Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Taurus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 4/3/2015 my mother in law pulled into the driveway after a 10 mile trip to town. Upon pulling in the driveway the car started on fire immediately, at first she thought the car was overheating (white smoke) then realized the car was actually on fire (black smoke). She had to be helped by an idaho power employee who was driving by. A total of two 15lb fire extinguishers and garden hose were used to keep the fire at bay until the fire department arrived. The car was destroyed from the dash panel forward. The fire department determined the fire started at the power distribution box located by the master cylinder on the firewall. The fire department determined the cause as an "electrical fire", up until the fire the car had no known electrical or major mechanical problems. The car had no modifications and was completely stock. …
Yesterday evening me and my family stopped at a gas station and my girlfriend went into the big Apple in canton, maine. She was in there for awhile and I had been sitting in the car with the engine running. I went in the store to see what was taking so long and while I was in there I heard the children screaming. All three of them were in the back seat and the car backed up by itself and I ran out of the store after it. It ran into a telephone pole and I immediately demanded to know who touched the car. Nobody had, the car was still in park. It must of backed up about 10 to 15 MPH before hitting the pole. If the pole had not of been there the car would of crossed rt. 108 and could of been hit by traffic. My children were so scared they wouldn't get back in the car.
I have advised Ford motor co of a potentially dangerous condition identical to condition found in recall # 97v-097nsa-111paw, Ford # 97s75. The only difference is that transmission fluid leaking from the servo cover is caused by the cover becoming perforated by rust. This on a 1997 Ford Taurus which has been well taken care of but driven in vermont & new hampshire where salt is used during winter snows. Ford motor co declined any participation because my car doesn't fall into the production category of the recall. The symptoms and leaking of oil against the catalytic convertor when driving are the same as those described in the recall. To this end, the first rust through problem occured with the oil cooler line which rusted out previously and have been replaced. …
Dt: consumer has 40000 miles on vehicle and vehicle had to 3 transmissions. Consumer was driving to florida on the interstate and the vehicle stopped. Vehicle was towed because it would not pull. This was at 27, 000 miles. At 40000 miles the vehicle was leaking transmission fluid in the garage. Vehicle is in garage to have the power steering rack replaced, when consumer was told that the leak was transmission fluid he needed a new transmission. Vehicle has been to dealer often for different repairs. Consumer was told that there was no warranty. Consumer has had all recalls repaired on vehicle. Dealer told consumer that there May be something else in car causing transmission to fail. Vehicle is driven less than 4000 miles a year. Vehicle was purchased used with about 20,000 miles. Consumer owned vehicle for 6 years. …
I purchased my Taurus in dec. 2004 needing new heads for the engine. Before I could drive it in the cold weather I had to let it idle for about 20 mins or it would slip and I would only be able to go 15mph. Mechanic took to transmission shop but they found nothing wrong. I didn't drive the car for six months at a time (2xs) and the transmission is slipping even more now. Motor mounts also need repaired since my engine is jerking back and forth when I press on the pedal. The front passenger tire feels like it wants to fall off when driving 70mph on the freeway. My daughter and I are moving from phx.,az to ft. Hood,texas to be with my brothers wife while he is in afghanistan. Do you think I can at least make it to texas without it stranding us. Because with all things aside that car has been through a lot with me. I love my Ford! …
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.
1997 Taurus with 75000 miles, bought new. Transmission began slipping into neutral when coming to a stop. Then would either bang into gear when accelerating, or would have to place the car in park, turn off the engine, restart the engine, and place it in drive. Often all would be fine for 2-3 weeks, then the transmission would act up again. After three or four months of this the transmission began slipping when accelerating from a dead stop. There are no unusual noises, the transmission fluid is clean and full, and the transmission appears to shift fine once I get going. I called Ford motor company and they have no recalls or known defects (of course). The dealer urged me not drive the car and bring it into the shop right away. He said it would likely cost between $1300 and $2600 to repair.
The Taurus was parked at dz middle school on a slightly sloped part of the driveway with the transmission selector lever indicating park and the engine turned off. The linkage connection on the transmission had failed and allowed the selector lever to indicate that the transmission was in park when the transmission was actually in neutral. The driver then went into the school building and upon returning a few minutes later found that the car had rolled approx 150 yards down the driveway, across a street, through a bus turn-around, down a 15 foot embankment, and into a ditch. Fortunately there were no occupants in the car and it was at night so there were no kids along the driveway or on the street.
97 Ford Taurus when in park the car will still roll forward until you apply the brake,there is a recall on this #96s50 local Ford dealer was helpful but said my [redacted] could not be found under this recall but the car is doing the same thing as recall states. They said they didn't really no what to do so that's when I called your number and they said I could file a complaint on line .no one has been injured by this yet,but I would really like to get this took care of,any help you could offer would be great. Thank you. Updated 07/17/2012
I have a 1997 Ford Taurus lx. I was on my way to las vegas when the transmission began to slip and sometimes not work at all. I had to turn around and head home(in order to not get stranded in vegas) and on the way the transmission started to not work at all. I was forced to drive about 45 MPH the whole 3 hours back to my home on the highway. This was very dangerous. I have made numerous calls and everyone I have talked to have said that year Taurus has been known to have transmission problems...why does Ford not recall the transmission?
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Transmission complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 214 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Ford Taurus, 28% of the model year's 770 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (171 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Taurus transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-097 (automatic transmission, Jun 9, 1997); NHTSA recall 96V-166 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 5, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Taurus transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.