61 of the
1,003 complaints about the 1997 Ford Taurus are about the
steering — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
90,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE A FRAME SHEARED OFF AND LANDED ON TOP OF THE STEERING BOX, CAUSING STEERING LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE A FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10472899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 milesEdgewater, FL
STEERING
I PURCHASED MY 1997 FORD TAURUS IN FEBRUARY 2010, AND SHORTLY AFTER EXPERIENCED MY ODOMETER STOPPING AND MY POWER STEERING STOPPING AT THE SAME TIME. IT USUALLY HAPPENS IF I DRIVE THE CAR LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES, OR IF I SIT AT A STOP LIGHT TO LONG. IT ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR HIGHER. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP, AND I WILL FIND MY CAR MOVING FORWARD AFTER STOPPING. I HAVE GOTTEN USED TO STAYING A GOOD DISTANCE FROM CARS SO I HAVE ROOM TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10463622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EWA Beach, HI
STEERING
VEHICLE MAKES POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE NOISE IS GENERATED FROM TIE RODS OR RACK N PINION PROBLEM, WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED/REPAIRED ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10213219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesCaledonia, IL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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. ALL OTHER FUSES WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER IS NOT YET CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10204505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorena, TX
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1997 FORD TAURUS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. *MR THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT DUE TO THE WRONG AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10120360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, NC
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
I HAVE EXPERIENCE THE SAME LOST OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES,I HAVE ALSO NOTICE THAT WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL IT MAKES A SQUEAKING SOUND.HAD THE CAR CHECKED WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE LUBED.HAD IT LUBED CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING.A COWORKER HAS A 1997 FORD TAURUS LIKE MY CAR AND THEY ARE EXPERENCING THE SAME NOISES. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON.
NHTSA complaint #10110303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesGalion, OH1 injured
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1. STEERING AND POWER COMPLETELY FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING CAR 2. HAD REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT IT,SOMETHING ABOUT MODULE, 3. AFTER ABOUT 4 MO. STARTED SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, NO RESPONSE FROM DEALER OR FORD ABOUT MY CONCERNS,CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO HIT A TREE DAMAGING CAR HEAVILY AND CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO HIT HER HEAD RESULTING IN HEADACHES 4. HAD CAR REPAIRED FROM ACCIDENT AND LET IT GO BACK BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT 5. NOW WE'RE BEING CONSTANTLY HARASSED BY FORD MOTORS LAWERS WELTMAN,WEINBERG & REIS 323 LAKESIDE AVE. CLEVELAND 44113-1099, PHONE216.739.5081 WITH GARNESHMENTS NOW THEY TRYING TO GET OUR SOCIAL SECURITY.
NHTSA complaint #10106541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesMarshalltown, IA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
VEHICLE MOVING DOWN A HILL. POWER BRAKES AND STEERING LOST POWER,ENGINE STILL RUNNING, BUT NO POWER TO BRAKES OR STEERING. FINALLY STOPPED VEHICLE WITH NO INCIDENT. TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED, POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING RESTORED.*AK TOOK TO SERVICE.REPLACEMENT WAS MADE TO CAMSHAFT SENSOR. PROBLEM SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, BUT RETURNED ABOUT 6 MOS. LATER...SAME CIRCUMSTANCES,ONLY IN FIRST INCIDENT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10102885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesCanal Winchester, OH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT GEARS/STEER THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. *AK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INTERMITTENT, THE RADIO WOULD GO OFF WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE PROBLEM WOULD START WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF WITHOUT CAUSE. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10087207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
STEERING
TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE, SERPENTINE BELT FAILURE,CAM SENSOR & FALSE DISTRIBUTOR SHAFT, & MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN
NHTSA complaint #10069325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesST Louis, MO
STEERING
F YOU CAN REFERENCE THE "CAR TALK" ARTICLE FROM JULY 2002 IT EXPLAINS MY PROBLEMS TO A "T". NUMEROUS MECHANICS REPLIED TO THE ARTICLE AND "CAR TALK" RELAYED THAT INFO TO ME. MY TAURUS WAS 5 YEARS OLD WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. MY DRIVER'S SIDE BACK WINDOW STARTED CUTTING OUT AT TIMES. THEN MY RADIO STARTED CUTTING OUT ONLY WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THEN WHEN IN REVERSE AND SO ON TILL IT DIDN'T WORK. MY WIPERS ALSO HAD PROBLEMS AT TIMES. ALL THESE WERE MINER TILL MY POWER STEERING STARTED CUTTING OUT. THAT IS THE TIME I SAW THIS ARTICLE AND GOT THE INFO THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM. FORD REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING OR ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A TREND. I GOT THE SENSOR REPLACED BY ONE MECHANIC WHO STATED HE HAD MANY FORD CARS ON WHICH HE REPLACED THE SENSORS, ALL THE SAME YEARS- 97-98S. UNFORTUNATELY, HE DID NOT REPLACE THE CONNECTOR PIECE AND THE PROBLEMS RETURNED. I THEN PAID THE BIG BUCKS AND HAD A DEALER REPLACE THE PIECE. THEY, OF COURSE, SAID THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM AND WANTED TO DO ALL THIS TESTING. I SHOWED THEM ALL THE DOCUMENTATION ON WHAT I FOUND AND WHAT "CAR TALK" SENT ME. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE GETTING IT REPLACED. I AM INCENSED THAT FORD WOULD NOT RECALL A PIECE THAT ALLOWS YOUR POWER STEERING TO GO OUT. IF A RECALL OCCURS, I WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF IT. I AM OUT 300$.
NHTSA complaint #10069632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
STEERING:COLUMN
LTR FM M.L. MOODY (TX) RE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN A 1997 FORD TAURUS, REQUESTS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION . *MR THE RED LIGHT HAD COME ON THE DASH WHICH HAD INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE STEERING LOCKED UP FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MECHANICAL ERROR. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10052015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN A 1997 FORD TAURUS. REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. *PH PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE RED LIGHT HAD COME ON THE DASH WHICH INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FOUR INCIDENTS OF STEERING LOCK UP. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10051638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabeth City, VA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEN GEAR SHIFT IS IN REVERSE OR DRIVE,POWER STEERING GOES OFF, RADIO SOUND GOES OFF AND THE POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM I HAVE CONTACTED FORD THEY WOULD CHECK INTO THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET
NHTSA complaint #10007834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenner, LA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON FLAT SURFACE AND NO WARNING THE POWER STEERING WILL LOCK UP THEN DISENGAGE AND IT IS CAUSING IT TO BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ludlow, KY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ALL'S WELL IN PARK AND NEUTRAL, BUT WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE RADIO QUITS, INTERMITTENT WIPERS FAIL, WINDOWS WON'T WORK, LOSS OF ABOUT 75% OF POWER STEERING. PUT IT IN NUETRAL AND ALL IS WELL. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR. I FOUND 10 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE IN A 96 OR 97 FORD TAURUS.
NHTSA complaint #763445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Neosho, MO
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN REVERSE & DRIVE, RADIO GOES OFF, POWER ASSIST GOES OFF AT ANYTIME. VERY DANGEROUS. SOUNDS LIKE A REACCURING PROBLEM BASED ON REPORTS I HAVE SEEN. ELECTRICAL OF SOME SORT.
NHTSA complaint #761711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indnop, IN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DOME LIGHT STAYS ULUMINATED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT, CAUSING IT TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8005471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodhaven, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING LOST POWER STEERING. ONLY WARNING THAT WAS RECEIVED BY CONSUMER WAS A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #8004847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ringgold, GA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES POWER STEERING WILLGO FROM OFF TO ON INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED SENSOR WAS GOING BAD IN STEERING COLUMN. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8003425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
A/C COMPRESSOR SEIZED CAUSING DRIVEBELT FAILURE AND LOSS OF STEERING, ALTERNATOR, AND POWER BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #751813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indio, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THIS PROBLEM IS WITH TAURUS, SABLE & WINDSTAR, IT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED...NOW WHAT? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK TSB 98-9-4 WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, THE CORRECTIVE ACTION BEING TO REPLACED THE FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #749655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Amherst, NY
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #747511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Mifflin, PA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AN UNUSUAL NOISE OCCURS. SHORTLY AFTER, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #891129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stow, OH
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #743982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Takoma, WA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING MAKES A GRINDING SOUND WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. DEALER SAYS THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING IS WEARING OUT, AND WILL GO PERFORM BADLY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
NHTSA complaint #881822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Verona, NJ
STEERING:LINKAGES
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #740698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loudon, TN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY NORMAL SPEED POWER STEERING WILL KICK OUT SOMETIMES. ALSO, SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF/ DOOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND SPEED CONTROL WILL COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #878578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenixville, PA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
BOUGHT CAR 1-97 IN OCTOBER OF 97 TOOK IN TO DEALER FOR NOISE WHEN STEERING--SAID NOTHING WRONG IN JAN 98 TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD RACK AND PINION WAS MAKING THE NOISE--TOOK BACK TO DEALER THEY SAID RACK AND PINION SHOULD OF BEEN REPLACED BEFORE COMING OFF LOT BECAUSE OF SAFETY UPGRADE BUT WAS NEVER REPLACED!! SO THEY DID REPLACE IT---THEN IN 1999 TOOK CAR BACK FOR POWER STEERING LEAK--THEY COULD NOT FIND ONE--NOW I HAVE OBVIOUSLY LEAK WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES ON CAR--AND DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO HELP FIX SINCE MY WARRANTY IS OVER!! ANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS???
NHTSA complaint #734189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
STEERING
WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IT MAKES A POPPING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #782834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.