Model year guide

1997 Ford Taurus

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Ford Taurus is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 41 on record.

1997 Ford Taurus — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Ford Taurus at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints867
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$1,150

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1997 Ford Taurus recalls 5

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #98V028000 · 10/02/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #97V097000 · 09/06/1997

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) NHTSA Campaign #96V166000 · 05/09/1996

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1997 Ford Taurus common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 867 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

1997 Ford Taurus MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,025

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1997 Ford Taurus worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,150
High
$2,300

From 20 comparable 1997 Ford Taurus listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Ford Taurus costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,125
Fuel only$15,125
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Ford Taurus trims & engines on record

Trims
GL · G · LX · SHO
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 145 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 200 hp · 3.4L 8-cyl 235 hp

1997 Ford Taurus vehicles on record

1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP57U1VA279352 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U0VA142412 1997 Ford Taurus SHO1FALP54N7VA133129 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U1VA227629 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U5VG154603 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus LX1FALP53S9VA141921 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U4VG245443 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus LX1FALP53S7VG148069 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP57U2VA309698 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U2VA225873 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U0VA221353 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U5VA315180 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U6VG164847 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP57U1VG135328 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U9VA204356 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U2VG310564 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U5VA259757 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52UXVG167959 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP57U3VA196246 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U0VA285439 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U3VA301293 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U8VG283855 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus GL1FALP52U7VG300970 1997 Ford Taurus 1997 Ford Taurus G1FALP51U9VA314518

Other Ford Taurus model years

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996 1995 1994 1993

1997 Ford Taurus — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Ford Taurus have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 1997 Ford Taurus. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Taurus?

Based on 867 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, vehicle speed control, power train.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Taurus get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1997 Ford Taurus at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 1997 Ford Taurus worth?

Comparable 1997 Ford Taurus listings run roughly $500–$2,300, typically around $1,150 (from 20 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.