Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Random changes in the windshield wiper speed, regardless of setting. Hazard signals failed or only one side flashing. Turn signal failure (of exterior and interior console lights). Failure of interior lighting to turn off after doors closed. Failure of power windows (all four). Short in electrical system resulting in required replacement of gem module. Turn signal/wiper controls replaced. Gem module replaced.
The steering wheel makes a noise when I turn right at times. I haven?t had it fixed yet. Sometimes my window on the drivers front won?t roll down. It hasn?t been fixed. The car wouldn?t go forward when you had to stop at a stop sign or light. The transmission has been fixed. The forward clutch piston had to be changed. I couldn?t drive it further as it wouldn?t go forward after I stopped.
Right rear window won't always close after opening. Transmission slips during low speed starts through intersection or parking lot. Feels like it is in neutral. Then when transmission engages, it suddenly lurches chirpping the tires.
The car had been pre-inspected for lease-turn-in in jan 1999, and then remained parked until feb 8, 1999. At the time of the inspection there was no visible damage to the windshield. On feb 8, 1999, there was a large crack in the windshield, originating from the top center of the windshield, down 4 inches and trailing off 4 inches to the left. The windshield was inspected at the time of replacement, and no chip marks or trauma to the glass was found. Glass installer stated that the crack was a stress failure. While driving at night both headlights went off at 55 MPH. After stopping, shutting off the car and restarting, they came back on. Also, the passenger side headlight become disconnected on several occasions.
While driving on i95 during a rainstorm, I experienced a total failure of the windshield wipers when I activated my left directional signal. Visibility suddenly became zero and I narrowly avoided a serious crash. I finally was able to restore partial use of the windshield wipers by switching on my high-beam headlights. I tried this procedure because the headlights as well as the directional signals are all controlled by the same handle. I believe there is a defect inside the stalk that houses the wiring for these controls. I have rarely used this car in the rain ( there has been a virtual drought in my area) and this is the first real workout of the wipers.
The consumer states that the windsheild wipers while on high or low speed will go into intermittent mode. Which started happening after he had purchased the vehicle. (each time he would take the vehicle in for repairs, it would work okay) the consumer had taken the vehicle back to the dealer and it went on intermittent mode while on high or low speed wiper mode. They installed switch part #xw3z-13359-caswitch 357698-1ea, which worked for a while, but eventually started again.-some what after repair, but less than often
The windshield wipers are multi-speed, but they only run on slow. You have to turn them off and on several tmes to get them to work right.the ignition switch was replaced because when you took the key out the accessories continued to run like the radio would keep on playing with no key in the car .they changed the ignition switch and it helped for a few thousand miles but now the car is out of warranty and the problem is back again.also I am having problems with the power windows.
Power steering intermittent failure; first began when placing shift lever into reverse gear, then later occurred also in forward drive gears. Suspect electrical/electronic problem since radio speakers also go silent and power windows do not operate when this occurs. Discovered that removal of 15amp fuse controlling backup lights/heater return power steering and radio control. All other fuses working properly. Dealer is not yet contacted.
Consumer states that the vehicle has problems with the windshield motor wiper also states that the dealer has been notified. *mrwhile operating on high or low speed, will go to interval wiper mode. Consumer has taken vehicle to the dealer several times. Finally, the dealer was able to duplicate the problem and a switch was installed. Some time after the repair, the problem started again, this time not as often.
Door ajar light on dash stays on. Sometimes ocasionally it goes off, interior lights won't go off because of it, resulting in a dead battery, back window doesn't always work, engine check light goes on and off. The dealer thinks I'm crazy cause whenever I take it in to be repaired the lights are all off. They told me it was a relay switch and they said they fixed it and it still is broken.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Taurus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Ford Taurus?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Ford Taurus, 6% of the model year's 770 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Taurus window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1997 Ford Taurus, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Taurus window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles.
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.