Ford Taurus SHOModel year report

1997 Ford Taurus SHO Problems

Complaints: 30filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 86,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 18 mpgcombined, 3.4L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 23 complaints (77% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and brakes (2). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “A ticking noise could be heard from the engine compartment especially when the car was in idle. I talked to a Ford dealer and was told that the camshaft problem was affecting my car. I was quoted around $6000.00 for the repairs. I did som research and found that the secondary drive gears for the camshafts were the source of the noise.”

NHTSA complaint #10016927, filed 2003-05, 69,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Accelerated as normal to 30mph, released the accelerator pedal, and the car kept accelerating up to at least 50mph. Failed to steer 90 degrees left, resulting in the car jumping the curb. Lost control in damp grass, and ran into a tree.”

NHTSA complaint #10471407, filed 2012-08, 122,000 miles

Electrical system: “My car caught on fire . It was parked at 8 p.m on sat 2/05/04 and at around 4 a.m 0n 2-06-05 I look out the window and my car was engulfed in fire the fire started in the front and worked its way towards the back.”

NHTSA complaint #10110353, filed 2005-02, 96,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

10% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 69,000 and 105,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 86,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Ford Taurus SHO version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
Taurus SHO FWD	3.4L 8-cyl	4-speed automatic	15	24	18	$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO.

Other model years of the Ford Taurus SHO

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
1999	21	78,228	0	—	18	—	Stable
1998	10	82,878	0	—	18	—	Not enough data
1997	30	86,000	0	—	18	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1996	24	93,642	0	—	18	—	Stable
1995	9	114,575	2	—	19	—	Not enough data
1994	11	110,000	2	—	19	—	Not enough data
1993	14	107,314	2	—	19	—	Not enough data

All Ford Taurus SHO model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO have?

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 23 complaints (77% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.

Has the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO (Taurus SHO, 3.4L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Ford Taurus SHO reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,000 miles and the middle half falls between 69,000 and 105,000 miles; 10% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.