1997 Ford Taurus engine problems
Owners reported engine problems in 127 complaints for the 1997 Ford Taurus, 13% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 127 13% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 108,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 1
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 21 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 108,000 miles, and 19% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 7 fires, 2 injuries, 1 death.
What owners wrote
Car is in shop having 2 cracked heads replaced. Mechanic was advised to keep all parts for further investigation. The ford taurus 3.8 engine has an extended warranty because of head gasket failure. The ford company told me that the 3.0 engine was built in atlanta ga. And there were no recalls on it.the alldata service bulletin 97-24-16 issued 11-24-94 said to simply extrapolate the 3.8l engine for the warranty extension on the 3.0.
Speedometer would stop operating and vehicle would stall after driving two miles. Vehicle had been to several repair shops. Each mechanic could not determine the problem. They informed consumer that it might be the catalytic converter or the oxygen sensor .
Other problems reported for the 1997 Ford Taurus
- Transmission 194 complaints
- Brakes 78 complaints
- Electrical system 67 complaints
- Steering 61 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 60 complaints
- Cruise control 58 complaints
- Cooling system 46 complaints
- Air bags 42 complaints