAUSE THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK). *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10363415
“REAR BRAKE LINE RUST THROUGH. *NM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10175795

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Camshaft sprocket failure causing engine stall

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

42 NHTSA complaints · 2003-03 → 2010-03

“THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH THE CAM SHAFT FAIL. THE CAM SHAFT SLIPPED INTO THE MOTOR WHERE EVERYTHING JUST SHUTS DOWN. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10317632
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10168830
“ON AUGUST 18, 2002 I HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILURE. A WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.V8SHO.COM SHOWS 241 FAILURES THAT THEY CAN DOCUMENT. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10013946

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag failure to deploy or inadvertent deployment

AIR BAGS

14 NHTSA complaints · 2003-03 → 2005-11

“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HIT A RETAINER WALL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED ,AND IS CURRENTLY AT A SALVAGE YARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10141648
“WHILE PULLING FORWARD BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO BURN HIS HAND, AND THE WINDSHIELD TO BREAK. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10071967
“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THEY WERE HIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10012405

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle speed control system malfunction

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

16 NHTSA complaints · 2003-05 → 2021-03

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10851899
“CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT TURN OFF WITH BRAKE OR OFF BUTTON. ENGINE CONTINUES TO TRY TO MAKE THE CAR GO 65 MPH WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE. HAVE NOT USED CRUISE CONTROL SINCE ORIGINAL INCIDENT. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10037581
“WHILE BRAKING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD INTO THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10096896

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

747 crashes 1990–2024

How the 747 occupant deaths break down

517

driver deaths

230

passenger deaths

747

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1996 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

65

complaints mentioning a crash

16

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1997 Ford Taurus reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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