1997 Ford Taurus Complaint Log

HEADLIGHTS WOULDN'T GO OFF AT ALL. THE ONLY WAY WAS FOR TO LIFT HOOD UP AND DISCONNECT BATTERY TO CABLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO OVERDRIVE. SERVO COVER COULD HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL, 97V097000, DEALING WITH TRANSMISSION SERVO COVER. ALSO, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSMER STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL HIS CLAIM WAS DENIED BY MANUFACTURER STATING THEY NEEDED A RECEIPT FOR EVERY 30,000 MILES SAYING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED, CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, HOWEVER THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS, AFTER THREE ATTEMPS TO FIX PROBLEM IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CLIP FOR 3-4 SHUTTLE VALVE BREAKS, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE CLIP.*JB

THE DPS OFFICER ALSO SAID THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: JNKNOWN)

CAMSHAFT SECONDARY SPROCKET FAILED, SPINNING ON THE CAMSHAFT TUBE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP INSTANTLY WHEN THE VALVE AND PISTONS TRIED TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE IN THE COMBUSTIAN CHAMBER. NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE, ONLY SALVAGE UNITS. REBUILDS, IF POSSIBLE ON THIS MODEL EXCEED $4800 AT THE VERY LEAST! I HAVE BEEN INFORMED WHILE PERFORMING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM THAT IT IS "A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MOTOR" ACCORDING TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MPH VEHICLE MADE A FUNNY NOISE, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ABOVE HIGH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, RADIO AND WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL GET TIGHT, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

RADIATOR LEAKS WATER AND CANNOT BE DRIVEN. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

CAR WAS AT A COMPLKETE STOP IN A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SUDDINLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLABLE FORWARD AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A TREE/. *AK

CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A NEW SEAT BELT WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED, WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT STILL DID NOT WORK, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER IN WHICH THE SEAT BELT WAS FIXED THE SAME DAY, CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING HOW THE CORRECTION WAS MADE WITHOUT ORDERING ANOTHER SEATBELT IN WHICH THE FIRST SEAT TOOK TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE.*JB

WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITENTLY FOR A FEW WEEKS. IT HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO TOTAL FAILURE. THE WIPER ASSEMBLY WILL NOT WORK ON ANY SETTING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING, JERKED BACKWARD, THEN FORWARD. THIS WAS CAUSED BY INTERNAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, PER THE DEALERSHIP. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK *SC

A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZED CAUSING DRIVEBELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF STEERING, ALTERNATOR, AND POWER BRAKES. *AK

CHECK ENGINE WENT ON AND ENGINE STOPPED ACCELERATING, RESERVOIR EMPTIED, DEALER SAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. TOOK TO A MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SPONTANEOUS OVERHEATING WHILE AT HJIGHWAY SPEED.*AK

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. WE ALMOST HAD A BAD ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE ENGINE DIED WITH NO WARNING ON A BUSY FREEWAY. IF IT IS A INGITION MODULAR PROBLEM ALSO I DON'T KNOW AT THIS TIME. I FEEL THIS VEH ENGINE SHOULD HAVE LASTED MORE THAN 91,334 MILES. IF FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE IT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE ANYMORE BREAKDOWNS OCCUR.*AK

THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME OF THE HEAD GASKET IN THEIR 3.0 ENGINE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO ADMIT IT. IN RESEARCHING THE ENGINE I FOUND THAT THERE IS A SECRET EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES FOR THIS PROBLEM IF THE ENGINE HAS MAJOR DAMAGE WHICH MINE DID.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVER VEHICLE. *AK

WE WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AND COMPLETELY STOPPED . WE HAD NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE THAT THE CAR HAD A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. MY DAUGHTER GAVE ME THE CAR SO I WOULD HAVE A "SAFE" VEHICLE TO DRIVE. SHE OWNED IT FOR THE 3 YEARS PRIOR. BOUGHT WHEN IT WAS A YEAR OLD. WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL OR ADJUSTMENT FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM BY A KIT PROVIDED BY THE FORD COMPANY.THE FORD CO. HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100000 MILES ON THEIR FORD TAURUS 3.8 ENGINE BUT NOT THIS 3.0L ALTHOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS, BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, CRACKED HEADS, ETC. WOULD APPRECIATE SOME HELP. THIS AT LEAST MY 4TH FORM I FILLED OUT TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER FROM YOU. CAN I EXPECT ONE OR AM I JUST BLOWING IN THE WIND? LILLIAN C. CARSON. *AK

FORD PROVIDED A NO-CHARGE SERVICE PROGRAM, NUMBER 98B23 TO OWNERS OF 1996 AND 1997 TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L ENGINE. THE PURPOSE WAS TO CHECK THE COOLENG SYSTEM AND INSTALL A COOLANT BY-PASS KIT. THIS PROGRAM WAS ELIGIBLE THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 1999, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. ONLY FIRST OWNERS WERE CONTACTED. MY DAUGHTER AS 2ND OWNER WAS NOT. SHE GAVE ME THE CAR IN JUNE,2001 AND NEITHER ONE OF US HAD AN INKLING OF THE COOLANT PROBLEM. MY CAR ENGINE BLEW WITH NO WARNING. WE ARE LUCKY TO SURVIVE THE INCIDENT. FORD DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE INCIDENT. ALL THEY CAN SAY IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I THINK IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW SO THEY COULD TAKE CARE OF IT BEFORE IT CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONTACTED TO HEAR FROM YOU IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS.THANKS. *AK

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

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

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, ENGINE OVER HEATED, NO COOLANT LEFT IN RESEVOIR. NO LEAKS? LET COOL AND FILLED WITH 5 QUARTS OF COOLANT. LIGHT STAYED ON. DROVE TO FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. REPORT BACK WAS COOLANT CONTAMINATED WITH HYDROCARBONS (USED GAS). DEALER BELIEVES HEAD GASGET BLOWN OR CRACKED BLOCK. RECOMMEND REPLACE WITH LONG BLOCK. APPROX $4800. ASKED DEALER ABOUT ALLDATA SERVICE BULLITAN 97-24-16 AND EXTRAPOLATING TO THE 3.8L EXTENDED WARRANTY. DEALER SAID NO. NEVER RECIEVED NOTICE OF COOLANT PROBLEM THEY SAID OUT OF WARRANTY. NEED HELP.

WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT A LIGHT TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT LET CONSUMER GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK *SLC

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

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF HIM. HE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THE REAR CENTER SEAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST PLACE FOR A CHILD. UNFORTUNATLY THAT IS NOT THE CASE WHEN THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT FAILS. THANKFULLY THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN OUR CAR WAS SAFELY PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. MY HUSBAND HAD NOTICED THE CAR SEAT WAS LOOSE (WHICH IN ITSELF IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION CREATED BY THIS INPROPERLY FUNCTIONING SEATBELT BUCKLE) & HE TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE BELT. THE BUCKLE FELL TO PIECES ALL OVER MY BACK SEAT. IT IS GOING TO COST ME NEARLY $100 TO REPAIR THIS FAULTY SEATBELT. A SMALL PRICE FOR KEEPING MY SON SAFE (UNTIL THIS BREAKS AS WELL) . . . . BUT THIS IS GOING TO COST FORD EVEN MORE IF SOME UNSUSPECTING FAMILY IS INJURED BY THE VERY DEVICE THAT CLAIMS TO SAVE LIVES. *AK

TREAD SEPARATION CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL.

VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION WITHOUT SHAKING VIOLENTLY. 57500 MILES AT THE TIME, $1900 TO FIX IT. *AK ****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****749177.

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE WHEN VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS ABOVE 35-MPH ENIGNE WILL STALL. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

A RECALL FOR BROWN COOLANT HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THE BROWN COOLANT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND NOW WAS RUST. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED TWO FREEZE PLUGS, HOWEVER THE PLUGS USED ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL. THE NEW PLUGS WERE HELD ON WITH A CLAMP. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE RUST WAS ALREADY IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND AFTER TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES LATER THE CLAMP RUSTED OUT AND THE COOLANT POORED OUT OF THE CAR WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE CYLINDER TO CRACK AND BURN TWO HEAD GASKETS. APPARENTLY THEIR RECALL WAS A BANDAID THAT DIDN'T HEAL THE WOUND AND ONLY CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE OVER TIME.*AK

ERRATIC LOSS OF POWER ASSSITED STEERING AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING, SOMETIMES WITH SEAT BELT LIGHT ON AND POWER WINDOW CONTROL INOPERATIVE. CHATTERING NOISE SUGGESTS AN ELETRICAL PROBLEM. DEFINITELY DANGEROUS IF LOSS OR REGAIN OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING HAPPENS DUE TO OVER OR UNDER STEERING. *AK

THE ORIGINAL DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED AUGUST 3,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON AUGUST 25,2000.THAT MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON SEPTEMBER 26,2000.THE FIRST REPLACEMENT MOTOR WAS REPLACED WITH 45,431 MILES ON THE CAR. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY TURNPIKE FORD OF GALLIPOLIS,OHIO.I HAVE TO THINK THAT THEIR IS ANOTHER PROBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 25MPH. PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BROKE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS FAILING/TIMING IS OFF/NEEDS NEW MOTOR PER MY MECHANIC. *AK

I NOTICES THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. I TOO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH BROWN RUSTED COOLENT THAT CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT IT WILL COST APROXIMATLY $5000.00 TO REPAIR. THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE ENGIN, RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, WATER PUMP, ETC. THE SERVICE MANGER AT THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY POOR COOLING SYSTEM DESIGN THAT CAUSES A RUST BUILD UP AND THE EVENTUAL BLOWN HEAD GASKET. SINCE THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH MANY ACCOUNTS LISTED ON THE NHTSA, I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION AND THE POSSIBLE RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER (FORD).

TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE FAILED TO LOCK AND FAILURES CODE STARTED APPEARING AT 60,000 MILES. FORD DEALER INDICATED "MULTIPLE FAILURES" IN THAT SERIES. ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 70,000 MILES WHILE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. COST TO REPAIR WAS IN EXCESS OF $2,000. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, ALSO THE SEAT BELT UN-BUCKLED WITHOUT BEING DISENGAGED.*JB

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

THE REAR CAMSHAFT SPROCKET BROKE REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE USED ENGINE WAS $2000 AND THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $2100. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE REPAIR COST. I UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM IS BECOMING WIDESPREAD.

97 V 097 000/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION SLIPPING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *SLC

COOLANT IS LEAKING ONTO MOTOR. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE; HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE RAN OVER A POTHOLE AT 20-25 MPH ON A WET ROAD AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, AND PASSEGER'S AIR BAG BURNED OUT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. FELT LIKE BEING REARENDED. FINALLY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED BY MECHANIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEING NON REPAIRABLE.*AK *SLC

FORD REFERRED TO THEIR SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 98-3-7 WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON FAILURE I FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD VEHICLES AND THE ORIGINAL COMPONENT WAS MADE FROM ALUMINUM. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED AND FORD TO RECALL THIS PART. *AK

COOLANT DISCOLORATED( RUSTY AND BROWN) GOODYEAR MECHANIC EXPLAINED IT WAS WHAT IS CALLED "BROWN DEATH" CAUSED BY ENGINES NOT BEING PROPERLY PROCESSED AT FOUNDRY(POSSIBLY LEFT SAND AND METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE ENGINES. ENGINES OVERHEATS, COOLANT RUNS OUT FREEZE PLUGS BLOW OUT THERMOSTAT LOCKS UP WATER PUMP FAILS TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOESN'T REGISTER THAT ITS OVERHEATING

CONSUMER HAS HAD 2 INCIDENTS WITH VEHICLE ROLLING BACKWARDS AFTER BEING PUT IN PARK. DURING FIRST INCIDENT CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN PARK, VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND GOT OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN BACK TO VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS, AND HIT HER SON'S VEHICLE BEFORE SHE COULD GET TO IT. SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON 11TH OF MAY, AGAIN CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN PARK; BUT, THIS TIME WAS STILL INSIDE VEHICLE. ONLY WAY OF STOPPING WAS TO PUSH DOWN OF BRAKES AND PULL UP EMERGENCY BRAKE. POLICE HAD TOWING COMPANY TO COME OUT AND LOOK. THEY STATED EVERYTIME VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE OR PARK IT LOCKED GEARS UP. TRANSMISSION WAS ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEY ALSO FOUND GEAR CABLE WAS CUT. CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO PUT PARKING BRAKE ON FOR EACH NORMAL STOP. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO GET FORD TO COOPERATE WITH PROBLEM.*AK

RANDOMLY VEHICLE RACES AND SURGES FORWARD IF IT IS IN DRIVE. IF IN REVERSE, IT SURGES BACKWARD. CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. *YH

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS FOR 3 MONTHS, NOW IT JERKS VERY HARD AND RPM'S GET VERY HI BEING STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *AK