1997 Ford TAURUS SHO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
76,260 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 22 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 22.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 13.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2002: 5; 2003: 6; 2004: 2; 2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10059079 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 FORD TAURUS SHO USED.AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND SOME DISTURBING NEWS THE CAM SPROCKETS ARE WILL MORE THAN LIKLEY FAIL AND JUST TO METION FORD NEW THIS AND SCREWD PEOPLE. *AK ANYWAYS THE OTHER DAY ABOUT 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR I HEARD A TICKING NOISE THAT YOUASLLY AND MORE THAN LIKLY MEENS YOUR CAM HAS ALREADY FAILED IT JUST HASNT SLIPPED YET WHEN IT SLIPS YOU HAVE ANYWHERE FROM 4,000 TO 6,000 IN ENGINE REPAIR'S NOW MINE HASNT SLIPPED AND HOPEFULY IT WHANT BUT IT HAS THE TICKING…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106350 · 2005-01-14 (January 14, 2005)
ON DECEMBER 21, 2004 MY 1997 FORD TAURUS SHO BEGAN MAKING A TICKING NOISE. TWO DAYS (AND ABOUT 20 MILES) LATER, THE LEFT EXHAUST CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILED, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AND NOT RESTART. AS A RESULT OF THE SPROCKET SLIPPING, THE NO. 5 CYLINDER'S PISTON WAS CRACKED DUE TO COMING IN CONTACT WITH AN OPEN VALVE (THIS IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE). 15,000 MILES AGO, THE LEFT INTAKE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET FAILED, RESULTING IN A $2900.00 REPAIR BILL FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP. UNABLE TO AFFORD THE COST OF SUCH A REPAIR AT THIS TIME (NOT TO MENTION U…
Owner-reported narrative. 94,440 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138557 · 2005-10-04 (October 4, 2005)
1. DRIVING AT CITY TRAFFIC SPEEDS (25-30 MPH) IN PHILADELPHIA. CAR LOST POWER AND STALLED. UPON RESTART WOULD IMMEDIATELY STALL WHEN IDLE. 2. WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING, TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP 3. INFORMED BY FORD DEALER THAT THE CAMSHAFTS WERE BENT AND I NEEDED A REPLACEMENT ENGINE FOR $13,000.00. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218143 · 2008-02-15 (February 15, 2008)
CAM SPROCKET FAILURE. THIS LEAD TO THE ENGINE STOPPING AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8002462 · 2002-01-18 (January 18, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TRAVEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO NOT TAKE PRESSURE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE, REAR END, AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8002462 at NHTSA ↗